Tiffany Haney
Cooking ribeye steak in an air fryer is an easy and quick way to enjoy a juicy, tender steak with simple seasonings. It's a hands-off method that doesn't require constant attention, and the results rival a steak cooked on the grill. The key to achieving the perfect medium-rare steak is monitoring the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The ideal temperature range for a medium-rare steak is 130°F to 140°F, with the steak developing a warm, pink centre. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and the specific air fryer model, but on average, a medium-rare steak can be cooked in under 15 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Thickness | 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick for 8 minutes; 3/4-inch (1.2 cm) thick for 6-7 minutes; 1 1/4-inch (3.2 cm) thick for 12 minutes |
| Steak Temperature | Bring to room temperature before cooking |
| Basket Spray | Avocado or Olive Oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder |
| Marinade | Soy Sauce, Olive Oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 390°F (200°C) or 400°F (204°C) |
| Air Fryer Preheat Time | 2-5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-6 minutes each side for 12-14 minutes total; flip halfway |
| Internal Temperature | 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare; 135°F (57°C) after resting |
| Resting Time | 3-5 minutes; loosely covered with foil |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking your ribeye steak to medium-rare perfection. While preheating is not necessary for most air fryer recipes, it is crucial when cooking steak to achieve that desirable sear on the outside of the meat.
To preheat your air fryer, start by setting the temperature to 400°F (200°C). Allow the air fryer to heat up for at least 3 minutes, although 5 minutes is even better to ensure the appliance is fully heated. This step ensures that your steak gets a nice sear when it hits the hot air fryer basket or tray.
The preheating time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model, so it's always a good idea to refer to your appliance's instructions for the most accurate guidance. Additionally, if you're using an air fryer with different settings, make sure to select the “air fry” setting or the equivalent, as some models have multiple options.
During the preheating process, you can also prepare your ribeye steak. Take the steak out of the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This step may seem insignificant, but it helps the steak cook more evenly and improves the texture. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel, and if desired, lightly coat both sides with olive oil or avocado oil.
Once the preheating is complete, you'll be ready to season and cook your ribeye steak to medium-rare perfection!
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Prepare the steak
Preparing a ribeye steak in an air fryer is an incredibly easy way to enjoy this classic dinner. Enjoy tender, juicy steak with flavorful, simple seasonings in just minutes.
To start, take your steaks out of the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature. This ensures more even cooking and helps the steak cook quicker.
Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. You can lightly coat both sides with olive oil or avocado oil, or you can marinate the steaks in the morning or a few hours before cooking. To marinate, combine the steaks with soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning in a large resealable bag. Remove the steaks from the bag and pat off the excess oil before cooking.
Generously season both sides of the steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also mix all your dry seasoning ingredients and apply them to both sides of the steaks.
Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or another cooking oil, then add the steaks. Lightly spray the top of the steaks.
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Seasoning and oil
When it comes to seasoning, most recipes suggest keeping it simple with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add olive oil or avocado oil to the mix, or use a marinade of soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with other seasonings or rubs, but be cautious as they can sometimes overwhelm the natural flavour of the steak.
To prepare your ribeye for seasoning, start by taking it out of the refrigerator and bringing it to room temperature. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes, but thicker steaks may take longer. Once your steak is at room temperature, pat it dry with a paper towel.
Now you're ready to season. If you're using a dry seasoning, mix all the ingredients together and apply generously to both sides of the steak. If you're using a marinade, combine your steaks, soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning in a large resealable bag. Leave the steaks to marinate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight if you're preparing them in the morning. When you're ready to cook, remove the steaks from the bag and discard the marinade. Pat off any excess oil before placing the steaks in the air fryer.
If you're using oil, lightly coat both sides of the steak or spray the air fryer basket and steaks with oil. This will help to ensure your steak doesn't stick and will also add to the juiciness of the dish.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for your ribeye steak will depend on the thickness of your steak, how well you want it cooked, and your specific air fryer model.
For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through. This should take around 10-12 minutes in total. If your steak is on the thinner side (around 3/4" thick), it will reach medium-rare in about 8-9 minutes. If your steak is thicker (1 1/4" thick), it will be closer to 12 minutes. If you like your steak rare, reduce the cooking time to 6-7 minutes in total. For a medium steak, cook for 8-9 minutes on each side, or 16-18 minutes in total.
The ideal temperature for a medium-rare steak is 130°F (54°C). The internal temperature will continue to rise by a few degrees while the steak rests, so you should pull the steak out of the air fryer at around 125°F (52°C). For a rare steak, remove at 120°F (48-52°C). For a medium steak, remove at 140°F (60°C).
It is recommended that you preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes, or 5 minutes at 400°F, to ensure your steak gets a nice sear.
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Resting and serving
Resting the steak is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and ensures that the steak will be moist and flavoursome. The internal temperature will also continue to rise a few degrees while the steak rests, so it's important to remove the steak from the air fryer about 5°F before your desired level of doneness.
To rest the steak, place it on a large plate or cutting board and loosely cover it with foil. Let the steak rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will give you time to make a sauce, if desired.
When serving, sprinkle the steak with sea salt flakes and top with a pat of butter and fresh herbs, such as chives or parsley. Steaks can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as cheesy mashed potatoes, maple bacon brussels sprouts, or air fryer butternut squash.
Leftover steak can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply air fry at 400°F for 2-3 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 10-14 minutes to cook a ribeye steak medium-rare in an air fryer. The time varies depending on the thickness of the steak and the model of the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F-400°F for at least 3 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For medium-rare, the temperature should be 130°F-135°F.
Take the steak out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature. Pat the steak dry, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and spray with avocado or olive oil.
