Make Tender Steak In An Air Fryer: Tips And Tricks

Cooking steak in an air fryer is an easy way to achieve a tender and juicy steak with a crispy exterior. The high heat of an air fryer is perfect for cooking steak as the less time it spends cooking, the more tender the meat will be. There are a few simple steps to follow to ensure your steak is cooked to perfection. Firstly, allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking, this usually takes around 30 minutes. Then, brush the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, or a seasoning of your choice. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the steak inside for around 10 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through. Once cooked, let the steak rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Choose the right cut of steak: ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip

Choosing the right cut of steak is essential for achieving the perfect air fryer steak. While personal preference plays a role in selecting the best cut, some options are better suited to this cooking method than others. Here's a detailed guide to help you choose between ribeye, sirloin, and New York strip for your next air fryer steak dinner:

Ribeye Steak

Ribeye steak is a popular choice for air frying due to its marbling, which refers to the fat distributed throughout the meat. This fat helps keep the steak juicy and flavourful. When cooked properly, ribeye steak is tender and juicy, with a nice sear on the outside achieved by the high heat of the air fryer. It's important to note that the temperature will increase slightly as the steak rests, so you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Sirloin Steak

Sirloin steak is another excellent option for air frying, especially if you prefer a leaner cut of meat. Sirloin has less marbling than ribeye, so it cooks faster and may require a slightly shorter cooking time. It's important to ensure your sirloin steak reaches room temperature before cooking and to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and doneness.

New York Strip Steak

New York strip steak, also known as strip steak, is a favourite among steak lovers for its robust flavour and tender texture. When cooked in an air fryer, it develops a delicious crispy outer crust while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. One of the benefits of cooking New York strip steak in an air fryer is the convenience and ease of the process. You don't have to worry about the mess and hassle of grilling or dealing with grease splatters on your stovetop.

Tips for Choosing the Right Cut

• Consider the fat content: Fat contributes to the juiciness and flavour of the steak. Ribeye and New York strip have more marbling, while sirloin is a leaner option.
• Thickness: For even cooking, choose steaks with an even thickness. This ensures that your steak cooks evenly throughout.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Cook one or two steaks at a time to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Bring steaks to room temperature: Allow your steaks to reach room temperature before cooking. This helps the steak cook more evenly and promotes tenderness.
• Slice against the grain: Cutting your steak against the grain makes it more tender and improves the overall dining experience.

Use an air fryer with at least 1800 watts for best results

How to Make Steak Tender in an Air Fryer:

The wattage of your air fryer can make a difference in how well your steak is cooked. Air fryers with at least 1800 watts, like the GoWISE Air Fryer, tend to brown steaks more effectively.

If you're using a lower-wattage air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time and keep a close eye on your steak to prevent overcooking or undercooking.

• Choose the right cut of steak. Good options include ribeye, sirloin, New York strip, porterhouse, and filet mignon.
• Ensure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks can overcook quickly and become chewy.
• Let your steaks reach room temperature before cooking. This promotes more even cooking and results in a more tender steak.
• Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F.
• Season your steaks with oil, salt, and pepper, or a steak rub. You can also marinate the steaks beforehand for extra flavour.
• Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for airflow. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook the steaks for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the thickness of the steaks.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steaks to ensure they're cooked to your preferred level of doneness.
• Let the steaks rest for about 10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
• Serve the steaks with your choice of sides, such as garlic butter, salad, potatoes, or vegetables.

Ensure your steak is at least 1 inch thick

Choosing the Right Steak Thickness for Your Air Fryer

When making steak in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that your steak is at least 1 inch thick. This is because thinner steaks will cook too quickly and won't have time to brown properly, becoming chewy. A steak that is at least 1 inch thick will allow for a good sear on the outside, while still remaining juicy and tender on the inside.

Choosing the Right Cut of Steak

When selecting a steak for your air fryer, it is best to go for a cut such as ribeye, sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, or top sirloin. These cuts tend to require less attention during cooking, making them ideal for the air fryer.

Preparing Your Steak

Before cooking, it is important to bring your steak to room temperature. This will ensure more even cooking and a more tender steak. For the best results, allow your steak to sit out for 20-30 minutes before cooking. Once your steak is at room temperature, pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help ensure a nice crust forms during cooking.

Cooking Your Steak

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Then, rub your steak with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper, or a steak seasoning blend of your choice. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes for a 1-inch-thick steak, flipping it halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness, with thicker steaks requiring a bit more time.

Checking for Doneness

To check if your steak is done, it is best to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. For a rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F-130°F. For medium-rare, cook to 130°F-140°F. Medium steaks should be cooked to 140°F-150°F, while well-done steaks should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Resting and Serving

Once your steak has reached the desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. Finally, slice your steak against the grain and serve it with your favorite sides.

Let the steak come to room temperature before cooking

Allowing your steak to come to room temperature before cooking is an important step in achieving an evenly cooked, tender steak. It is recommended that you let your steak sit out for at least 20 minutes, but preferably 30 minutes, to reach room temperature. This is a hands-off process, so you can use this time to prepare side dishes or perform other tasks.

Bringing your steak to room temperature is critical because it ensures that your steak cooks evenly. If you place a cold steak in the air fryer, the outside will overcook by the time the inside reaches the desired temperature. By letting your steak come to room temperature first, you reduce the risk of overcooking the exterior and ending up with a chewy steak.

Additionally, this step is important because it gives you time to properly prep your steak. Before cooking, you should always pat your steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Moisture on the surface of the steak will cause steaming rather than browning, which is essential for developing a nice crust. After patting the steak dry, brush or rub both sides with olive oil to help the steak brown better and achieve that perfect sear.

Finally, letting your steak come to room temperature gives you time to season the meat. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is all you need to let the flavour of the meat shine. However, if you prefer a more complex flavour profile, you can use a dry rub with spices like garlic powder and paprika, or a wet rub with olive oil.

Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes after cooking

Resting the steak after cooking is a critical step in the process of making a tender steak in an air fryer. By letting the steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes, you allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. This step also gives the steak time to cool slightly, making it easier to handle and slice.

During the resting period, the steak's internal temperature will continue to rise, so it's important to remove it from the air fryer a few degrees before it reaches your desired doneness. For instance, if you're aiming for a medium-rare steak, you should remove it from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, as it will continue to cook and rise to the ideal temperature of 135°F while resting.

Additionally, resting the steak gives you the perfect opportunity to prepare any sides or sauces to accompany your meal. For instance, you could make a delicious garlic herb butter to melt over your steak, enhancing its flavour and juiciness.

Finally, when resting the steak, it's important to let it sit on a plate or in a container, loosely covered or tented with foil, to prevent it from continuing to cook in the residual heat. This ensures that your steak remains tender and juicy and doesn't overcook.

Frequently asked questions