Tillie Doyle
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender, juicy steak with a crispy exterior. The air fryer's small, heated space means the steak cooks at the perfect temperature, with minimal mess and splatter. This method is faster than grilling and allows you to cook different cuts of steak, from ribeye to filet mignon, with minimal prep and clean-up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Porterhouse, sirloin, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, filet mignon, skirt steak, bone-in ribeye, boneless ribeye |
| Steak thickness | 1-inch |
| Steak weight | 1/2 pound |
| Steak temperature | Room temperature |
| Oil | Olive oil, butter, neutral oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, herb butter, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives |
| Air fryer temperature | 200C/400F |
| Air fryer preheat time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, asparagus, French fries, salad, roasted vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of steak
Thickness: Opt for steaks that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may overcook, while thicker ones may require a longer cooking time. A 1-inch thickness is ideal as it allows for even cooking and browning.
Marbling: Marbling refers to the fat content within the meat. Steaks with good marbling, such as ribeye, tend to stay juicier and more flavorful after air frying. Look for steaks with white flecks of fat distributed throughout the meat.
Cut: There are several cuts of steak that are well-suited for air frying due to their tenderness and flavor. Here are some of the best options:
- Porterhouse: This cut comes from the loin section of the cow and offers a hearty flavor.
- Sirloin: Sirloin is a versatile choice, divided into top sirloin (tender) and bottom sirloin (leaner and larger).
- New York Strip: A popular option known for its flavor and texture.
- Ribeye: Ribeye is a prime choice due to its marbling, which ensures a juicy and flavorful result.
- T-bone: Another option from the loin section, offering a similar experience to Porterhouse.
- Top Sirloin: Known for its tenderness and flavor.
- Filet Mignon: Renowned for its tenderness, filet mignon is considered a luxurious option for special occasions.
Room Temperature: For optimal cooking, it is recommended to bring your steak to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer. This helps soften the meat, resulting in a more tender steak.
By considering these factors and selecting a high-quality cut of steak, you can achieve delicious results with your air fryer. Remember to season or marinate your steak according to your preference to further enhance its flavor.
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Preparing the steak
Next, season the steak. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add other seasonings like Italian seasoning or garlic herb butter. If you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the steak for at least an hour or up to 8 hours before cooking. Remember to let the steak come to room temperature before cooking, as this will help it cook more evenly and stay tender and juicy.
After seasoning, rub a little oil on both sides of the steak. This will help the steak brown better and is especially important if you are using a leaner cut of steak. You can use olive oil or another neutral oil like avocado or canola oil.
Once the steak is prepared, you can preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. It's important to preheat the air fryer so that the outside of the steak gets nicely browned. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare a garlic herb butter to top your steak after cooking, if desired.
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the steak-making process. By heating up the air fryer before adding your steaks, you ensure that the outside of the steaks gets a nice brown colour, similar to searing. If you skip preheating, your steaks may end up grey and overcooked by the time the exterior browns.
To preheat your air fryer, start by setting the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting is ideal for cooking steaks as it will help you achieve that desirable golden brown exterior. Allow the air fryer to heat up for at least 10 minutes before adding your steaks. This waiting period ensures that the air fryer basket gets hot enough to create that sought-after seared effect on your steaks.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steaks. Start by bringing them to room temperature. Take the steaks out of the fridge for around 20 to 25 minutes before cooking. This step helps the steaks cook more evenly and promotes a tender texture.
Once your steaks are at room temperature, you can season them. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is classic, but feel free to experiment with seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, or your favourite liquid marinade. For added flavour, you can also rub a small amount of olive oil or another neutral oil onto the steaks. This step helps the steaks brown better and enhances the overall colour.
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Cooking the steak
Firstly, ensure your steak is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too fast and won't brown properly. Choose a porterhouse or sirloin steak, or opt for New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, or filet mignon. Take the steak out of the fridge 20-25 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help the steak cook evenly and ensure it stays tender and juicy.
Next, pat your steak dry with a paper towel and rub it with olive oil or another neutral oil on both sides. This will help the steak brown better. You can also add a dry rub of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to both sides of the steak for extra flavour. If you want to marinate your steak, do so for at least an hour or up to 8 hours.
Now it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it heat up for at least 10 minutes. It's important to preheat the air fryer to ensure the steak gets nicely browned on the outside. Once preheated, place the steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness. For a 1-inch steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, flipping the steak halfway through. For medium, cook for 12 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. If you prefer your steak well-done, cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Use a meat probe or an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. The thickest part of the steak should register 125°F for rare, 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium.
Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure the steak stays juicy.
Finally, top your steak with garlic herb butter, or simply serve it with your favourite sauce. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer steak!
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Resting the steak
During the resting period, the steak will continue to cook due to residual heat, so it's important to take this into account when deciding how long to cook the steak in the air fryer. As a general rule, you should remove the steak from the air fryer about 5°F before it reaches your desired final temperature. For example, if you're aiming for a medium-rare steak with a final temperature of 135°F, you should remove the steak from the air fryer when it reaches 130°F, as it will continue to cook while resting.
The thickness of the steak will also impact the resting time. For thicker steaks, a longer resting time is required to allow the juices to redistribute properly. Thinner steaks may only need a few minutes of resting time, while thicker steaks could need up to 10 minutes.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces to serve with it. Some popular side dishes to serve with steak include baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. For sauces, garlic butter or herb butter are classic choices that pair well with the juicy, tender steak cooked in the air fryer.
Finally, once the resting time is complete, you can slice the steak and serve it immediately. Enjoy the delicious, perfectly cooked steak with your chosen sides and sauces!
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Frequently asked questions
To cook steak in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Rub the steak with oil, salt, and pepper on both sides. You can also add Italian seasoning or garlic herb butter for extra flavor. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, and for a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Choose a steak that is around 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may cook too quickly and not get a chance to brown, while thicker steaks may require longer cooking times.
Use a meat probe or instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a rare steak, the thickest part of the steak should register 125°F, while medium-rare should be 130-135°F, and medium should be 140°F. Remove the steak from the air fryer about 5°F before it reaches your desired temperature, as the meat will continue to cook as it rests.
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