Air-Fried Sirloin Steak: A Quick And Easy Recipe

Cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a tender and juicy steak without the mess. It's easier than grilling or pan-searing a steak, and you won't have to deal with any splatter or smoke in your kitchen. Plus, the circulating hot air in the air fryer ensures even cooking, resulting in a perfectly done steak every time.

To cook sirloin steak in an air fryer, you'll need a few simple ingredients: sirloin steaks, olive oil or another oil of your choice, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and any steak seasoning or rub you prefer. Some recipes also suggest making a compound butter with herbs to top your steak after cooking.

First, take your steaks out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to let them come to room temperature. Pat the steaks dry, then drizzle with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings or a rub if you like.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for about 3-5 minutes. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overlapping. Cook for about 7-12 minutes, depending on your desired doneness and the thickness of your steaks. For a medium-rare steak, cook for about 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Once your steaks are cooked to your desired doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a moist and flavourful steak. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer sirloin steak!

Choosing the right steak

Steak Cut

The best cuts of steak for the air fryer include sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. These cuts require less attention during cooking and benefit from the even cooking of the air fryer.

Thickness

It is crucial to select steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks tend to cook too quickly in the air fryer, resulting in overcooked meat that hasn't had a chance to brown properly. Aim for steaks with a thickness of one to one and a half inches.

Temperature

For optimal cooking, it is best to let your steaks reach room temperature before placing them in the air fryer. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to warm up slightly. This step helps the steaks cook more evenly.

Dryness

Before seasoning your steaks, ensure they are dry by patting them with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the steaks brown properly during cooking, resulting in a more appealing colour and texture.

Seasoning

While a simple seasoning of salt and pepper can be delicious, you can also experiment with various seasonings to enhance the flavour of your sirloin steak. Try a dry rub with garlic powder and paprika, or a store-bought steak rub. You can also marinate the steak beforehand for an extra flavour boost.

Preparing the steak

Now your steak is prepared, it's time to cook! Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F, which should take around 3-5 minutes. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. Overlapping steaks will not cook evenly. Depending on the thickness of your steaks and your desired level of doneness, air fry for around 7-15 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for around 10 minutes for medium-rare, and 12 minutes for medium. For thicker steaks, simply adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Once your steaks are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure your steak is moist and flavoursome. Enjoy!

Air fryer settings

The key to getting the best results when cooking sirloin steak in an air fryer is to ensure the appliance is set to the correct temperature and that the steak is cooked for the right amount of time.

Firstly, it's important to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F/200°C and heat the air fryer for around three to five minutes. This will ensure the basket is already warm, which will help to create a sear on the steak.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the steaks in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Overlapping steaks will not cook evenly and won't get the nice crispy edges that come from air frying. If your steaks are touching, cook them in batches.

For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through, for medium-rare. For a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes, again flipping halfway. Adjust the cooking time according to the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness.

Use a meat probe to test your steak and take it out of the air fryer five degrees before your desired level of doneness, as the meat temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

For a rare steak, cook for six minutes. For medium-rare, cook for seven minutes. For medium, cook for 10-13 minutes. For medium-well, cook for 13-15 minutes. And for a well-done steak, cook for 14-16 minutes.

It's important to note that all air fryers are different and may cook at different rates, so keep an eye on your steak and use a kitchen thermometer to check that it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, take your steaks out of the fridge about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking so they can reach room temperature. This will help them cook more evenly, although some sources say it doesn't make a big difference.

Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. If you want to, you can rub or brush the steaks with a little olive oil, which will help them brown better.

Season the steaks with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. You can use a dry rub, or a compound butter, or a combination of both. For a simple dry rub, use salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. For compound butter, mix dill and parsley, or rosemary, thyme, or chives.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 3 to 5 minutes.

Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping or touching. If they are, cook them in batches. The steaks should be at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks will cook too fast and won't brown properly.

Cook the steaks for about 7 to 12 minutes for rare to medium-rare. For medium, cook for 13 to 14 minutes, and for medium-well to well-done, cook for 15 to 16 minutes. Flip the steaks halfway through the cooking time.

Check the steaks are cooked to your liking with a meat thermometer. For rare, the internal temperature should be 125°F; for medium-rare, 130°F to 135°F; for medium, 140°F; for medium-well, 150°F; and for well-done, 160°F.

When the steaks are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Tent them with foil to keep them warm.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If your steaks are touching, they won't cook evenly.
• If you want a nice sear on your steaks, preheat the air fryer first.
• For a better crust, leave the steaks uncovered in the fridge overnight.
• Generously season your steaks.
• You don't need to add oil to your steaks, but you can if you prefer.
• Rest your steaks on a plate or cutting board, not in the air fryer basket, to prevent overcooking.
• The steak will continue to cook as it rests, so take it out of the air fryer about 5°F before it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Resting the steak

If you wish, you can use the resting time to make a sauce to accompany your meal.

Frequently asked questions