Air Fryer Steak

Air Fryer Steak makes a perfect seared, seasoned, buttery outside and tender inside cooked to your liking. It's a fast, easy, and delicious way to cook steak.

Air Fryer Steak

Yes! Cooking a steak in the air fryer is possible, cook it rare, medium-rare, well done, and so on. Simply remove all moisture from your steak with a paper towel, coat it with cooking oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Preheat the air fryer, and cook! From start to finish it only takes about 20 minutes.

An air fryer allows hot air to penetrate the steak from all sides allowing even cooking, less fuss, a crispy outside, and a tender inside.

For more easy air fryer recipes try pairing this steak with our air fryer potatoes, tender air fryer broccoli, or easy green beans.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 steaks, ribeye, striploin, or sirloin - about 1" thick
• 2 tsp olive oil - or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder - optional

How To Make Air Fryer Steak

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

STEP 1: Let the steaks sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat the steaks dry with paper towel.

STEP 2: Rub olive oil over both sides of the steak. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp ground black pepper and ½ tsp garlic powder.

STEP 3: Preheat the air fryer by letting it run at 400°F for 5 minutes.

STEP 4: Arrange the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer, cook them individually if they don't fit side-by-side without touching.

STEP 4: When the steak has finished cooking, remove, and let rest at room temperature for 5 minutes. Top each one with butter. Slice against the grain and serve.

How Long To Air Fry Steak Cuts

Here is a basic guideline to cook 1-2 lbs of steak that is 1″ thick. It is best to use the meat thermometer to check when your steak is ready as no two steaks are ever exactly the same in size.

Please use this guide with discretion as every air fryer will work a bit differently. You will have to test yours to see exactly how much time it takes to cook.

• RARE (cool red center) – Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it reaches 125°F
• MEDIUM RARE (warm red center) – Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until it reaches 135°F
• MEDIUM (warm pink center) – Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until reaches 145°F
• MEDIUM WELL (slightly pink center) – Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side until it reaches 150°F
• WELL DONE (no pink) – Cook for 7-8 minutes per side until it reaches 160°F

FAQs

Can I air-fry a frozen steak? Technically you can, but you risk overcooking the beef. If you prefer a medium rare steak, then you will have more success if you thaw it first.

What steak cut should I use? The steak in the photos is a bottom sirloin or tri-tip steak. The more expensive cuts including top loin, t-bone, tenderloin, or ribeye work well. Less expensive chuck steaks, flank steaks, skirt steaks, and hangar steaks also work and tend to be less tender.

You can tenderize the steak by marinating. This often reduces cooking time so avoid overcooking by checking the temperature of your steak with a thermometer.

How to store leftovers

Leftover steak can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It can be reheated in the air fryer or microwave.