Air-Fried Steak Sandwich: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Steak sandwiches are a staple across the United States, and an air fryer is a great way to cook everything together in a single basket. You can use a variety of steak cuts, including ribeye, sirloin, and skirt steak, and season with salt, pepper, and sauces like soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. The sandwich can be served with a range of vegetables, including onions, peppers, and mushrooms, and cheese like provolone, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese. The air fryer is preheated, the steak and vegetables are cooked, and the sandwich is assembled and toasted. The cooking time and temperature can be adjusted for the desired level of rarity.

Choosing the right steak cut

When making a steak sandwich in an air fryer, choosing the right cut of steak is essential to ensure a juicy and flavourful sandwich. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your steak:

Type of Steak

The most popular choice for steak sandwiches is ribeye, which offers a juicy and flavourful bite with a tender texture thanks to its marbling. It pairs well with bold condiments such as pesto, blue cheese, and tomato jam. If you prefer a leaner cut, skirt steak is a good alternative that delivers an intense beefy flavour. This cut goes well with strong ingredients like garlic, horseradish mayo, or chillies. For a more economical option that retains flavour and moisture, top sirloin is an excellent choice, slicing easily into nicely shaped pieces.

Freshness

Using fresh, chilled, or room-temperature steak will yield better results than frozen steak, which can affect the flavour and texture of your sandwich.

Thickness

For an air fryer steak sandwich, it is important to slice the steak thinly so that it cooks quickly and evenly, resulting in a tender bite.

Customisation

Feel free to choose a different cut of steak based on your preferences or budget. You can also ask your butcher to slice the steak for you, saving time and effort.

Cooking Time

Remember that different cuts of steak may require adjustments to the cooking time. A thicker steak may need a longer cooking time, while a thinner slice will cook faster.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the "right" cut of steak depends on your personal taste. Experiment with different options to find your favourite, or ask your butcher for recommendations based on your desired flavour profile and texture.

Preparing the steak

Firstly, choose your steak cut. While ribeye is a popular choice for its flavour and tenderness, you can also opt for more economical cuts like sirloin or top sirloin, which are leaner but still full of flavour. If you want to be adventurous, try skirt steak or London broil, which offer intense beefy flavours at a more affordable price.

Once you have selected your steak, it's time to slice it thinly. The easiest way to do this is to place the steak in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it up, and then use a sharp knife to slice it into thin strips. This technique ensures that your steak cooks evenly and quickly in the air fryer.

Next, it's time to marinate your steak. A simple marinade of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce will add a boost of flavour. Place the steak strips in a bowl, add the sauces, and stir to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 4 hours to let the flavours develop.

About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature. This step ensures even cooking. You can also add sliced onions, peppers, and seasoned salt to the steak at this stage if you want to cook your veggies and steak together.

Now, it's time to cook your steak in the air fryer. Spritz or brush the steak with olive oil to coat, and then season generously with your favourite steak seasoning. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper or opt for something more complex like Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook at 380-400°F for 2-3 minutes. Then, remove the basket, flip the steak, and return it to the air fryer for an additional 1-5 minutes, depending on your desired doneness.

Finally, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This resting period ensures that the juices redistribute, keeping your steak juicy and tender.

Feel free to adjust the seasonings and cooking time to suit your taste preferences. You can also add sautéed garlic, browned onions, or herbs as a garnish to enhance the flavour of your steak sandwich.

Preparing the vegetables

First, slice your chosen vegetables into thin strips. The vegetables you can use include onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. You can also add some sliced baby portobello mushrooms and season with salt, pepper, and ground mustard.

Next, spritz the vegetables with olive oil spray to coat them evenly. Alternatively, you can toss the vegetables in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings. Set the vegetables aside until you are ready to cook them.

When you are ready to cook, place the vegetables in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370-390 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 8-12 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process. The vegetables are done when they are softened and slightly charred.

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside. You can now use these vegetables as a topping for your steak sandwich.

Preparing the bread

First, select your bread of choice. A classic white or rye sandwich loaf is a good option, or you could go for something more artisanal like sourdough or ciabatta.

Next, you'll want to slice your bread and spread a thin layer of mayo or butter on one side of each slice. You can then sprinkle Italian seasoning or seasoning of choice on the buttered side, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. Arrange your slices of steak and veggies on the bread and top with cheese. If you're feeling creative, you can try using different types of cheese, like provolone or Swiss cheese, for a slightly different flavour.

Once your sandwich is assembled, place it directly into the air fryer basket or tray. You can cook it as an "open-face" sandwich, which gives the veggies and cheese a chance to caramelize.

Air fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and golden brown and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.

And that's it! Your steak sandwich is now ready to be devoured.

Assembling the sandwich

To assemble the sandwich, start by spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise or butter on one side of each slice of bread. You can also add Italian seasoning or seasoning of your choice to the buttered side. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Next, arrange the steak slices and vegetables on the bread. You can use onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes as vegetables. Top the steak and vegetables with cheese. You can use provolone, Swiss cheese, or cheddar cheese, depending on your preference.

If you want to toast the bread, wrap the sandwich tightly in foil and place it in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 390°F. Alternatively, you can place the open-faced sandwich directly into the air fryer basket and air fry for 3-4 minutes until the bread is toasted and golden brown, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Frequently asked questions