Air Fryer Steak
on Sep 18, 2022, Updated Mar 17, 2023
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Perfectly cooked steak in an air fryer? Absolutely - great results, with a beautiful outer crust and tender meat every time.
Steak in Air Fryer
It may seem surprising that you can cook a perfect steak in an air fryer, but truly try it once, and you’ll be convinced. The hot circulating air creates a beautiful exterior crust, and keeps the meat pink, juicy and tender inside. Plus, you’ll be able to get that perfect indoor-cooked steak, without filling your house with smoke, as so often happens when you sear it on the stove.
And all you have to do is press a button and sit tight!
What Kind of Steak to cook in an Air Fryer
This method works well for any nicely marbled quick cooking steak. I used a Ribeye here, but you can also use this method for a T-Bone, NY Strip Steak, sirloin, Porterhouse and the like. The timing may vary a bit, mostly depending on the thickness and size of the steak (see below for suggested cooking times!)
What Temperature to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer
The preferred temperature is 400°F. Remember to preheat your air fryer before adding the steak. Many recipes don’t mention this, but most air fryer experts agree that for better results and more reliable cooking times, preheating the air fryer is a necessity.
Air Fryer Steak: Perfectly cooked steak in an air fryer? Absolutely – great results, with a beautiful outer crust and tender meat every time
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How Long to Cook a Rib Eye Steak in an Air Fryer
The thickness is the most important factor in determining cooking time. Thicker steaks, as one would imagine, take longer to cook. The size of the steak in weight also can be relevant; larger steaks will also take longer to cook. However, the thickness of the steak is the first think to take into account in calculating how long to cook your steak.
For a 1-inch steak this should be about 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare, 9 to 11 minutes for medium, and 11 to 14 minutes for medium-well.
| Doneness | 1-Inch Thick | 1.5-Inch Thick | Internal Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 6 – 8 minutes | 7 – 9 minutes | 125℉ |
| Medium Rare | 7 – 10 minutes | 8 – 12 minutes | 130℉ |
| Medium | 9 – 11 minutes | 11 – 13 minutes | 140℉ |
| Medium-Well | 11 – 14 minutes | 14 – 16 minutes | 150℉ |
| Well Done | 12 – 14 minutes | 17 – 20 minutes | 155℉ |
Air Fryer Steak Ingredients
Obviously there is the steak! I used an 18-ounce 1-inch thick ribeye steak. The steak is lightly oiled and then generously seasoned with salt and pepper
Then there is the super simple compound or flavored butter, which you use to top the warm cooked steak, either before or after you slice it. This is simply softened butter combined with parsley, thyme, and garlic (you can change up the herbs and seasonings). The flavorful butter melts right over the steak, infusing it with tons of flavor. You can make the butter while the steak cooks.
How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer
Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes prior to cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
Rub the steak with olive oil and season the steak on both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the middle of the air fryer basket and cook until it reaches your desired doneness. For a 1-inch steak this should be about 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare, 9 to 11 minutes for medium, and 11 to 14 minutes for medium-well.
While the steak is cooking, in a small bowl using a fork combine the butter, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.
Transfer the steak to a cutting board and top it with the compound butter, allowing the butter to melt over the warm steak. Let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the steak whole or sliced.
Tips for Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer
- Bring steak to room temperature before cooking it in the air fryer
- Don’t crowd the steaks – if you are cooking more than one steak in an air fryer, make sure the basket is large enough so that the steaks can have at least 1-inch between them.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak:
- Roasted Potatoes
- Funeral Potatoes
- Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Best Garlic Bread
- Roasted Carrots with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Creamed Spinach
Other Steak Recipes:
- How to Cook Rib-Eye Steaks on the Stove
- Steak au Poivre
- Marinated Petite Filets
- Filet Mignon with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Lemon-Herb Mayo
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Air Fryer Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce) 1-inch thick ribeye steak , or other nicely marbled steak
- 1 teaspoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
Instructions
- Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes prior to cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F.
- Rub the steak with olive oil and season the steak on both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the middle of the air fryer basket and cook until it reaches your desired doneness. For a 1-inch steak this should be about 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare, 10 to 12 minutes for medium, and 12 to 14 minutes for medium-well.
- While the steak is cooking, in a small bowl using a fork combine the butter, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board and top it with the compound butter, allowing the butter to melt over the warm steak. Let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the steak whole or sliced
Notes
| Doneness | 1-Inch Thick | 1.5-Inch Thick | Internal Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 6 – 8 minutes | 7 – 9 minutes | 125℉ |
| Medium Rare | 7 – 10 minutes | 8 – 12 minutes | 130℉ |
| Medium | 9 – 11 minutes | 11 – 13 minutes | 140℉ |
| Medium-Well | 11 – 14 minutes | 14 – 16 minutes | 150℉ |
| Well Done | 12 – 14 minutes | 17 – 20 minutes | 155℉ |
