
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can have a perfectly cooked steak in under 20 minutes. This method is also great for customising your steak with your favourite seasonings and sides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Ribeye, Top Sirloin, New York Strip, Tri Tip Steak, Leaner Sirloin, Striploin Steak |
| Steak Thickness | At least 1 inch |
| Steak Temperature | 125°F for rare, 130-135°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, 145°F for medium, 150°F for medium well, 160°F for well done |
| Steak Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Steak Seasoning, Sugar, Cayenne Pepper, Fresh Herbs |
| Steak Sauce | Alfredo Sauce, Cheese Sauce, Gravy, Garlic Butter |
| Steak Sides | Salads, Potatoes, Asparagus, Green Beans, French Fries, Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Veggies, Creamed Corn, Broccoli Salad |
| Steak Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes for 1-inch steak, 6-8 minutes for medium-rare, 8-10 minutes for medium, 10-12 minutes for well-done |
| Steak Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the steak-cooking process. By heating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes, you create the perfect environment for your steaks to cook evenly and effectively. This step ensures that the exterior of your steaks sears beautifully, resulting in a golden brown surface similar to a hard sear. Without preheating, your steaks may end up overcooked and grey on the outside before they even have a chance to brown.
The preheating time of 5 minutes is a general guideline, and it's important to note that the exact time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model. The goal is to ensure that the air fryer basket is sufficiently hot before adding your steaks. This step is especially important if you want those appealing, mouth-watering grill marks on your steak.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can use this time to prepare your steaks. Start by patting the steaks dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step helps the steaks achieve a better sear and promotes even browning. Once dried, rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil, ensuring a nice, even coat. This step not only helps with browning but also adds moisture to the steaks, keeping the exterior juicy.
After oiling, it's time to season your steaks. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over them, gently pressing the seasonings into the meat so they adhere well. You can also get creative with your seasonings, adding a pinch of sugar, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, thyme, or oregano. This is your chance to infuse your steaks with flavors that tantalize your taste buds.
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Pat steaks dry and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
To make juicy steak in an air fryer, you'll first want to pat your steaks dry. This step is important because it helps to remove excess moisture, which can prevent your steaks from browning properly. Use paper towels to pat the steaks dry, and make sure to remove as much moisture as possible.
Once your steaks are dry, it's time to season them. A simple and classic combination is salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle these seasonings over the steaks, gently pressing them into the meat to ensure they adhere. You can also add olive oil to the steaks, which will help the seasonings stick and add moisture to the steak, keeping it juicy. If you want to get creative with your seasonings, you can try adding spices like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper, or fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, thyme, or oregano.
When seasoning your steaks, it's important to be generous but not to overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper for two ribeye steaks. If you're using other cuts of steak, you may need to adjust the amount of seasoning accordingly.
After your steaks are seasoned, they're ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes, and then place the steaks inside, making sure they are not touching each other to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness, but for a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for rare to medium-rare.
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Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through
Now that you've prepped your steak, it's time to air fry! Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Leave some space between the steaks for airflow to cook evenly. If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the steaks in batches.
Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the steaks for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the level of doneness you prefer, the thickness of your steak, and the model of your air fryer. For a 1-inch steak, air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, for medium-rare. Increase the cooking time to 12 minutes for a medium steak. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for thicker or thinner steaks.
Check the doneness of your steak by using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness. The thickest part of the steak should register 125°F for rare, 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the doneness by making a small cut into the steak to peek at its colour.
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Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes
Once your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This waiting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. If you slice into the steak too soon, you risk ending up with dry meat.
During this resting period, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise, so it is important to remove it from the air fryer about five degrees before it reaches your desired doneness. For example, if you want a medium-rare steak with an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F, you should remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 125°F.
Use this time to prepare any side dishes or sauces you want to serve with your steak. Some side dish options include baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, creamed corn, or a salad.
After the resting period, you can slice the steak against the grain into thin strips and serve it immediately. Enjoy your juicy and tender air-fried steak!
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Serve with garlic butter
To serve your juicy steak with garlic butter, you can either use a store-bought option or make your own. To make your own, you will need butter, garlic, and herbs such as parsley and chives. Softening the butter at room temperature makes it easier to mix in the garlic and herbs. You can then slather this over your steak before serving.
If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder as an alternative. Simply sprinkle it over the steak with salt and pepper before cooking. You can also use garlic butter with other herbs, such as rosemary, parsley, thyme, or oregano.
When it comes to serving, it is recommended to let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving with the garlic butter. This allows the moisture to redistribute, ensuring your steak is juicy.
Some side dish suggestions to accompany your juicy steak and garlic butter include garlic herb dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, roasted veggies, creamed corn, or broccoli salad.
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