Air-Frying A Sirloin Steak: A Quick And Easy Guide

Cooking a sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. Air frying is more convenient than grilling or pan-searing, as it is faster, less messy, and does not fill the kitchen with smoke. The air fryer is also a versatile option, allowing you to cook the steak to your desired doneness, whether you prefer it rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. To get started, simply preheat your air fryer, season your steak, and cook it for 10-15 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Let the steak rest for about 10 minutes before serving, and enjoy!

How to cook a sirloin steak in an air fryer

Choosing the right steak

Thickness:

Start by selecting steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and won't have enough time to brown properly. Steaks that are between 1 to 1.5 inches thick are ideal and will result in a juicier, more evenly cooked steak.

Cut:

Different cuts of steak offer varying flavors, textures, and levels of tenderness. For air frying, choose a cut that is naturally tender, such as sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, or top sirloin. These cuts tend to have a good amount of marbling, which adds flavor and tenderness to the steak.

Weight:

Look for steaks that are around 8-10 ounces each. A heavier steak may take longer to cook and might require adjustments to the cooking time.

Marbling:

Marbling refers to the amount of fat distributed throughout the meat. A well-marbled steak will render beautifully during cooking, resulting in a tender and juicy outcome with a flavorful exterior. When selecting your steak, look for cuts with a good amount of marbling to enhance the flavor and texture.

Room Temperature:

Allow your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking. Remove them from the fridge about 15-30 minutes prior to cooking. This helps the steaks cook more evenly and results in a better sear.

Dry Surface:

Before seasoning, use paper towels to pat your steaks dry. Removing excess moisture will help achieve a nice crust and browning.

Seasoning:

Keep it simple with salt and pepper, or get creative with spices and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs. A dry rub can also enhance the color and flavor of leaner steaks. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste!

Preparing the steak

Next, season the steak. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is classic, but you can also add other spices like garlic powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes for extra flavour. You can also add a dry rub to the steak, which will help with browning and overall colour, especially if your steak is on the leaner side. Don't forget to season both sides of the steak!

After seasoning, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush or spray the steak with olive oil or another neutral oil, which will help with browning and crisping. You can also add oil to the air fryer basket to prevent the steak from sticking.

Finally, place the steak in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space around it to ensure proper airflow. Depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your steak, cook the steak for 8 to 15 minutes for a 1-inch-thick steak, adjusting the time as needed for thicker or thinner steaks. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit, and for a medium steak, aim for 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This is an optional step, but it can help the steak cook more evenly. If you're short on time, you can skip this step and cook the steak straight from the fridge.

Next, pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick to the steak. Once the steaks are dry, season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or steak seasoning if you want to enhance the flavour. After seasoning, you can optionally brush the steaks with olive oil or another neutral oil. This will help the steaks brown and develop a nice crust.

Now it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius and preheat for about 3 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the steaks by placing them in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they are spaced several inches apart to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the steaks. Place the steaks in the centre of the basket or tray and set the timer. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time. If your steak is thicker than 1 inch, you'll need to increase the cooking time accordingly. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit, while a medium steak should be cooked to an internal temperature of 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your steak.

When the steaks are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate or cutting board. Loosely cover the steaks with foil and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This resting time is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.

While the steaks are resting, you can prepare any side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or potatoes. You can also make a compound butter by mixing butter with your choice of herbs and spices, such as parsley, chives, garlic, or rosemary.

Finally, after the resting period, slice the steaks against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Top the steaks with the compound butter and serve immediately. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer sirloin steak!

Resting the steak

After removing the steak, loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook in the air fryer basket. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes, but preferably 10 minutes, before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy and tender steak. During the resting time, you can prepare any side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or potatoes, or make a compound butter or garlic herb butter to top your steak.

The resting time also gives you the opportunity to check the final internal temperature of the steak using a meat thermometer. This is the best way to ensure that your steak is cooked perfectly to your desired doneness. For a more precise measurement, use a probe thermometer before air frying, and then again after resting, to ensure your steak is cooked just the way you like it.

Serving the steak

Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This is an essential step as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender steak.

While your steak is resting, you can prepare a compound or garlic herb butter to top it with. To make a compound butter, mash together butter with herbs like parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, or dill. For a garlic herb butter, mix butter with garlic, parsley, chives, rosemary, and any other herbs of your choice. You can also add a little spice to your butter by mixing in some crushed red pepper flakes.

After your steak has rested, slice it against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Top the sliced steak with the compound or garlic herb butter and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the butter to melt slightly and infuse even more flavor into the meat.

For a complete meal, serve your air fryer sirloin steak with sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or a fresh salad. Some specific side dish suggestions include roasted butternut squash, roasted green beans, air fryer brussels sprouts, or roasted broccolini. If you're craving something crispy, you can also air fry some potatoes for 1-2 minutes after the steak is done.

Your steak will now be ready to serve! Enjoy the juicy, tender, and flavorful experience of a perfectly cooked air fryer sirloin steak.

Frequently asked questions