Marianne Martinez
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender, juicy, and flavorful steak with a crispy exterior. The air fryer's high heat ensures even cooking and browning, making it a convenient option for a high-protein weeknight dinner. To cook a steak in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring your steak to room temperature by removing it from the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel, then brush or rub it with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a dry rub or a marinade for extra flavor. Once the air fryer is preheated, place the steak in the basket and cook for 10 to 13 minutes for a medium-rare steak, flipping it halfway through. For a well-done steak, you may need to cook it for up to 20 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak, which should be 130 to 135°F for medium-rare and 140°F for medium. After cooking, let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
How to cook a steak in an air fryer pro
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Ribeye, sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, t-bone, filet mignon |
| Steak thickness | 1 inch or thicker |
| Steak temperature before cooking | Room temperature for 20-25 minutes or 30 minutes |
| Air fryer temperature | 200°C/400°F |
| Air fryer preparation | Coat basket with cooking spray |
| Steak preparation | Pat dry, rub with oil, season with salt and pepper |
| Steak cooking time | 10-13 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, 20 minutes for well-done |
| Steak flipping | Halfway through |
| Steak resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Steak serving suggestion | Top with garlic herb butter |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of steak
First, it's important to understand that the cuts of steak running along the back of the cow, away from the "hoof and horn," tend to be the most tender and expensive. These include the ribeye, strip, tenderloin, and T-bone. The muscles in these areas see less exercise, resulting in more tender meat. On the other hand, cuts closer to the legs and shoulders, like brisket and beef shanks, are tougher due to the constant movement and support they provide to the cow.
If you're looking for a classic steakhouse experience, consider a T-bone steak. The T-bone is a large cut that offers two different types of meat: a tenderloin on one side and a strip steak on the other, giving you a range of flavors and textures in one cut. It's a popular choice in steakhouses for this very reason. A porterhouse steak is a variation of the T-bone, featuring a larger tenderloin portion.
For a premium, prestige cut, opt for the beef tenderloin. It is one of the least-used muscles in the cow, resulting in an unusually tender texture and minimal connective tissue. While it is a premium-priced option, it is worth noting that the thin membrane called the "silverskin" should be removed before cooking. Look for portions with a fresh, bright-red color and a nice marbling of fat for the best flavor and texture.
If you're a fan of ribeye steaks, you're in luck! Ribeye steaks are cut from the prime rib area, known for its flavorful fat content and perfect texture combination. They are typically between 3/4 and 1 1/2 inches thick, but for the best grilling results, choose a cut closer to 1 1/2 inches. Ribeye steaks can be very tender and juicy when cooked properly, making them a favorite for many steak enthusiasts.
Lastly, don't forget to consider the thickness of your steak when choosing a cut. Thinner steaks, less than 1 inch thick, may cook too quickly in an air fryer without achieving the desired browning. Aim for steaks that are at least 1 inch thick, with a little oil and a dry rub to enhance browning and overall color.
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Preparing the steak before cooking
Firstly, choose the right cut of steak. Some great options are New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Make sure your steaks are at least 1-inch thick; thinner steaks are prone to overcooking quickly and becoming chewy.
Before seasoning, it is recommended to pat your steak dry with a paper towel. This will help ensure even browning. If you have time, allow your steak to come to room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes before cooking. This will help the steak cook more evenly and result in a less tough texture.
Now it's time to season your steak. Brush or spray the steak with olive oil or another neutral oil, like butter. Make sure to coat both sides of the steak. Then, season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add other spices or a dry rub to enhance the flavor and browning. If you want to get fancy, you can make a garlic herb butter by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper.
Finally, preheat your air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and heat it for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. This step is crucial, as it ensures the outside of the steaks get nicely browned.
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking a steak that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It ensures that the outside of the steak gets a nice brown colour and helps the steak cook evenly. If you skip this step, the steak may end up grey and overcooked by the time the exterior browns.
To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for cooking steaks, as it will give them a perfectly golden brown colour on all sides. Depending on your air fryer model, it can take around 2 minutes to 10 minutes or more to preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak. It is recommended to allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking. Take the steak out of the fridge for at least 20 to 25 minutes or 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the steak cook more evenly and ensures a juicy and tender texture. During this time, you can also pat the steak dry with a paper towel, which will help ensure even browning.
Once the air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can proceed to the next steps of seasoning and cooking your steak. Remember to follow food safety guidelines and use clean utensils and surfaces when handling raw steak.
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Cooking the steak
Firstly, ensure your steak is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks are prone to overcooking and becoming chewy. Ideally, you want a steak that is around 1-inch thick and weighs around 1/2 a pound. Good options include New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon.
Before cooking, pat your steak dry with a paper towel. This will help ensure even browning. If you want to add seasoning, now is the time to do it. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or create a dry rub with spices such as kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. You can also marinate the steak in a dressing or marinade for extra flavor.
Once your steak is prepared, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Use tongs to transfer the steak into the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. You want to leave some space between the steaks to allow for even airflow and cooking.
Cook the steak for 10-13 minutes for medium-rare, flipping it halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness. For a well-done steak, you may need to cook it for up to 20 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. The thickest part of the steak should register 125°F for rare, 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium.
When the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in a more tender steak. You can serve the steak with a compound butter, such as garlic herb butter, or simply enjoy it with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
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Serving suggestions
There are a variety of ways to serve your steak cooked in an air fryer. You can let the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving it. You can also top it with a pat of garlic herb butter, compound butter, or any other sauce of your choice.
You can serve the steak with sides like jacket potatoes, baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables like green beans or asparagus. You can also serve it with chips, a seasonal green salad, or sweet potato fries.
If you have leftover steak, you can save it for tacos, fajitas, salads, sandwiches, etc. You can also serve it cold by slicing the steak thinly and letting it come to room temperature for a few minutes before adding it to a salad or making a steak sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and how well you want it cooked. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10 minutes and flip halfway for medium-rare. For a well-done steak, it could take up to 20 minutes.
Allow the steak to come to room temperature before cooking. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper before placing it in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for at least 10 minutes before adding the steak.
You have multiple options when it comes to choosing a cut of steak to cook in an air fryer. Some popular choices are ribeye, sirloin, New York strip, and filet mignon.
