If you’re looking to make a perfectly cooked and irresistibly juicy steak, then look no further than your air fryer. Yep! Air Fryer Steak not only gives you juicy and seared steak but is also ready super fast! It’s an easy recipe that will impress all your friends and family.
Why Choose the Air Fryer for Steak?
The air fryer is not just for crispy fries; it’s a game-changer for cooking steak too! Here’s why:
- Even Cooking: The air fryer’s circulating hot air ensures your steak cooks evenly on all sides, leaving no room for uneven cooking or overcooked edges.
- Retains Juiciness: Say goodbye to dry and tough steaks. The air fryer locks in the juices, resulting in a succulent and tender piece of meat.
- Speedy Cooking: No more waiting for the oven to preheat or firing up the grill. The air fryer cooks your steak in a fraction of the time, perfect for quick and satisfying meals.
The Ingredients
- T-Bone, Sirloin, Porterhouse or NY Strip Steak, at room temperature
- kosher salt
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- butter, at room temperature
- fresh parsley or thyme chopped, for serving
How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
- Prep: Preheat air fryer for 400°F for 1 minute. Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Place the steak on a plate and sprinkle on both side with the salt, garlic and onion powder plus pepper to taste.
- Air Fry: Place the steaks in the preheated air fryer basket and cook 7-10 minutes for medium rare (12 minutes for medium) flipping halfway through.
- Rest: Remove steaks to a cutting board and allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing in order for the juices to settle and redistribute. Top with butter, slice and top with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips for Cooking the Perfect Air Fryer Steak
- Choose the Best Cut: Opt for well-marbled cuts like ribeye or New York strip for juicier and more flavorful air fryer steaks, but any steak will do. I will say to choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast and can turn out rubbery.
- Pat Dry Before Seasoning: Ensure the steak’s surface is dry by patting it with paper towels before applying seasoning for a nice sear. If there’s too much moisture on the steak the air fryer will steam them instead of brown.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Allow the steak to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking to ensure more even cooking.
- Adjust Cooking Time for Thickness: Thicker steaks may require slightly longer cooking times. Adjust accordingly based on the steak’s thickness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Ensure your air fryer is preheated for a few minutes before cooking to start the process immediately.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook only one or two steaks at a time to prevent overcrowding the air fryer basket, which may result in uneven cooking.
- Allow Steak to Rest: Let the cooked steak rest for 5 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and flavorful steak.
How Long Do Steaks Take to Air Fry?
- For Medium-Rare Steak: A 1-inch steak will take 7-10 minutes for medium rare in a preheated air fryer. For 1.5-inch steaks it will take 8-12 minutes to achieve medium rare.
- For Medium Steak: A 1-inch steak will take 12 minutes for medium in a preheated air fryer.
Steak Temperature
Check your steak’s doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure your desired temperature. Take out the steak 5 degrees before your desired doneness as it will continue to cook as it rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
Sides for This Dish
- Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Green Bean and Bacon Saute
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Summer Garden Salad
- Air Fryer Okra
Take your steak game to a whole new level with the air fryer and enjoy the gratification of the perfect steak every time! Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments and tag me on social media if you make it!
Images by Ivan Solis
Air Fryer Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 T-Bone, Sirloin, Porterhouse or NY Strip Steak at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter at room temperature
- fresh parsley or thyme chopped for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer for 400°F for 1 minute.
- Pat steak dry with paper towels. Place on a plate and and sprinkle on both side with the salt, garlic and onion powder plus pepper to taste.
- Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook 7-10 minutes for medium rare (12 minutes for medium) flipping halfway through. The thickness of your steak and the size of your air fryer will affect cook time, so keep an eye on them.
- Remove steaks to a cutting board and allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing in order for the juices to settle and redistribute.
- Top with butter, slice and top with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Choose the Best Cut: Opt for well-marbled cuts like ribeye or New York strip for juicier and more flavorful air fryer steaks, but any steak will do. I will say to choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast and can turn out rubbery.
- Pat Dry Before Seasoning: Ensure the steak’s surface is dry by patting it with paper towels before applying seasoning for better flavor infusion and a nice sear. If there’s too much moisture on the steak the air fryer will steam them instead of brown.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Allow the seasoned steak to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking to ensure more even cooking.
- Adjust Cooking Time for Thickness: Thicker steaks may require slightly longer cooking times. Adjust accordingly based on the steak’s thickness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Ensure your air fryer is preheated for a few minutes before cooking to start the process immediately.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook only one or two steaks at a time to prevent overcrowding the air fryer basket, which may result in uneven cooking.
- Allow Steak to Rest: Let the cooked steak rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and flavorful steak.
- For Medium-Rare Steak: A 1-inch steak will take 7-10 minutes for medium rare in a preheated air fryer. For 1.5-inch steaks it will take 8-12 minutes for medium rare.
- For Medium Steak: A 1-inch steak will take 12 minutes for medium in a preheated air fryer.