Air-Fried Steak: A Quick, Juicy, Tender Feast

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a juicy, tender steak with a crispy crust. It's less messy than pan-searing and doesn't require any preheating or outdoor grilling. You can use a variety of steak cuts, such as ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip, and the cooking time will depend on your desired doneness.

To cook a beef steak in an air fryer, start by patting the steak dry and bringing it to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. Then, brush the steak with oil and season it with salt and pepper, or a steak rub. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the steak inside, flipping it halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness level. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare to medium. Finally, let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Choosing the right cut of steak

First, it is recommended to choose a steak with a thickness of at least one inch. Thinner steaks can overcook quickly and become chewy. A thicker steak will give you a better sear and a juicier inside. Ideal cuts for the air fryer include ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, porterhouse, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. These cuts require less babysitting and perform well in the air fryer.

Second, consider the marbling of the meat. Marbling refers to the amount of fat distributed throughout the meat. A well-marbled steak will have a higher fat content, which can add flavour and juiciness to the steak. However, if you are looking for a leaner option, choose a cut with less marbling.

Third, think about the flavour and texture you want to achieve. Different cuts of steak have distinct flavours and textures. For example, ribeye is known for its rich flavour and tenderness, while sirloin is a leaner option with a more delicate texture. Consider what type of steak you usually order at a restaurant, and choose a similar cut for your air fryer.

Additionally, when purchasing your steak, look for meat that is bright red in colour with white fat. Avoid steaks that have a lot of brown or grey spots, as this may indicate that the meat is not fresh. Also, try to choose steaks that are similar in size and shape so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask your butcher for recommendations. They can help you select the best cut of steak for air frying and may even be able to custom-cut a steak to your desired thickness. With their expertise, you can feel confident that you're choosing the right steak for your air fryer.

Preparing the steak

Select your steak. A variety of cuts work well in the air fryer, including ribeye, sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, T-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick; thinner steaks will overcook. Each steak should weigh around 1/2 a pound.

Take your steaks out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to let them come up to room temperature. This will help them cook more evenly and improve their texture.

Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. This will help them brown rather than steam.

Brush or rub both sides of the steaks with olive oil. This will help them brown and develop a nice crust.

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 steak rub.

If desired, you can add a dry rub to your steaks. For example, you could combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl and coat both sides of the steaks with the mixture.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, take your steaks out of the fridge and let them sit for 20-30 minutes to reach room temperature. This will ensure your steak is less tough and cooks more evenly.

Next, pat the steaks dry with paper towels to remove moisture. This will help the steaks brown rather than steam. Then, rub or brush a little oil onto the steaks to help them brown better.

Now it's time to season the steaks. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper, or use a dry rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 200°C. Once hot, place the steaks in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the airflow and even cooking.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steaks and your desired level of doneness. As a guide, for a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare to medium, flipping halfway through. For rarer steaks, reduce the cooking time to 5-9 minutes, and for well-done steaks, increase the time to 12-15 minutes.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steaks. For rare steaks, the internal temperature should be 125-130°F, 130-140°F for medium-rare, 140-150°F for medium, 150-155°F for medium-well, and 160°F for well-done.

Once cooked to your liking, remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the fibres to relax, ensuring a moist and flavoursome steak.

Finally, slice the steak against the grain and serve.

Resting the steak

It is important to let your steak come to room temperature before cooking, and this should be a gradual process. Take the steak out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure your steak cooks evenly and isn't tough.

Once cooked, your steak will continue to cook for a few minutes after it has been removed from the heat source, and its temperature will rise by around five degrees. This is something to bear in mind when checking the steak's internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your air-fried steak. Here are some suggestions:

• Salads: A seasonal green salad or a strawberry spinach salad can complement your steak well. For a more indulgent side, you could try a Caesar salad.
• Vegetables: Try roasted asparagus, grilled Brussels sprouts, or sautéed mushrooms. For a healthier option, serve with roasted vegetables.
• Potatoes: Steak and potatoes are a classic pairing. You could try mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or sweet potato fries.
• Other Sides: For a more indulgent option, serve with French fries or homemade sweet potato fries. You could also try roasted butternut squash or pan-fried sweet plantains.
• Sauces: Top your steak with garlic herb butter, chimichurri, or your favourite sauce.

Frequently asked questions