Emilie Meyer
Cooking the perfect fillet steak in an air fryer is straightforward, but there are some common problems that can arise. The key to a juicy, tender steak is to air fry straight from the fridge, rather than letting the meat come to room temperature. However, if you want a less tough steak, you can leave it out of the fridge for 20-25 minutes before cooking. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and how well-done you like it. To avoid overcooking, keep an eye on the time and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If your steak is sticking to the basket, you're probably not using enough oil or a non-stick cooking spray. To serve, fillet steak goes well with roasted vegetables, a baked potato, or a refreshing salad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Fillet steak |
| Steak cut | Filet mignon |
| Steak size | 8oz |
| Marinade | Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar glaze, salt |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme |
| Cooking temperature | 190-205 °C |
| Cooking time | 8-14 minutes |
| Steak doneness | Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done |
| Steak temperature | 120-160 °F |
| Resting time | 3-5 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Roasted vegetables, herb butter, salad, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, fries, baguette, melted cheese |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures for different levels of doneness
The cooking time for fillet steak in an air fryer depends on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak. It is important to preheat the air fryer before adding the steaks, and to ensure that there is space between them to allow hot air to circulate.
For a rare steak, cook at 400°F for 9-10 minutes, aiming for an internal temperature of 120°F. If you are looking for a medium-rare steak, increase the cooking time to 10-11 minutes, or 130°F. For a medium steak, cook for 11-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
If you prefer your steak medium-well, you will need to cook it for 11.5–13 minutes, or until it reaches 150°F. Finally, for a well-done steak, cook for 14 minutes at 400°F, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillet steak, as well as the capacity of your air fryer. To avoid overcooking or undercooking, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. Additionally, for a more well-done steak, you can increase the cooking time by around 1 minute per side.
Air Fryer Frozen Sausage: Quick, Easy, Delicious
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to season and prepare the steak
The first step to preparing your fillet steak is to decide whether to cook it straight from the fridge or to let it come to room temperature. While some sources recommend allowing your steak to rest for 20-25 minutes before cooking, others suggest that cooking it straight from the fridge is the key to a juicy, tender steak.
Next, you'll want to season your steak. You can use salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil or avocado oil. Brush both sides of the steak with your chosen oil, then season generously. You can also add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze. If you have time, you can let your steak sit with the marinade for an hour before cooking.
If your steak has a thick layer of fat, you may want to trim some of it off before cooking, as it can take longer to cook and you don't want your steak to be overdone before the leaner parts are ready.
Finally, make sure your air fryer basket is lightly coated with oil or non-stick cooking spray to prevent your steak from sticking.
Air-Fryer Spinach: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to prepare the air fryer basket
Preparing the air fryer basket for cooking fillet steak is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your steak cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the basket.
Firstly, ensure your air fryer basket is large enough to fit your steak. If you are using a smaller capacity air fryer, you may need to cook the steak in batches. If your steak has a thick layer of fat, trim some of it off before cooking, as it can take longer to cook and you don't want your steak to be overdone before the rest is ready.
Next, lightly coat the basket with oil or use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the steak from sticking. Place the steaks in the basket, leaving a little room around the sides and between them for the hot air to circulate. If your basket has limited space, fold the steaks as needed.
Finally, if you are cooking chunky chips or another side dish in the same drawer as your steak, be sure to place the steak in the top drawer of your air fryer, so that the juices from the steak don't drip onto the chips.
Ceramic Bowls in Air Fryers: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What to serve with the steak
Now that you know how to cook the perfect fillet steak in an air fryer, it's time to think about what to serve with it. Here are some ideas for sides and accompaniments to elevate your steak dinner:
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables make a great side dish for steak. Carrots, broccoli, asparagus, and brussels sprouts are all excellent options. You can also try something different like grilled broccolini or roasted carrots with honey-herb butter. For a lighter option, serve your steak on a bed of mixed greens with a refreshing salad.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic side dish for steak, and there are many ways to prepare them. You can keep it simple with mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes. For a more indulgent option, try loaded baked potatoes, potato gnocchi, or even sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer. If you're looking for something fun and different, try making potato-based dishes like mac & cheese or potatoes au gratin.
Fries
Steak and fries are a classic combination. You can make crispy steak fries or sweet potato fries in your air fryer with seasonings like parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, garlic powder, or cumin and cayenne. Serve them with a balsamic-infused ketchup or a garlic dip for an extra punch of flavour.
Corn
Grilled corn on the cob is a perfect summer side dish for steak. You can also try making a grilled corn salad by combining grilled corn with bell peppers, avocado, red onion, and jalapeño, and drizzling it with crema and fresh herbs.
Bread
Bread is another option to accompany your steak. You could keep it simple with a baguette or go more indulgent with cheesy garlic bread or olive bread. If you're feeling fancy, try making homemade potato gnocchi or baked risotto with lemon, peas, and parmesan.
Other Sides
- Green beans almondine
- Lobster mac and cheese
- Burrata salad
- Onion rings
- Snap peas
- Tomato and burrata salad
- Thyme-roasted radishes and onions
- Watermelon cucumber salad
Air-Fried Fajitas: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$20.12 $38
![Franklin Steak: Dry-Aged. Live-Fired. Pure Beef. [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91kTqovcceL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Troubleshooting
- If your steak is overcooked, it may be because you left it in the air fryer for too long or your air fryer's temperature is too high. To avoid this, keep an eye on the cooking time and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- If your steak is undercooked, it may be because the air fryer's temperature is too low or you didn't cook it for long enough. Simply place the steak back in the air fryer and cook for a few more minutes.
- If your steak is dry, you're likely overcooking it. Try reducing the cooking time or checking on the steak earlier.
- If your steak is not cooking evenly, it may be due to the size and thickness of the fillet. Try flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides.
- If your steak is sticking to the basket, you may not be using enough oil or a non-stick cooking spray. Lightly coat the basket with oil or use a cooking spray before placing the steak in the air fryer.
- If your steak has a thick layer of fat, trim some off before cooking to prevent overcooking.
- If your steak is not resting properly, it may be because you didn't let it rest long enough. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and the steak to become more tender.
Air-Fryer Zucchini: Perfect Timing for Roasted Veggies
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, season the steaks with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a drizzle of olive oil. Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F. Once preheated, place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes for medium-rare or 13-18 minutes for medium to well-done.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and how well-done you like your steak. As a general guideline, cook at 400 degrees for 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, 11.5-13 minutes for medium-well, and 14 minutes for well-done.
Lightly coat the basket with oil or use a non-stick cooking spray before placing the steak in the air fryer.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. Cook your steak to 52 °C for rare, 60 °C for medium or 71 °C for well done.
