Air-Fried Ribeye Steak: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking a ribeye steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender steak. It's a hands-off method that doesn't require constant watching, and it's less greasy than traditional frying methods. You can cook a ribeye steak in an air fryer in under 15 minutes, making it a convenient option for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The key to success is using a meat thermometer to ensure the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to cook a perfect ribeye steak in your air fryer, from preheating the air fryer to seasoning and cooking the steak, and finally, serving it with delicious sides.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking a ribeye steak. While it may be skipped for other recipes, preheating is a must when cooking steak in an air fryer to achieve that desirable sear on the outside of the meat. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 3 to 7 minutes.

During this time, you can season your steak. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder generously on both sides of the steak. You can also add other seasonings or use a marinade if you prefer.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next step of cooking your ribeye steak. Remember to allow the steak to come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer for more even cooking.

After preheating, you can spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or another type of cooking oil, such as olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This step helps to prevent the steak from sticking to the basket and adds to the crispy exterior of the meat.

Season the steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder

Seasoning your steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. It is important to season generously, ensuring both sides of the steak are covered. You can use a variety of seasonings, but for a classic flavour combination, use salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Salt is a fundamental seasoning, enhancing the natural flavour of the steak. It is best to use a high-quality salt, such as sea salt flakes, to bring out the rich, savoury taste of the meat. Pepper adds a sharp, pungent flavour to the steak, creating a pleasant contrast with the salty notes. Garlic powder, meanwhile, contributes a savoury, slightly sweet taste that complements the other seasonings.

When seasoning, be sure to sprinkle the spices evenly over the surface of the steak, using your fingers or a spoon to ensure a generous coating. You can also gently rub the spices into the meat with your fingers to help them adhere better and ensure a more intense flavour.

After seasoning, it is important to let the steak come to room temperature before cooking. This ensures more even cooking, resulting in a juicy and tender steak. Depending on the thickness of your steak, this process can take up to 30 minutes.

Cook for 5-8 minutes each side

Cooking a ribeye steak in an air fryer is a fast, easy, and delicious way to prepare a juicy steak. It is a convenient method that allows you to cook a tender steak without having to constantly watch it or deal with the mess and smoke of a grill or pan.

To cook a ribeye steak in an air fryer for 5-8 minutes on each side, follow these steps:

Preparation:

• Start with a room-temperature steak. Take the steak out of the fridge 15-30 minutes in advance.
• Pat the steak dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is especially important if you have marinated the steak, as it will help prevent excess moisture from affecting the cooking process.
• Season both sides of the steak generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings or a marinade of your choice. Some people like to use soy sauce, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
• If desired, you can insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the steak before cooking. Set the thermometer to your desired doneness temperature.

Cooking:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating is essential for cooking steak in an air fryer, as it helps achieve an even cook and a nice sear on the outside of the meat.
• Spray the air fryer basket with a light coating of avocado oil, vegetable oil, or another high smoke point oil. This will prevent the steak from sticking and help create a crispy crust.
• Place the steak in the air fryer basket. If you are cooking multiple steaks, make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cook in batches if needed.
• Air fry the steak for 5-8 minutes. The exact time will depend on your desired doneness and the thickness of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 5-6 minutes, and for a medium steak, cook for 7-8 minutes.
• Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time. This will ensure even cooking on both sides.

Resting and Serving:

• Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or plate.
• Wrap the steak loosely in foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. This step is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak. It also helps the steak reach your desired temperature without overcooking.
• After resting, you can top the steak with a pat of butter, such as compound butter, and fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
• Slice the steak and serve it with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!

Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak is cooked to your desired doneness.

Let the steak rest for 5 minutes

Once your steak is cooked to your liking, it's time to let it rest. This is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This will result in a more flavorful and tender steak. The general rule of thumb is to let the steak rest for about 5 minutes for every inch of thickness. For example, if your steak is 1-inch thick, let it rest for 5 minutes. If it's 1.5-inches thick, 7 minutes would be ideal.

During the resting phase, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise. This is known as "carryover cooking." For instance, if you remove your steak from the air fryer at 130°F for a medium-rare steak, it will continue to cook and reach 135°F while resting. This is because the outer parts of the steak that were exposed to the heat will begin to equalize with the cooler center, ensuring a consistent temperature throughout the steak.

To rest your steak, transfer it to a cutting board and loosely tent it with foil. This will help retain some of the heat while still allowing the steak to breathe. If you prefer, you can also wrap the steak in foil, ensuring it doesn't dry out. However, some sources suggest leaving the steak uncovered to rest, which will result in a crispy outer crust.

While the steak is resting, you can prepare any final touches, such as melting some butter to pour over the steak or chopping fresh herbs like parsley or chives to sprinkle on top. You can also use this time to prepare any side dishes to serve with your steak, such as a side salad or roasted vegetables.

Top with butter and fresh herbs

Once you've cooked your ribeye steak in the air fryer, it's time to top it with butter and fresh herbs. But first, let the steak rest. This is an important step, as it ensures that your steak is juicy. Tent the steak with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Now, it's time to add the butter. A pat of butter on top of a steak as it rests will add a rich, creamy flavour. You can use regular butter or, for a dairy-free option, go for vegan butter. If you're feeling fancy, you can make a compound herb butter to put on top. This will take your steak to the next level.

When it comes to fresh herbs, you have a few options. Parsley is a great choice, as it adds a bright, fresh flavour to the dish. Chives are another option; their mild onion flavour can complement the steak perfectly. If you want to get creative, you can experiment with other herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Don't be afraid to get generous with the butter and herbs. This is your steak, so make it just the way you like it. Enjoy your air-fryer ribeye steak!

Frequently asked questions