Ella Walter
Cooking strip loin steaks in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to achieve a restaurant-quality steak at home. Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, producing a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil. This method of cooking significantly reduces the cooking time compared to traditional grilling or pan-searing, making it perfect for busy weeknights. To cook strip loin steaks in an air fryer, the key steps are selecting high-quality steaks, allowing them to come to room temperature, preheating the air fryer, seasoning the steaks, placing them in the air fryer basket, and finally, letting them rest after cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak type | Strip loin steak |
| Steak thickness | 3/4"–1" |
| Steak temperature before cooking | Room temperature |
| Steak preparation | Pat dry, brush with oil, season |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F–420°F |
| Air fryer preparation | Preheat for 3–5 minutes |
| Cooking time | 7–15 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 125°F–160°F |
| Resting time | 5–10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Selecting the right steak
Thickness:
Choose steaks that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner steaks may overcook too quickly, while thicker cuts may require a longer cooking time. A 1-inch thickness is ideal as it allows for even cooking and browning.
Marbling:
Look for strip loin steaks with ample marbling, which refers to the fat content within the meat. Good marbling ensures your steak stays juicy and flavourful after air frying. Look for white flecks of fat dispersed throughout the meat.
Cut:
Strip loin steaks, also known as New York strip steaks, are an excellent choice for air frying due to their rich flavour, tenderness, and marbling. They offer a balance of lean meat and fat, making them a favourite among steak lovers. However, other cuts like ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon are also great options for air frying.
Quality:
Selecting high-quality steaks is essential. Look for bright red meat, which indicates freshness and flavour. Choose steaks with a good amount of marbling, as mentioned earlier. If possible, opt for USDA prime or choice grades, or grass-fed options.
Temperature:
Allow your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking. Remove them from the refrigerator about 30 minutes beforehand. This ensures even cooking and helps the steak cook to your desired doneness.
Dryness:
Before seasoning, pat your steaks dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help achieve a crispy exterior and improve browning.
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Preparing the steak
Preparing the perfect strip loin steak in an air fryer starts with selecting the right cut of meat. Look for a bright red steak with ample marbling, which indicates flavour and tenderness. The New York strip steak is a popular choice, cut from the short loin section of the cow. It offers a balance of lean meat and fat, making it a favourite among steak lovers.
Before cooking, it is recommended to bring the steak to room temperature. Opinions vary on how long this should take, with suggestions ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. During this time, you can pat the steak dry with a paper towel and apply seasoning. A generous coating of salt and pepper is a timeless option, but feel free to experiment with different spice blends and marination methods. For instance, you can try Italian seasoning, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, or brush the steak with avocado oil.
When you're happy with your seasoning, it's time to preheat the air fryer. Most sources recommend a temperature of 400°F (200°C), preheated for around 3-5 minutes. However, some air fryers may not reach this temperature, in which case you can preheat to 400°F and cook for a little longer.
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Cooking the steak
Firstly, remove your steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to rest for around 10 to 30 minutes before cooking. This will bring them to room temperature, which is a crucial step in cooking the steak perfectly.
Next, pat the steaks dry with paper towels. You can then brush the steaks with a light coating of oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil, to help achieve that crispy exterior. Alternatively, you can rub the steaks with melted butter.
After this, season the steaks generously on both sides. You can use salt and pepper, or a seasoning salt like Montreal Steak Seasoning. If you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the steaks in a mixture of Italian seasoning, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar for 1-2 hours before cooking.
Now it's time to cook the steaks. Preheat your air fryer to around 400-420°F (200°C). Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between them for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the steaks one at a time. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for around 7-15 minutes for medium-rare, and 12 minutes for medium. Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.
To check if your steak is done, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, the temperature should be 130-135°F (54°C), while a medium steak should be 145°F (63°C). Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help seal in the juices.
Finally, top your steaks with a pat of steak butter, garlic butter, or herb butter for an extra indulgent touch. Enjoy your perfectly cooked strip loin steaks!
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Resting the steak
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your meal. Some popular side dishes that pair well with steak include mashed potatoes, green beans, and a fresh salad. You could also make garlic butter potatoes using any leftover garlic herb butter from seasoning the steak.
It is important to note that the resting time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the steak, as well as your desired doneness. For thicker steaks, you may need to increase the resting time to ensure the juices are evenly distributed. Additionally, if you are cooking multiple steaks, you may need to adjust the resting time accordingly.
Finally, after the resting period, you can slice the steak and serve it with your chosen sides and toppings. Enjoy your perfectly cooked strip loin steak!
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Serving suggestions
While a perfectly grilled steak is hard to beat, an air fryer is a brilliant, simple alternative. It's quick, easy, and produces a juicy, tasty steak with a nice crisp on the outside and no mess!
- A fresh salad can complement the richness of the steak. Try a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or a classic Caesar salad.
- For a more indulgent side, Boursin mashed potatoes are a great option.
- If you want to stick to a more traditional route, garlic butter potatoes would be a great pairing.
- If you're looking for something healthier, try some green beans or air fryer broccoli.
- For something a little different, air fryer NY strip steak pairs well with brown rice jollof or braised red cabbage with apples and bell peppers.
- If you're a fan of spice, try air fryer steak bites with peppers.
- You could also top your steak with a pat of steak butter, garlic butter, or chive butter.
- If you're a fan of pepper, sprinkle some on both sides of the steak before cooking.
- For a more well-done steak, cook for 15 minutes. For a medium steak, 12 minutes should do the trick, and 10 minutes will give you a medium-rare steak.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are a great way to cook strip loin steaks. They provide a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil and reduce cooking time compared to traditional grilling or pan-searing.
First, remove your steaks from the fridge about 10-30 minutes before cooking and let them come to room temperature. Then, pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and brush them lightly with oil (avocado oil or olive oil are good options). Finally, season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F-420°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 7-10 minutes for medium-rare, 10-12 minutes for medium, and 15 minutes for well-done. Remember to flip your steak halfway through the cooking time.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak during the last few minutes of cooking. For medium-rare, the temperature should read 130°F-135°F (54°C). For medium, the temperature should be 145°F.
