Air-Fried Rib-Eye: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking a rib-eye steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a juicy and tender steak with a flavorful, simple seasoning. It's a convenient, energy-efficient method that produces evenly cooked results with less oil, smoke, and grease than other cooking techniques.

To make a rib-eye in an air fryer, you'll need to preheat the appliance, season and prepare the steak, cook it according to your desired level of doneness, and then let it rest before serving.

Choosing the best ribeye steak

The ribeye cut comes from the rib cage and rib primal located directly underneath a cow's backbone. The muscles that make up a ribeye are used less than other parts of the animal, making the cut a naturally tender piece of beef.

When choosing a ribeye steak, look for one that is bright red and has a big eye—the large piece of white fat in the middle of the steak—and plenty of marbling (the flecks of fat spread throughout the meat). The more marbling, the juicier the final product will be.

Look for thick steaks that are around 1 1/2" thick. The average supermarket ribeye is usually less than 1" thick, so you may need to ask the butcher for freshly cut steaks.

If possible, look for black angus ribeye steak. This variety will have the best marbling and flavor.

Marinating the steak

Firstly, choose your marinade. A simple combination of olive oil, soy sauce, and seasoning works well. Alternatively, you could use a store-bought marinade or make your own with various herbs and spices. For example, a mixture of vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and black pepper.

Next, prepare your steak for marinating. It is important to bring your steak to room temperature before cooking, so be sure to take it out of the fridge 15-30 minutes beforehand. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel, as this will help the marinade stick to the meat.

Now, it's time to apply the marinade. Place the steak in a large resealable bag and pour in your chosen marinade. Seal the bag, ensuring you remove as much air as possible, and gently massage the bag to ensure the steak is evenly coated. Place the bag in the refrigerator, and allow the steak to marinate for at least two hours. For more intense flavour, you can leave the steak to marinate for up to 24 hours.

Once the steak has finished marinating, remove it from the bag and discard the excess marinade. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel to remove any excess oil before placing it in the air fryer.

And that's it! Your steak is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Remember to preheat your air fryer and cook the steak to your desired level of doneness. Enjoy!

Seasoning the steak

When it comes to seasoning, the simplest option is to use salt and pepper. You can press these seasonings into the meat with your fingers, ensuring an even coating. If you want to add more flavour, you can use a steak seasoning blend, such as Montreal Steak Seasoning, or make your own blend with spices like garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. For a more intense heat, you can add cayenne pepper or chilli powder to your seasoning blend.

Another option is to create a marinade for your steak. You can leave the steak in the marinade for a few hours or even overnight, allowing the flavours to really absorb into the meat. A simple marinade can be made with ingredients like soy sauce and olive oil and your choice of seasonings. If you want to get creative, you can also make a compound butter with ingredients like roasted garlic, chives, and butter. This can be added to the steak during the last minute of cooking so that it melts into the meat.

Once you have seasoned the steak to your liking, it is important to let it rest for a few minutes before cooking. This allows the steak to come to room temperature and ensures even cooking.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them reach room temperature. This will ensure more even cooking. This should take around 15 to 30 minutes.

Next, season your steaks. You can either marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning, or rub them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you're marinating, make sure you do this for at least two hours in advance and pat the steaks dry before cooking.

Now, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the steaks inside. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the steaks one at a time. Lightly spray the tops of the steaks with oil and add about a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer pan to prevent smoking.

Cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of your steaks. As a guide, cook a 1-inch-thick steak for 8 minutes for medium-rare, and a 1.5-inch-thick steak for 12 minutes. For a good sear, you can also try "reverse searing" by cooking the steak in a hot skillet after air frying.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steaks. For a medium-rare steak, the internal temperature should be around 130°F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can cook a 1-inch-thick steak for 5-6 minutes on each side, and a 1.5-inch-thick steak for 6-7 minutes on each side for medium-rare.

Once your steaks are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, making your steaks more tender and juicy.

Resting the steak

During the resting process, it's important to keep the steak loosely covered. You can use a tent of foil to achieve this. This will help the steak retain its heat without drying out. It's also important not to skip the resting step, as it makes a big difference in the final texture and taste of your steak.

While the steak is resting, you can use the time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your meal. Some great side options include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or a simple salad. For a more indulgent touch, you can also make a compound butter to serve with your steak. This can be as simple as mixing softened butter with herbs, spices, or roasted garlic.

Finally, when it comes to slicing your steak, it's best to use a sharp knife to ensure a clean cut. This will help keep the juices sealed inside the steak, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy bite.

Frequently asked questions