Tillie Doyle
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to achieve a tender, juicy, and flavoursome steak with a crispy exterior. The air fryer is ideal for cooking steak as it requires less cooking time than other methods, which makes the meat more tender. This introduction will cover the best way to cook thick steaks in an air fryer, including the optimal thickness, temperature, cooking time, and other tips for achieving the perfect steak.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Thickness | 1-1.5 inches |
| Steak Type | Sirloin, Porterhouse, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, or Ribeye |
| Steak Weight | Around 1/2 pound |
| Steak Temperature | Room temperature before cooking |
| Basket Arrangement | Single layer, minimal contact between steaks |
| Basket Overcrowding | Avoid |
| Basket Preheating | Preheat to 400°F |
| Steak Preparation | Pat dry, brush with oil, season with salt and pepper |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes, depending on desired doneness |
| Cooking Temperature | 120-160°F |
| Resting Time | 10 minutes |
| Serving Suggestions | Herb butter, garlic butter, compound butter, or sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Steak thickness and cooking time
Steak thickness plays a crucial role in cooking the perfect steak in an air fryer. As a general rule, thicker steaks are preferred as they allow the outside to brown and crisp up while keeping the inside cooked to your desired doneness. Thinner steaks, on the other hand, tend to overcook quickly, becoming chewy and losing the chance to brown properly. Therefore, it is recommended to choose steaks that are at least 1-inch thick.
The cooking time for your steak in the air fryer will depend on its thickness. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook it in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping it halfway through. If you prefer your steak medium-rare, 10 minutes in the air fryer should suffice, while for a medium steak, 12 minutes is recommended.
For thicker steaks, you will need to increase the cooking time accordingly. As a guide, the internal temperature of the steak should be between 125°F and 130°F for rare, 130°F to 135°F for medium-rare, and 140°F for medium. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. It is also recommended to remove the steak from the air fryer when it is 5°F below your desired temperature, as the steak will continue to cook while resting.
Additionally, it is important to let your steaks reach room temperature 30 minutes before cooking, as this will help them cook more evenly.
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Air fryer temperature
The optimal temperature for cooking steak in an air fryer is around 400°F (204°C). However, some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 200°C and then cooking the steak for 6 minutes on each side.
It is important to preheat the air fryer before cooking steak. This is because the hot grate allows the steak to sear on the outside immediately, which is desirable for a good steak. Preheating the air fryer also helps the steak cook evenly.
The cooking time for a 1-inch-thick steak cooked to medium-rare is around 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. For a medium steak, the cooking time is around 12 minutes, also flipping halfway. For thicker steaks, the cooking time should be increased, and for thinner steaks, it should be decreased. A meat thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of the steak to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
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Steak preparation
Firstly, choose the right cut of steak. Porterhouse, sirloin, New York strip, ribeye, T-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon are all great options for air frying. Ensure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick; thinner steaks tend to overcook quickly and become chewy.
Before seasoning, it is important to pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step helps promote even browning. Then, rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil or another neutral oil. You can also brush the oil on.
Next, season the steaks generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or a dry rub. If you want a more well-done steak, you can marinate it in a dressing or marinade of your choice. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors!
Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the steaks. However, others suggest placing the steaks in the air fryer and then preheating it to ensure a good sear. Cook the steaks for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steaks and your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F, while a medium steak should be cooked to 140°F.
Finally, let the steaks rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful steak. Top with a pat of herb or garlic butter for an extra indulgent touch.
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Cooking the steak
To cook thick steaks in an air fryer, you'll first want to make sure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick—thinner steaks may overcook or become chewy. Take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes to reach room temperature, which will help them cook more evenly. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can cause steaming. For even cooking, make sure the steaks aren't touching or are only minimally touching in the air fryer basket, and cook in batches if necessary.
Before cooking, brush or rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil or another neutral oil, which will help the steaks brown. You can also add a dry rub of salt and pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, or use a store-bought steak rub.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Then, place the steaks in the basket and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the steaks once halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10 minutes for medium-rare or 12 minutes for medium. For thicker steaks, add 1 to 3 minutes; for thinner steaks, start checking as early as 4 minutes.
When the steaks are done, transfer them to a plate and let them rest for at least 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, making the steak moist and flavorful. You can top the steaks with herb butter while they rest.
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Resting the steak
When cooking a thick steak in an air fryer, it is essential to let the steak rest for a few minutes after removing it from the heat. The exact resting time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness. For a 1-inch-thick steak, let it rest for at least 10 minutes. If your steak is thicker than 1 inch, increase the resting time by a few minutes.
During the resting period, transfer the steak to a plate and loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook. This will ensure that your steak reaches your desired level of doneness. It is important to note that the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise by approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit while it rests. Therefore, if you are aiming for a specific internal temperature, remove the steak from the air fryer when it is 5 degrees below your target temperature.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare any desired toppings or sides. For example, you can make herb butter by mixing butter with shallots, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and herbs. This will add extra flavour to your steak.
By allowing your thick steak to rest adequately, you will ensure a juicy, tender, and flavourful result. This step is key to perfecting your air-fried steak.
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Frequently asked questions
The best thickness for a steak in an air fryer is 1 to 1.5 inches. Thinner steaks may become chewy as they cook too fast without getting a chance to brown.
The cooking time depends on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare and 12-15 minutes for medium. For a 1.5-inch-thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium-rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium-well, or 14-16 minutes for well-done.
Remove the steak from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature. Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove moisture, then season both sides with salt, pepper, or your preferred steak seasoning. You can also brush the steak with olive oil or butter to help with browning.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). You can also preheat at a lower temperature of 200°C and then increase to 400°F when you put the steak in the basket.
