Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook a juicy, tender, and flavourful steak. The high heat seals in the juices and creates a crispy crust, while the simple seasoning lets the steak's natural flavour shine. The best steak to use for air frying has some intramuscular fat marbling, which keeps it juicy and brings a rich flavour to the dish. For a 1-inch-thick steak, air fry for 7 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, and adjust the cooking time according to your desired level of doneness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Thickness | 1-inch thick or more |
| Steak Type | Ribeye, New York Strip, Sirloin, Fillet Mignon |
| Steak Temperature | Bring to room temperature before cooking |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 400°F |
| Air Fryer Preheat Time | 4-5 minutes |
| Air Fryer Cook Time | 7-13 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Steak Temperature for Medium-Rare | 130 to 135°F |
| Resting Time | 3-10 minutes |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Butter |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of cooking a medium-rare steak. It ensures that the outside of the steak gets browned nicely, similar to searing. 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 removing the steaks from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes beforehand. This allows the steaks to rise closer to room temperature, which helps with even cooking and gives the meat a chance to absorb the flavours from the seasonings. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and then rub in a light coating of avocado oil or olive oil. This will help the steaks brown better. Sprinkle both sides of the steaks liberally with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Next, plug in your air fryer and set it to 400°F. Let it preheat for 4 to 5 minutes before placing the steaks inside. You can also preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 2 minutes, but this may result in a less brown exterior. If you want a more well-done steak, you can preheat the air fryer for a little longer, but be careful not to overdo it, or the steak may cook too quickly and become overdone on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside.
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Choose the right steak
Choosing the right steak is essential for achieving the perfect medium-rare steak using your air fryer. While you can use any steak cut you like, some popular options for air frying include ribeye, New York Strip, and sirloin steak. Look for steaks with some intramuscular fat marbling, as this will keep the steak juicy and add rich flavor during the cooking process.
It is recommended that you use steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and won't have a chance to brown properly. If you are using a 1-inch thick steak, cook it for around 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through, for a medium-rare finish. For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Before cooking, remove the steaks from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes beforehand. This allows the steaks to rise closer to room temperature, ensuring more even cooking, and enables the meat to absorb the flavors from any seasonings. You can pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and then coat them with a light layer of avocado oil or olive oil. Season the steaks with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, or use a dry rub if your steaks are leaner.
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Seasoning and oil
To make a medium-rare steak in an air fryer, you'll want to start by seasoning your steak. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a great way to let the steak's natural flavor shine. You can also add some garlic powder or garlic butter for extra flavor. If you're using a leaner steak, like sirloin, a dry rub can help with the overall color.
Before seasoning, it's a good idea to remove the steaks from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes beforehand. This allows the steak to get closer to room temperature, which helps with even cooking and gives the meat a chance to absorb the flavors from the seasonings.
Once your steak is at room temperature, pat it dry with a paper towel. Then, coat the steak with a light layer of oil. Avocado oil or olive oil works well. Rubbing a little oil on the steak helps it brown better in the air fryer.
After the steak is coated in oil, it's time to season. Sprinkle both sides liberally with your chosen seasonings, making sure to cover the entire surface of the steak. Once it's seasoned, your steak is ready to be placed in the preheated air fryer.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for your steak will depend on the thickness of your steak, the temperature of the steak before cooking, and the power of your air fryer. As a general rule, thicker steaks require more cooking time, and thinner steaks require less cooking time. For example, a 1-inch-thick steak will require more cooking time than a thinner steak, which may cook too fast without achieving the desired browning.
Before cooking, it is recommended to remove the steak from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes beforehand to allow it to reach room temperature. This helps to ensure even cooking and allows the steak to absorb the flavours from its seasoning.
When cooking a 1-inch-thick steak, set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through, for a medium-rare steak. For a medium steak, increase the cooking time to 12 minutes, again flipping the steak halfway through.
If you are cooking thicker steaks, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 11 to 13 minutes in total, flipping the steak halfway through. The internal temperature of the steak should be between 130 to 135°F. If the steak is not at the desired temperature, you can continue cooking in 2-minute increments until it reaches the desired level of doneness.
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Resting and serving
Resting the steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. Once you've cooked your steak, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or a board. It is important to let the steak rest for a few minutes—most sources recommend 5 minutes, but some suggest 3-4 or even 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak with a crispy crust. It also gives the muscle fibres time to relax, resulting in a consistently moist and more flavoursome steak.
While the steak is resting, you can make a sauce or prepare some side dishes. Steak is often served with chips, a seasonal green salad, or roasted vegetables. Some also recommend baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, or mashed potatoes, with a vegetable side such as roasted green beans or asparagus. If you're craving something starchy, air fryer French fries and ketchup can be a great option to serve with your steak.
Once the steak has rested, it's time to slice and serve. It is recommended to slice the steak against the grain for the most tender bite. You can also top the steak with herb butter or your favourite sauce. Enjoy your juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked air fryer steak!
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature for cooking a medium-rare steak in an air fryer is 400°F. The duration depends on the thickness of the steak. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway. For thicker steaks, increase the cooking time accordingly.
To check if your steak is cooked to medium-rare, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. A temperature of 130°F to 140°F indicates a medium-rare steak.
Yes, preheating your air fryer is important. Preheat the air fryer for at least 5 to 10 minutes before adding the steak. This ensures that the outside of the steak gets browned properly.
Yes, it is recommended to bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. Take the steak out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. You can also marinate the steak with your choice of seasonings or sauces to enhance the flavor and texture.
