I love cooking with my air fryer and it’s no exception when it comes to preparing a delicious steak. With its ability to create a perfect balance of tenderness and a crispy sear, air fryer steak is the way to go!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making mouthwatering air fryer steak.
Air fryer steak can be served with your favorite vegetable side dishes or a simple salad and bread; but it can also transform into so many other meals as well. You could use this recipe for fajitas, rice bowls, stir fry dishes or tossed in your favorite pasta and sauce.
Related: How to Broil Steak in the oven and how to cook steak on the stovetop. My other favorite way to make steak at home! Plus here’s how to make Chimichurri sauce. And next try my meatloaf recipe.
Ingredients
- Steak – sirloin, ribeye or strip
- Olive oil
- Seasoning – a mix or your favorites (see recipe card notes below)
- Salt and pepper
Directions
Preparing the Steaks:
Start by ensuring your steaks are at room temperature. This allows for more even cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Season both sides generously. Let the steaks sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Greasing the Air Fryer Basket:
To prevent the steaks from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly grease it with olive oil or cooking spray. This will also aid in achieving a crispy crust.
Air Frying the Steaks:
Place the seasoned steaks in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. It’s important to leave enough space between the steaks for proper airflow and even cooking.
Now, cook the steaks at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes for medium rare, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
For a more well-done steak, increase the cooking time by a few minutes. The steak you see pictured in this post was cooked for 11 minutes and I’d say it’s on the medium well side.
Note: Cooking times may vary based on the thickness of the steaks and the desired level of doneness.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure your steak reaches the desired internal temperature. For medium rare, aim for an internal temperature of around 135°F (57°C).
Resting and Serving:
Once the steaks are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a more tender and flavorful steak.
Slice the steaks against the grain to maximize tenderness, and serve while they’re still hot.
Serving Suggestions
Here are more ideas of what to serve alongside air fryer steak:
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato
- Classic Baked Potato – in an air fryer, oven, or microwave
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Carrots
- Air Fryer Zucchini
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer. However, for air fryer steak I recommend brushing the basket with oil or spraying with cooking oil instead of parchment paper.
What internal temperature should you cook steak to?
Rare: 125°F
Medium Rare: 135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium Well: 155°F
Well: 160°F
Will steak stick to my air fryer?
It can, so be sure to brush the basket with oil or spray with cooking spray before air frying. If you find your steak has stuck to the basket a little, use tongs to gently loosen it, taking care not to completely remove the sear.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can create restaurant-quality steak in the comfort of your own kitchen. Prepare to impress your family and friends with your newfound air frying skills. Enjoy!
Remember, this guide is meant to help you make a delicious air fryer steak, but feel free to experiment with different seasonings and cooking times to suit your personal preferences. Happy air frying!
Get our FREE recipe guide with our most popular recipes of all time!
Free Popular Recipe Guide
Our top 25 recipes of all time!
Get the Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 steaks (sirloin)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons seasoning mix
- salt and pepper
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Instructions
- Start by ensuring your steaks are at room temperature. This allows for more even cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Season both sides generously.
- Let the steaks sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- To prevent the steaks from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly grease it with olive oil or cooking spray. This will also aid in achieving a crispy crust.
- Place the seasoned steaks in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. It’s important to leave enough space between the steaks for proper airflow and even cooking.
- Cook the steaks at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes for medium rare, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. For a more well-done steak, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
- Once the steaks are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes.
- Slice the steaks against the grain to maximize tenderness and serve while they’re still hot.
Notes
Medium Rare: 135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium Well: 155°F
Well: 160°F
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
This is how my husband usually does it 🙂 I’m veggie but I support the meat eaters haha
I love how simple this is. It sounds delicious and easy and doable.
I’m obsessed with my air fryer! It’s a true lifesaver when it comes to effortlessly cooking