Air-Frying A Medium-Rare Steak: Tips And Tricks

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy, tender steak with a crispy crust. It's a foolproof method that eliminates the mess of pan-searing and the hassle of firing up a grill. The air fryer's high heat ensures a tender steak, and its ability to circulate heat evenly around the food makes for a consistent cook. This guide will walk you through the steps to cook a medium-rare steak in an air fryer, customising the cooking time based on your steak's thickness.

Choosing the right cut of steak

Thickness:

It is recommended to choose a steak that is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too quickly in the air fryer and won't have a chance to brown properly. A thicker steak will give you more time to work with and help you achieve the perfect grill marks without overcooking the meat.

Marbling:

Marbling refers to the white lines of fat running through the steak. While you may think that less fat is better, marbling is actually what gives your steak tenderness and flavour. As the steak cooks, the fat renders itself down, creating a juicy texture and a rich flavour. Look for a steak with nice, thin lines of marbling rather than large chunks of fat.

Type of steak:

Different types of steak offer varying levels of tenderness, flavour, and price. Here are some popular options:

• T-bone steak: This cut is usually tender and popular in steakhouses as it contains two types of meat: a tenderloin and a strip steak. It offers a range of flavours and textures in one cut. T-bone steaks can be between 1 and 2 inches thick, making them ideal for the grill. However, they are on the higher end of the price spectrum and can be tricky to cook due to the different needs of the two types of meat.
• Porterhouse steak: Similar to a T-bone, but larger and a little less tender. Porterhouses are cut closer to the legs, which have more muscle. They are usually up to 3 inches thick and provide a large, juicy cut with savoury flavours. Like T-bones, they are typically more expensive and require some experience to cook properly.
• Ribeye steak: Cut from the prime rib area, ribeye steaks have excellent marbling, making them super flavourful, tender, and juicy when cooked properly. They are typically between 3/4 and 1 1/2 inches thick, but for the grill, it is best to choose a cut closer to 1 1/2 inches. Ribeyes perform well on the grill due to their high fat content, which keeps them tender.
• Filet mignon: Known for its delicate texture and fine marbling, filet mignon is the most tender cut of steak, especially when sourced from Black Angus cattle. It is ideal for rare or medium-rare cooking and is best cooked quickly on the grill or in a skillet. Filet mignon is usually the most expensive cut and may lack flavour compared to other steaks.
• Top sirloin steak: This cut comes from close to the rear of the animal and has incredible, rich flavours. It is less tender due to the muscular nature of the area but is highly affordable, making it great for large cookouts. Top sirloin is best cooked rare to medium-rare on the grill, and it takes a little longer to cook due to its muscularity.
• Strip steak: Cut from the short loin, strip steak is tender and known for its marbling and deep, rich flavour. It is usually boneless and more affordable than T-bone, filet mignon, and ribeye. Strip steak is versatile and can be cooked in the oven, pan, or grill. For grilling, look for a cut about 1 1/2 inches thick and cook it with a combination of direct and indirect heat.

Remember, the best cut of steak ultimately depends on your personal preferences and how you prepare it. With the right choice of steak and the convenience of your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to a mouthwatering medium-rare treat!

Preparing the steak

Firstly, choose your steak. A variety of cuts can be cooked in the air fryer, including ribeye, sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, T-bone, top sirloin, filet mignon, and tri-tip. Ensure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick; thinner steaks will overcook and become chewy.

Before you begin, remove your steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature. This should take around 20-30 minutes and will result in more even cooking and a less tough texture.

Next, pat the steaks dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. This will help to ensure a good sear and crust on the outside of the steak. Once dried, brush or rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil or another neutral oil.

Now it's time to season your steaks. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or you can add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or a store-bought steak rub. You could also add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavours and create a gorgeous caramelized crust.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the steaks. Place them in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for even cooking. Depending on your desired level of doneness, cook the steaks for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, flipping halfway through. For a rare steak, cook for 8-9 minutes, and for a well-done steak, cook for 12-15 minutes.

After removing the steaks from the air fryer, let them rest on a plate for at least 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, resulting in a moist and flavourful steak.

Cooking the steak

To cook a medium-rare steak in an air fryer, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. First, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit for 20-30 minutes to reach room temperature. This will ensure more even cooking.

Next, pat the steaks dry with kitchen paper or a clean cloth. Then, brush or rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil. You can also add a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to the outside of the steak.

Now you're ready to start cooking! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 200°C. Once it's hot, put the steaks in the basket and cook for 6 minutes. Then, flip the steaks and cook for another 2 minutes. At this point, your steaks should be rare to medium-rare. If you want them more well done, cook for an additional 2 minutes for medium, and a further 2 minutes for well-done.

When the steaks are done to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for 3-4 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the muscle fibres to relax, resulting in a moist and flavourful steak.

If you want to be precise about the doneness of your steak, you can use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be between 130°F and 140°F.

And that's it! You've now cooked the perfect medium-rare steak in an air fryer. Serve it with your favourite sides and enjoy!

Resting the steak

It's important to note that the steak will continue to cook slightly while resting, so be sure to remove it from the air fryer a few degrees before your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, you're aiming for an internal temperature of between 130°F and 140°F.

Before resting, it's a good idea to loosely tent the steak with foil to prevent it from continuing to cook in the residual heat of the air fryer basket.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your medium-rare steak cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas for side dishes and sauces to accompany your steak:

• Salads: Strawberry spinach salad, spinach salad with a spicy lemon salad dressing, arugula salad, lemon sea salt arugula salad, shaved Brussels sprouts salad, or salad with burrata.
• Vegetables: Sauteed mushrooms, roasted asparagus, grilled Brussels sprouts, roasted green beans, or garlic butter green beans.
• Potatoes: Baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, sweet potato wedges, or homemade sweet potato fries.
• Other Starchy Sides: Air fryer French fries, risotto (mushroom, beet, or barley), or orzo with roasted vegetables.
• Meat: Pigs in blankets.
• Sauces: Horseradish sauce, garlic herb butter, or creamy sauces like alfredo sauce, cheese sauce, or gravy.

You can also serve your steak with a side of vegetables and a starchy side, such as:

• Green beans and a baked potato
• Roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes
• French fries and salad

For a full meal, you could also cook broccoli and chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer to accompany your steak.

Frequently asked questions