Air fryer steak is the new perfect way to cook a steak, resulting in a perfectly tender and juicy steak with a golden, crispy crust. Attempting to get the perfect sear, acing your desired doneness, and dodging splattering oil can cause even the most avid home cooks some stress. That being said, what if we told you there was an easier way? Enter: the magic air fryer. Just pop your steak into the air fryer (no need to sear beforehand!), and in a little over 10 minutes, you’ll have a perfectly done steak to slather with homemade herb butter. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day dinner to impress without any added stress (or a messy kitchen), turn to this steak dinner. The best part? This recipe works for a variety of cuts of steak and desired doneness. Read on for all our tips on how to create perfect steak in the air fryer: Delish
Why Choose an Air Fryer for Steak?
Cooking steak in an air fryer might sound unconventional, but it’s a game-changer for busy home cooks or those looking to avoid the mess of traditional methods. The air fryer’s high heat and rapid air circulation create a crispy, seared exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Unlike pan-searing, which can fill your kitchen with smoke, or grilling, which requires outdoor space and constant attention, the air fryer offers a hands-off, low-mess solution. It’s also faster than an oven and doesn’t require preheating a grill, making it ideal for weeknight dinners. Plus, it uses minimal oil, which is a healthier alternative to the butter-heavy cast-iron method, as noted by Verde Farms.
Choosing the Right Steak
Not all steaks are created equal when it comes to air frying. The best cuts are those about 1-inch thick, as thinner cuts can overcook quickly, leading to a dry texture. Recommended cuts include ribeye, New York strip, sirloin, porterhouse, or filet mignon. Ribeye, with its rich marbling, is a favorite because it stays juicy even at high heat. For leaner cuts like sirloin, a light coating of oil is crucial to prevent drying out. Always choose steaks with some fat content for better flavor and texture. If you’re unsure about cuts, check out this guide from The Kitchn for more details on selecting the perfect steak.
Preparation Tips for Perfect Results
Before you even turn on the air fryer, a few prep steps can make all the difference. First, let your steak come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This ensures even cooking, as a cold steak can end up with a raw center and overcooked edges. Pat the steak dry with paper towels to promote browning and prevent steaming. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil or melted butter to enhance browning and help seasonings stick. For seasoning, keep it simple with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, or elevate it with a steak rub, Montreal seasoning, or even a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky kick. If you’re feeling adventurous, marinate the steak for 30 minutes in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil for extra flavor, but don’t overdo it, as prolonged marinating can toughen the meat.
Cooking Process: Step-by-Step
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for at least 5 minutes to ensure a hot cooking environment, which mimics the sear of a skillet. If your air fryer has a basket, lightly coat it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the steaks in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap, as overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking. For a 1-inch-thick steak, cook times vary based on your desired doneness:
- Rare (125°F): 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Medium-Rare (130-135°F): 10-12 minutes, flipping at 5-6 minutes.
- Medium (140-145°F): 12-14 minutes, flipping at 6-7 minutes.
- Well-Done (160°F): 14-16 minutes, flipping at 7-8 minutes.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, removing the steak 5°F below your target doneness, as it will continue to cook while resting. If your steak is thicker or thinner, adjust the time accordingly—add or subtract 1-2 minutes per quarter-inch. Some air fryers, like the Cosori perform better at high heat, so test your model for consistency.
Resting and Serving
Once cooked, transfer the steaks to a plate and loosely tent with foil for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. Skipping this step can result in dry meat, as the juices will spill out when you cut into it. For an extra touch, top your steak with a pat of garlic-herb butter, made by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness and serve with classic sides like mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or air-fried French fries for a complete meal.
Tips for Success
To nail air fryer steak every time, keep these pointers in mind. Always preheat the air fryer to get that coveted crust. Don’t skip the oil, as it’s key to browning, especially for leaner cuts. If you’re cooking multiple steaks, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding. For an extra flavor boost, try a compound butter with herbs or even a drizzle of chimichurri sauce. If your air fryer doesn’t brown as well as you’d like, you can finish the steak with a quick sear in a hot skillet for 30 seconds per side. Lastly, invest in a good meat thermometer to eliminate guesswork—precision is key for perfect doneness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One pitfall is overcrowding the air fryer basket, which prevents proper air circulation and leads to steaming instead of searing. Another is forgetting to pat the steak dry, which can result in a gray, lackluster exterior. Avoid cooking steaks straight from the fridge, as they won’t cook evenly. Finally, don’t rely solely on time—air fryer models vary, and factors like steak thickness and starting temperature can affect results. A thermometer is your best friend here.
Bring the bistro experience home with Air Fryer Steak! Seared outside, juicy inside, and fast, air fried steak is astonishingly easy and tastes phenomenal. It changed the way we cook steak at home! From time to time, we’ll send you Well Plated emails. You can unsubscribe anytime. Have an account? Log In. My new favorite way to cook steak. High heat is the best for cooking steak because the less time it spends cooking, the more tender it will be. That makes the air fryer ideal for steak. Seriously, it’s a game-changer. In addition, I love the air fryer for a busy weeknight because it’s so fast. No preheating the oven or grill! In fact, most of the time required for this recipe is bringing the steak to room temperature, which is totally hands off. This affords you extra time to prep side dishes or knock out some of your to-do list—and it gives you some time to make the herb butter, which really gives this air fryer steak steakhouse vibes.
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