Air Fryer Denver Steak: The Perfect Quick Cooking Method

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy and tender piece of meat. The beauty of cooking steak in an air fryer is that you can cook different cuts in the machine, from filet mignon to skirt steak, and ribeye to Denver steak. You can also cook your steak to your preferred doneness, whether that's rare, medium or well done.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking a delicious Denver steak. Set your air fryer to 400°F/200°C and allow it to preheat fully. This will ensure your steak cooks evenly and efficiently.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak. It's important to let your steak come to room temperature before cooking, so remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook it. You can pat the steak dry and season it with salt and pepper, or a steak rub of your choice.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can place the steak inside. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will affect the cooking. Leave some space between the steaks to allow for even cooking.

Depending on the thickness of your steak, you'll want to cook it for 10-12 minutes, flipping it halfway through. For a medium steak, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F-145°F.

After cooking, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. Top with garlic butter for an extra indulgent touch.

Season the steak with salt and pepper

Seasoning your steak with salt and pepper is a simple yet effective way to add flavour to your Denver steak. First, pat the steak dry with a paper towel. Then, sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. You can also add a steak rub from your local grocery store or a specialty spice shop for extra flavour.

If you want to get creative, you can try using other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend.

Remember to let the steak come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will ensure that your steak cooks evenly and helps to retain moisture, resulting in a juicy and tender steak.

Once your steak is seasoned and ready to go, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes.

Air fry the steak for 10-12 minutes

When you're ready to air fry your Denver steak, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). It's important to grease your air fryer basket with a little oil before placing the steak inside.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the steak inside and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a medium steak, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F-145°F. If you don't have a thermometer, a thicker steak will take longer to cook.

After air frying, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your steak is juicy and tender. Top with a pat of garlic butter before serving.

Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes

Once your steak is cooked, it's important to let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your steak is juicy and tender.

While your steak is resting, you can prepare any toppings or sides. A pat of garlic butter is a popular choice, or you could try a garlic herb butter. If you want to add a little extra flavour, you can also add a steak rub or some simple spices like salt and pepper.

If you're cooking multiple steaks, it's a good idea to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will give the juices a chance to settle and prevent your steak from drying out.

Remember, the thicker the steak, the longer it will need to rest. So, if you're cooking a particularly thick Denver steak, you may need to adjust the resting time accordingly.

Top with garlic butter

To cook a Denver steak in an air fryer, you'll first want to preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the steaks in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. Top with garlic butter.

To make garlic butter, you'll need butter, garlic, and herbs. Soften the butter and mix in crushed garlic and chopped herbs. You can use any herbs you like, but parsley, rosemary, and thyme work well.

If you want to get fancy, you can add some lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice to the garlic butter. This will brighten up the flavour and add a bit of acidity.

When topping the steak with garlic butter, you can either add a pat of butter on top of the steak or melt the butter and drizzle it over the steak. If you want to get really indulgent, you can even add some extra herbs and garlic on top of the steak before serving.

The beauty of cooking steak in an air fryer is that you can cook different cuts in the machine. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness.

Frequently asked questions