Air-Frying A Small Sirloin Steak: Quick And Easy!

Air fryer sirloin steak is a quick and easy way to cook a delicious meal for the whole family. It's beautifully seared on the outside and stays juicy and tender on the inside. You don't have to fire up the grill or fill the kitchen with smoke from a cast-iron pan. The cooking time will depend on how thick your steak is and how well done you like it.

How to season sirloin steak for the air fryer

To season a sirloin steak for the air fryer, you should first pat the steak dry with paper towels. Then, brush on olive oil and rub in sea salt and coarse pepper on one side of the meat. Repeat this process on the other side until the steak is well-coated and seasoned. You can also add additional salt and pepper after cooking if you desire.

How long to cook sirloin steak in the air fryer

The cooking time for sirloin steak in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and how well done you like it. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 13 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. For a steak that is 1-1¼” thick, it will take 7 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 125°F/52°C for medium-rare.

Before cooking, pat the steak dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. You can also brush the steak with olive oil and rub in sea salt and coarse pepper. Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 400°F.

Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, transfer it to a plate and loosely cover it with foil. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with butter, garlic herb butter, or additional salt and pepper.

How to get the perfect doneness

The perfect doneness of a steak is subjective, but there are some general guidelines to follow when cooking a small sirloin steak in an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to season the steak liberally with salt and pepper, and to pat it dry with paper towels before cooking. You should also preheat your air fryer. The cooking time will depend on how thick your steak is and how well done you like it. For a medium-rare steak, cook for around 13 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. If you prefer your steak rare, reduce the cooking time, and if you like it well done, increase the cooking time. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be 125°F/52°C. Once your steak has reached the desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender steak. You can also top your steak with butter or garlic herb butter for extra flavour.

How to prepare the steak before cooking

To prepare your sirloin steak before cooking, first take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you plan to cook it so that it can reach room temperature. Then, pat the steak dry with paper towels and brush on olive oil. Next, rub sea salt and coarse pepper onto one side of the steak, and then repeat on the other side until the steak is well-coated and seasoned. You can also add additional salt and pepper after cooking, if desired.

How to rest the steak after cooking

Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer basket and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. You can loosely cover it with foil to keep it warm. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your steak is juicy and tender.

If you have the time, you can also let the steak come to room temperature before cooking. This isn't essential, but it can help the steak cook more evenly. Simply take the steak out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you plan to cook it.

After resting, slice the steak against the grain and serve. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions