Air Fryer Frozen Steak: Perfect Temperature Tips

Frozen steak can be cooked in an air fryer in around 30 minutes, depending on how well done you like your steak. You can brush or spray the steak with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic powder before placing it in the air fryer. The temperature and cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 400°F/200°C, a rare steak will take around 10 minutes, while a medium steak will take around 16 minutes.

Cooking times and temperatures for different levels of doneness

The cooking time and temperature for an air-fried steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 400°F/200°C, the cooking times are as follows:

• Rare: 49-57°C (120-130°F) for approximately 10 minutes
• Medium rare: 54-57°C (130-135°F) for approximately 12-14 minutes
• Medium: 57-63°C (135-145°F) for approximately 16 minutes
• Medium well: 63-68°C (145-155°F) for approximately 20 minutes
• Well done: 68-74°C (155-165°F) for approximately 22 minutes

For a steak cooked at 400°F, the cooking time will be between 18 and 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. It is recommended to flip the steak once halfway through the cooking time. After cooking, allow the steak to rest in the warm air fryer for 3-5 minutes, then use a thermometer to check that it has reached your desired internal temperature.

How to season the steak

To season the steak, brush or spray both sides of the frozen steak with olive oil. Then, sprinkle the steak with salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic powder. You can also spritz the air fryer basket with cooking oil before placing the steak inside.

After cooking the steak, you can sprinkle it with flaky sea salt.

How to check the steak is cooked to your liking

To check that your steak is cooked to your liking, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer to take the temperature of the steak throughout the cooking process. The temperature you should be aiming for depends on how you like your steak cooked. For a rare steak, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 49-57℃ (120-130℉). For a medium-rare steak, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 54-57℃ (130-135℉). For a medium steak, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 57-63℃ (135-145℉). For a medium-well steak, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 63-68℃ (145-155℉). And for a well-done steak, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 68-74℃ (155-165℉).

It's important to note that all air fryers cook a little bit differently, so the cooking times listed are approximate. The cooking time will also depend on the thickness of your steak. As a general rule, thicker steaks will take longer to cook than thinner steaks.

To use an instant-read meat thermometer, simply insert it into the thickest part of the steak and read the temperature. If you don't have an instant-read meat thermometer, you can also check the doneness of your steak by cutting into it and checking the colour of the meat. Rare steak will be bright red, medium-rare will be pink, medium will be light pink, medium-well will be slightly pink, and well-done will be brown with no pink.

Finally, it's important to let your steak rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak. The resting time will depend on the thickness of your steak, but as a general rule, thicker steaks will require a longer resting time.

The best type of steak to use

When cooking steak in an air fryer, it's important to consider the thickness of the steak and your desired level of doneness. A thinner steak will cook more quickly and may be more likely to dry out, so it's best to choose a thicker cut, such as a ribeye or strip steak.

If you're looking for a steak that will be tender and juicy, go for a ribeye or strip steak with a good amount of marbling. The fat in the meat will help to keep it moist and flavourful.

For a more affordable option, a sirloin steak can also work well in an air fryer. Just be aware that it may not be quite as tender as a ribeye or strip steak.

Finally, when cooking steak in an air fryer, it's important to let it rest for a few minutes after cooking. This will help the juices redistribute and ensure that your steak is juicy and flavourful.

How to serve the steak

To serve the steak, allow it to rest in the warm air fryer for 3-5 minutes. Then, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature and confirm that it has reached your desired temperature. You can then serve the steak with a pat of butter.

If you like your steak medium rare, the internal temperature should be 54-57℃ (130-135℉) or 120-125℉. For a medium steak, the internal temperature should be 57-63℃ (135-145℉). A medium well steak should be cooked to 63-68℃ (145-155℉), and a well-done steak should be cooked to 68-74℃ (155-165℉).

Frequently asked questions