Emilie Meyer
Cooking a sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak. The air fryer is a convenient method for cooking steak, especially when outdoor grilling is not an option. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can have a delicious steak dinner in under 20 minutes. The key to success is allowing the steak to come to room temperature before cooking, patting it dry, and seasoning generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a dry rub for extra flavour and colour. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C and cook your steak for 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 135°F/52°C. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before serving, and don't forget to slice against the grain!
How to cook a sirloin steak in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Sirloin |
| Steak thickness | 1-1.5 inches |
| Steak weight | 8-10 ounces |
| Steak temperature | Room temperature |
| Steak seasoning | Salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, etc. |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F/200°C |
| Air fryer time | 10-15 minutes |
| Steak doneness | Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done |
| Steak temperature after cooking | 125-160°F/52-71°C |
| Steak resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Steak serving suggestions | Baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad, French fries, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right steak
Thickness:
Start with steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too quickly and won't have the chance to brown properly. The ideal thickness for air fryer steaks is between 1-1¼” inch. If your steaks are thinner or thicker, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Room Temperature:
Allow your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking. Remove them from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking so they are not fridge-cold when you start. This helps the steaks cook more evenly and ensures a consistent doneness throughout.
Dry the Steak:
Use paper towels to pat your steaks dry before seasoning them. Removing excess moisture will help the steaks brown properly during cooking. It also ensures a nice sear on the surface of the steak.
Marbling and Cut:
When choosing a steak for air frying, look for cuts that are tender and have a good amount of marbling. Marbling refers to the fat distributed throughout the meat, which adds flavour and juiciness. Sirloin is a great choice as it offers a good balance of flavour and price. Other recommended cuts include ribeye, known for its rich flavour and tenderness, and filet mignon, which is exceptionally tender and flavourful.
Weight:
Aim for steaks that are around 8-10 ounces or about 1/2 pound in weight. This ensures that the steaks are not too small and provides a good portion size.
Doneness:
Consider your desired doneness when choosing your steak. If you prefer your steak rare, look for thicker cuts that can withstand the heat without overcooking. For medium or well-done steaks, thinner cuts may be more suitable as they will cook through more quickly.
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Preparing the steak
Once the steak has reached room temperature, pat it dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps the steak brown and ensures a crispy texture. Next, brush or rub both sides of the steak with olive oil or another neutral oil. The oil adds flavour, helps form a crust, and allows seasonings to stick to the steak.
After the steak is coated in oil, it's time to season. Season the steak liberally and to your taste with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning. If you want to get creative, add a dry rub or a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavours and create a caramelized crust.
Now that the steak is seasoned, it's ready to be cooked. Place the steak in the centre of the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring it doesn't touch any other steaks to allow for even cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 to 5 minutes, or follow the instructions for your specific air fryer model.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. As a guide, for a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare, and 12 to 15 minutes for medium. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker steaks or if you prefer your steak rare or well-done. Don't forget to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time!
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking a juicy and tender sirloin steak. It ensures your steak gets a nice sear on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. Depending on your air fryer model, you can either use the preheat setting or simply turn on the air fryer to your desired temperature for 3 to 5 minutes. Aim for a temperature of 400°F/200°C.
If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can manually preheat it by turning it on and letting it run at the desired temperature for a few minutes. This will ensure that your air fryer basket or tray is hot before you place your steak inside. This is a crucial step in getting that perfect sear on your steak.
It is also important to ensure that your steak comes to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer. This can be done by taking the steak out of the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes prior to cooking. This step is worth the wait as it helps the steak cook more evenly.
Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to seasoning your steak and placing it in the air fryer basket or tray. Remember to give the steak enough space so that it cooks evenly. Now you are ready to cook your delicious sirloin steak to perfection!
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Cooking the steak
Firstly, take your sirloin steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. This will ensure your steak cooks evenly. While you wait, you can prepare any side dishes.
Next, pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Then, brush or rub both sides of the steak with olive oil or another neutral oil. This will help the seasoning stick and give the steak a nice crust. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, or your chosen seasoning. You could also add a dry rub, or a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavours.
Now you can preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3-5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply turn it on for 5 minutes at the desired temperature.
Place the steak in the centre of the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space for airflow. If your basket is small, you may need to cook the steaks one at a time. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, for medium-rare. For a thicker steak, increase the cooking time accordingly. You can check the steak's progress with a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be 125-135°F.
When the steak is done to your liking, transfer it to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to settle. While the steak is resting, you can prepare a compound butter by mashing together butter with your choice of herbs and spices. Finally, slice the steak against the grain and serve with the compound butter.
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Resting and serving the steak
Once your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's time to let it rest. Remove the steak from the air fryer basket 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 at least 5 minutes, but preferably 10 minutes, to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender steak.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any desired toppings or sides. If you're topping your steak with garlic herb butter, as suggested by several sources, now is the time to mash together butter with your choice of herbs and spices, such as parsley, chives, garlic, rosemary, or thyme. You can also use this time to prepare some side dishes to serve with your steak. Simple vegetable side dishes are often recommended, such as salads, potatoes, asparagus, green beans, or French fries. If you're cooking your sides in the air fryer, you can prepare roasted vegetables or potatoes while the steak is coming to room temperature before cooking, and then finish them off in the air fryer while the steak rests.
After the steak has rested, it's time to slice and serve. To get that restaurant-quality presentation, slice the steak against the grain into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Top with your chosen toppings or sauces, such as garlic herb butter, chimichurri, steakhouse mushrooms, or creamy horseradish.
Finally, enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer sirloin steak! Remember that the steak's temperature will continue to rise by about 5-10 degrees as it rests, so if you prefer your steak on the rarer side, take it out of the air fryer a few degrees before it reaches your desired internal temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker or thinner steaks.
Allow the steak to come to room temperature for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transfer the steak to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender steak. You can top the steak with garlic herb butter or any other compound butter of your choice before serving.
