Marianne Martinez
Cooking frozen steak in an air fryer is a convenient way to prepare a juicy and tender steak without the need for thawing. This method is suitable for busy weeknights and can produce delicious results in under 20 minutes. The key to success is in the seasoning and cooking time, which will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. By using an air fryer, you can achieve a perfectly cooked steak with a delicious sear, eliminating the need for a skillet and making cleanup a breeze.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Any steak that is currently frozen |
| Steak Cut | Ribeye, Sirloin, Flank steak, Flat iron steak, Filet mignon |
| Steak Thickness | 3/4", 1", 1 1/2", 2" |
| Steak Temperature | Rare: 49-57°C (120-130°F), Medium Rare: 54-57°C (130-135°F), Medium: 57-63°C (135-145°F), Medium Well: 63-68°C (145-155°F), Well Done: 68-74°C (155-165°F) |
| Steak Cooking Time | 10-22 minutes (depending on the desired temperature) |
| Oil | Avocado oil, Rapeseed oil, or any other type of oil |
| Seasoning | Salt and pepper or any other preferred seasoning |
| Preheat Air Fryer | Yes (for a good sear) or No (to prevent grey bands from forming under the crust) |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 200°C/400°F |
| Air Fryer Cooking Time | 18-20 minutes (flipping halfway through) |
| Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer or not?
Preheating the air fryer is a matter of personal preference when cooking frozen steak. Some sources suggest preheating the air fryer to a certain temperature, such as 205°C/400°F for 5 minutes, or 350°F, to ensure the steak gets a good sear. However, others recommend skipping the preheat step, as the steak is already frozen and will not sear in the same way as a thawed steak. Starting with a cold air fryer can also help prevent the overcooking of the outer layer of meat before the inside reaches the desired temperature.
If you choose to preheat your air fryer, adjust your cooking time slightly downwards to account for the extra cooking time. For example, a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes will result in a rare steak with an internal temperature of 120-130°F. Without preheating, the steak will take a couple of minutes longer to reach this temperature.
The cooking time for your frozen steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness. Thinner steaks will require less time, while thicker steaks, such as those greater than 1.5 inches, may need a lower temperature to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked. For a well-done steak, cook at 400°F/200°C for 20-22 minutes, or 350°F for around 30 minutes.
It is also important to consider the type of steak you are cooking. A ribeye steak, for example, has thin streaks of fat that will keep the meat moist as it cooks. Leaner cuts, such as sirloin or filet, may require adjustments to cooking time or temperature to prevent overcooking. Additionally, it is recommended to let the steak come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking and to let it rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
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Oil and seasoning
Oil
Before seasoning, coat the steak with oil. This helps the steak to brown better, and also helps the seasoning to stick to the steak. You can use any kind of oil you like, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or rapeseed oil. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray or spritz the steak with cold water before applying the seasoning.
Seasoning
When it comes to seasoning, you can use any combination of spices, herbs, and seasonings that you like. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a good starting point, but you can also add garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning. If you want to add a bit of heat, try smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper. Fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, thyme, or oregano will also add flavour to your steak.
If you want to get creative, you can make a compound butter to serve with your steak. To do this, mix softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley. You can also add other ingredients like cheese or bacon for extra flavour.
For a 1-inch steak, air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes for a medium-rare steak, or 12 minutes for a medium steak, flipping the steak halfway through. For a rare steak, reduce the cooking time to 8-9 minutes, and for a medium-well to well-done steak, increase the cooking time to 14-20 minutes.
It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. Always cook your steak to your desired internal temperature and use a meat thermometer to check that it's cooked to your liking.
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Temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking a frozen steak in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 380°F or 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes before placing the steak in the air fryer.
For a 1-inch-thick steak, the cooking time will be approximately 10 minutes for rare, 12-14 minutes for medium-rare, 16 minutes for medium, 20 minutes for medium-well, and 22 minutes for well-done. The temperature ranges for each level of doneness are as follows: rare (49-57°C/120-130°F), medium-rare (54-57°C/130-135°F), medium (57-63°C/135-145°F), medium-well (63-68°C/145-155°F), and well-done (68-74°C/155-165°F).
If you are cooking a thicker steak, greater than 1.5 inches, it is recommended to lower the temperature to around 350°F to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For thinner steaks, the cooking time will be lower. It is important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness.
Additionally, it is suggested to let the steak sit in its juices for 5-10 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor and tenderness.
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Resting the steak
After cooking, remove the steak from the air fryer and place it on a plate or board. Tent it loosely with foil to keep it warm and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This time will also allow the steak to finish cooking to your desired level of doneness. If you are cooking a very thick steak, it may need to rest for up to 2 minutes longer.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any sides or sauces to go with your meal. Some suggestions include baked, smashed or mashed potatoes, and roasted green beans or asparagus.
It is important to note that the steak will continue to cook while it rests, so it is recommended to take the steak out of the air fryer about five degrees before your desired doneness. Use a meat probe or instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature of the steak, and remember that the temperature will increase as it rests.
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Sides and pairings
There are many side dishes that go well with steak cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:
Vegetables
- Grilled vegetables such as corn on the cob, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, bok choy, and green beans.
- Sauteed or baked asparagus, mushrooms, and snap peas.
- Roasted carrots with honey-herb butter and a dash of vinegar.
Potatoes
- Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or potatoes au gratin.
- Air fryer French fries, steak fries, or waffle fries.
- Lemon-pepper shoestring fries.
Salads
- Salade Catalane, which includes roasted red pepper, anchovy, and hard-boiled egg.
- A simple wedge salad or a peppery arugula salad with mixed citrus and jewel-toned roasted beets.
- Chickpea salad with warm, soft pita bread to soak up the olive oil dressing.
Pasta
Macaroni and cheese, or lobster mac and cheese for a surf and turf twist.
Other
- Cornbread, dinner rolls, or cheesy olive bread.
- Blue cheese dressing with crispy bacon lardons, chives, and quartered cherry tomatoes.
- Boursin cheese baked pasta.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. A 1-inch-thick steak cooked medium-rare will take around 12-14 minutes, while a well-done steak of the same thickness will take around 22 minutes.
Preheating the air fryer is optional. Preheating can help the steak cook more evenly, but skipping the preheat can prevent the formation of grey bands just under the crust.
Ribeye is a popular choice due to its marbling of fat, which keeps the meat moist. However, other cuts such as sirloin, flank steak, flat iron steak, and filet mignon can also be used.
