Tiffany Haney
Cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly way to prepare a juicy and tender steak that's full of flavour. It's less messy than pan-searing, doesn't require firing up the grill, and won't heat up the whole kitchen like an oven. With just a few minutes of prep and less than 20 minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy a delicious steak dinner any night of the week.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Sirloin |
| Steak thickness | 1-1.5 inches |
| Steak weight | 8-10 ounces |
| Marinade | Olive oil |
| Seasoning | Salt and pepper |
| Cooking time | 6-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Toppings | Butter, garlic, herbs |
| Sides | Roasted vegetables, potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the steak: let it reach room temperature, season, and pat dry
Preparing the steak is a simple but important step in the cooking process. First, take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. This step is important for two reasons: it allows the steak to warm up before cooking, which helps it cook more evenly, and it also brings the steak to room temperature, which improves its texture and flavour.
While the steak is reaching room temperature, you can prepare the seasoning. A simple combination of salt and pepper is always a good option, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning. If you want to get creative, try adding a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter for a spicy kick. You can also marinate the steak to add flavour and soften the meat, but be careful not to use too much oil as this can cause your air fryer to smoke.
Once the steak has reached room temperature, it's time to pat it dry with paper towels. This step is important because it removes any excess moisture from the surface of the meat, which can prevent proper browning. After patting the steak dry, it's time to season it generously on both sides. Rub the surface of the steak with olive oil, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper, or your chosen seasoning mix. Make sure to coat the steak evenly on all sides for consistent flavour and colour.
Now that your steak is prepared, it's ready to be placed in the preheated air fryer. Remember not to overcrowd the basket, as proper airflow is essential for optimal browning. Place the steak in the centre of the basket or tray, making sure it doesn't touch any other steaks or the sides of the basket. This will ensure even cooking and browning. With the right preparation, your sirloin steak will turn out juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked every time.
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Preheat the air fryer and add the steak
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. You can also set it to a high heat setting if your air fryer doesn't have a temperature setting. This is an important step as it helps to get a good sear on the outside of the steak. While the air fryer is preheating, brush both sides of the steak with olive oil or another type of oil. Make sure the steak is well-coated. This will help with browning and ensure your steak doesn't dry out.
Next, season the steak. Sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, granulated garlic, cumin, or chilli powder. Be generous with your seasoning, as this will add flavour to your steak.
Now that your steak is seasoned and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to add the steak to the air fryer basket. Place the steak in the centre of the basket or tray, making sure it doesn't touch any other steaks to avoid overcrowding. This will ensure even cooking and browning. Set the timer for 8-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch steak, 10 minutes will give you a medium-rare steak, while 12 minutes will be medium. If you prefer your steak well-done, aim for 15 minutes.
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Cooking time: 6-15 minutes, depending on the thickness and desired doneness
The cooking time for your sirloin steak in the air fryer will depend on the desired doneness and thickness of the steak. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F and to let the steak come to room temperature before cooking.
For a rare steak, cook for around 6 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 125-130°F. If you prefer your steak medium-rare, increase the cooking time to about 8 minutes, aiming for an internal temperature of 135°F.
For a medium steak, you will need to cook it for 10-12 minutes, with an internal temperature of 140-150°F. If you like your steak medium-well, cook it for 12-15 minutes, aiming for an internal temperature of 150-160°F.
Finally, for a well-done steak, cook for around 15 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 160°F. It is important to note that the cooking time 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 kitchen thermometer to check the doneness and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
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Rest the steak: 5-10 minutes
Resting your steak is an essential step in the cooking process. Once your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. Let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes that you plan to serve with it. Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, butternut squash, or green beans are excellent choices. You can also cook potatoes, such as baked, sweet, or mashed potatoes, as a hearty side. If you're using an air fryer, you can even cook your vegetables and potatoes while the steak is resting.
If you're cooking multiple steaks, it's important to note that they should be cooked in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. So, while your first batch of steaks is resting, you can cook the second batch. This ensures that each steak is cooked properly and has a chance to rest before serving.
The resting time also allows you to finish preparing any sauces or toppings for your steak. A compound butter made with herbs like rosemary, thyme, dill, or chives is a delicious addition. You can also add a little spice with crushed red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you can serve your steak with sauces like chimichurri or creamy horseradish.
Finally, after the resting period, use a sharp knife to slice the steak against the grain. This ensures that the steak's fibers aren't tough or chewy, resulting in a more tender bite. Your steak is now ready to be served and enjoyed!
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Serve with sides: vegetables, potatoes, or a salad
When cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer, it's a good idea to plan some side dishes to serve with it. You can prepare vegetables or potatoes in the air fryer while the steak is resting, or even cook them at the same time if you have a double-layered air fryer.
Some vegetable side dish options include:
- Parmesan green beans
- Corn on the cob
- Bacon-wrapped asparagus
- Garlic butter mushrooms
- Sauteed onions
- Baby carrots
- Crinkle-cut fries
- Roasted butternut squash
- Roasted green beans
- Roasted broccolini
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
If you're after potatoes, you could try:
- Baked potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Air fryer loaded steakhouse potatoes
- Baby potatoes
- Potato slices
- Air fryer roasted potatoes
- Rosemary mashed potatoes
If you're not in the mood for vegetables or potatoes, a classic Caesar salad or a steak salad are always good options to serve alongside your air fryer sirloin steak.
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Frequently asked questions
First, let the steak reach room temperature, then pat it dry and season with salt and pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, then place the steak in the centre of the basket and cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve.
It is recommended that you let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes, but preferably 10 minutes, before serving. This ensures the steak stays juicy.
You can use a kitchen or meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. The temperature will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F, for medium-rare, 135°F, and for well-done, 160°F.
Air fryer sirloin steak pairs well with roasted vegetables, such as butternut squash, green beans, or potatoes. You can also serve it with a salad, such as a classic Caesar salad or a steak salad.
Sirloin steaks should be at least 1 inch thick, with the ideal thickness being between 1 and 1.5 inches. Thicker steaks will take longer to cook and will need to be adjusted accordingly.
