Tiffany Haney
Cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy and tender steak with a delicious sear. The air fryer method is especially useful if you're unable to cook outdoors, and it also means you avoid the mess of splattering that comes with frying steak in a pan. There are a few key steps to follow: firstly, ensure your steak is at least 1 inch thick, and ideally 1-1.5 inches thick. Then, let the steak come to room temperature before cooking, and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a dry rub with spices like garlic powder, paprika, or rosemary. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, and cook the steak for around 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Finally, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Sirloin |
| Steak Thickness | 1<co:0,1>-1.25</co:0,1><co:21>-1.5</co:21> <co:0,1,3,5,8,10,11,21>inches</co:0,1,3,5,8,10,11,21> |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Preheat Time | 3<co:3>-5</co:3> <co:3,5,6>minutes</co:3,5,6> |
| Cook Time | 8<co:13,15>-15</co:13,15> <co:1,11,13,15>minutes</co:1,11,13,15> |
| Rest Time | 5<co:1,13,14>-10</co:1,13,14> <co:1,6,11,13,14,22>minutes</co:1,6,11,13,14,22> |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Montreal seasoning |
| Sides | Roasted vegetables, potatoes, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your steak will be cooked evenly and helps to create a delicious sear on the outside. To preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature of 400°F/200°C, simply turn on the appliance and set the temperature to your desired level. Allow the air fryer to run for around 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches the set temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, you can achieve the same result by running the appliance at the desired temperature for the same amount of time.
It is important to note that the preheating time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or your user manual for specific guidelines. Additionally, different steak thicknesses and desired doneness levels will require adjustments to the cooking time. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F/52°C, while thicker steaks will take longer to cook.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your sirloin steak by bringing it to room temperature. This step is not mandatory, but it can help the steak cook more evenly. Remove the steak from the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. During this time, you can also season the steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or a dry rub of your choice.
Once the air fryer has preheated to 400°F/200°C, you can proceed to the next step of placing the steak in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave enough space between multiple steaks to allow for proper airflow and even cooking. Now, you're ready to start cooking your delicious sirloin steak in the air fryer!
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Prep the steak
Preparing a sirloin steak for the air fryer is simple and only takes a few minutes. First, take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to half an hour before cooking. This step is not essential, but it will help the steak cook more evenly. If you have time, you can also season the steak with salt and pepper at this point, or even a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Before placing the steak in the air fryer, pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the steak brown rather than steam. Then, brush or spray the steak with olive oil and rub in more salt and pepper, or your chosen seasoning, on both sides.
Make sure your air fryer basket is large enough that the steaks aren't overcrowded and have enough airflow. If your basket only fits one steak, you will need to cook them one at a time.
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Season the steak
To cook sirloin steak in an air fryer, you'll want to start by seasoning the steak. First, take the steak out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to half an hour before cooking. This step is not strictly necessary, but it will help the steak cook more evenly.
Pat the steak dry with paper towels. This will help the seasoning stick to the steak. Next, season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning. Be generous with the seasoning, as this will add flavour to the steak.
If you want to get creative, you can make a dry rub for your steak. This works especially well with leaner cuts of steak, like sirloin. A simple dry rub might include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with other spices and herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or chives.
Once your steak is seasoned to perfection, you're ready to start cooking!
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Cook the steak
Cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy, tender, and tasty steak. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer:
- Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This helps the steak cook evenly.
- Pat the steak dry with a paper towel.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3-5 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply run it at the desired temperature for the specified time.
- Brush or spray olive oil on both sides of the steak. This helps with browning and ensures the steak doesn't dry out.
- Season the steak generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning.
- Place the steak in the centre of the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring it doesn't touch any other steaks to allow for proper airflow.
- Cook the steak for 8-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch steak, 10 minutes will get you a medium-rare steak, while 12 minutes will be medium.
- Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.
- Check the steak's internal temperature with a kitchen thermometer. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 135°F, while a medium steak should be 140-150°F.
- Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy steak.
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Rest the steak
Resting your steak is a crucial step in the cooking process. Once your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or cutting board. Loosely cover the steak with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes, but preferably 10 minutes, before slicing or serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the steak, ensuring that it stays moist and tender.
During the resting period, you can prepare any desired toppings or sides. For a simple and classic option, mash together butter, parsley, chives, garlic, and rosemary to create a delicious compound butter. Spread this over your steak just before serving. If you prefer a more tangy topping, try adding some blue cheese crumbles to the steak as they will slightly melt into the meat. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal seasoning.
Additionally, the resting period provides an ideal opportunity to prepare side dishes. Air-fried vegetables like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or roasted green beans pair well with the steak. You can also cook roasted butternut squash or prepare mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. If you're a potato lover, air fryer baked potatoes or sweet potatoes are excellent choices.
Remember, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise by about 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit as it rests. Therefore, it's essential to remove the steak from the air fryer just before it reaches your desired doneness temperature. Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the steak's temperature accurately. By following these resting guidelines, you'll ensure your sirloin steak is juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection.
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Frequently asked questions
First, allow the steak to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Then, pat the steak dry and season it with salt and pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3-5 minutes. Place the steak in the centre of the basket, ensuring it doesn't touch any other steaks. Cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Once cooked, transfer the steak to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. A 1-inch-thick steak cooked to medium-rare should be cooked for 10 minutes, flipping halfway. A 1-inch-thick steak cooked to medium should be cooked for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if your steak is thicker or thinner, or if you want it to be cooked to a different level of doneness.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
Some side dish options that go well with sirloin steak are:
- Roasted vegetables, such as butternut squash, green beans, broccolini, or asparagus
- Mashed potatoes, rosemary mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes
- Baked potatoes
- Mac and cheese
- Air fryer roasted potatoes
