Air Fryer Steak is a delicious way to cook steak. The results are a little crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect to use as a main dish with potatoes or chopped up in a salad. You can also marinate your steaks beforehand for more flavor and tenderness!
Air Fryer Steak
Wondering if you can cook a steak in the air fryer? Yes, you definitely can! It’s super easy to do. First, prep the steak by removing any moisture with paper towel.
Next, prep the steak by seasoning it with cooking oil, salt and pepper, and a bit of garlic powder. Preheat the air fryer, and cook! From start to finish it only takes about 20 minutes.
Cooking your steak in an air fryer is quick and fast and produces great results! An air fryer allows hot air to circulate around the steak entirely. The result is more even cooking, less fuss on your end, and crispy but tender results.
For more easy air fryer recipes try pairing this steak with our air fryer potatoes, tender air fryer broccoli, easy green beans, or crispy air fryer brussels sprouts.
Recipe Ingredients
Full ingredient details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
- STEAK – Steak cuts like rib-eye, sirloin, or strip-loin are naturally more tender. If you’re using a different cut it will still work, but you can also marinate the steak to help tenderize it more before cooking.
- OIL – I used olive oil, but you can also use vegetable oil.
- GARLIC POWDER – I used this as a spice rub on the raw steak with salt and pepper. It helps to add more flavor.
- SALT AND PEPPER – Before the steak bits go in the air fryer, make sure to season all sides with salt & pepper generously.
How To Make Air Fryer Steak
Here’s a quick overview with the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post:
- PREHEAT – Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- PREP – Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Then rub salt and pepper into each side.
- COOK – Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. You might need to cook in multiple batches. Cook for 10-14 minutes (depending on desired doneness), flipping the steak halfway through that time.
- LET SIT – Remove to a plate immediately and let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
How Long To Air Fry Steak Cuts
Here is a basic guideline to follow for how long to cook 1-2 lbs of steak that is approximately 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
How To Store
Leftover steak can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. It can be reheated in the air fryer or microwave.
Recipe Tips
- The steak will continue to cook a bit after you remove it from the air fryer so it’s best to slightly undercook rather than overcook it.
- Preheat your air fryer first. This will give you the best crispy outside.
- Pat the raw steak with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Always flip the steak halfway through cooking to get an even cooking.
- Every air fryer is different and cooking times will vary slightly.
- Check in the last couple of minutes to make sure they’re not overcooking. Use a meat thermometer for this. Every air fryer is different so it might take a little bit of practice getting used to your temperature and how it works.
FAQs
Never cut into your steak to see if it is done! This will release all the delicious juices inside and will dry out the meat.
Instead, you want to use a meat thermometer. This is always the best way to check if any meat you are cooking is done. Steak should reach an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare, the USDA recommends using 145°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done. Just poke the meat thermometer right in the center of the steak where it is the thickest.
Technically you can, but you risk overcooking the beef. If you prefer well done steak, then that’s no problem! But if you prefer a medium rare steak, then you will have more success if you thaw the steak first.
It depends! Leaner cuts of beef including top loin, t-bone, tenderloin, or ribeye are not always in the budget (especially these days with the rising costs at the grocery store) but will work in an air fryer.
Chuck steaks, flank steaks, skirt steaks, and hangar steaks tend to be cheaper and less tender. Consider marinating these steaks first. This will not only help to add deeper flavor to the steak, but it will also help to tenderize the meat. The steak I used in the photos was a bottom sirloin “tri-tip steak”.
Three things can help with this: First, marinate the steak first if you have time (it requires 2 hours minimum). This will help to create more tender steak.
Second, avoid overcooking the steak – you can use a meat thermometer to check this. Poke it into the middle of the steak for a proper reading. Lastly, let the steak rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cutting to allow the internal juices to circulate.
For more easy ways to use your air fryer, try these air fryer recipes. They’re all very simple and easy including air fryer chicken breast recipe, air fryer broccoli, air fryer chicken thighs, healthy flavorful green beans, the crispiest brussels sprouts and my popular air fryer chicken legs recipe.
Air Fryer Steak
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
Instructions
- Let the steaks sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat the steaks dry with paper towel. Rub olive oil over both sides of the steak. Season both sides with salt and pepper and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Preheat the air fryer by letting it run at 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Arrange the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400°F and start the timer at 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, and 14 minutes for medium-well. Flip the steaks over halfway through cooking.
- 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.
Recipe Notes:
- medium-rare = 135° F
- medium = 145° F
- medium-well = 150° F
- well done = 160° F
- Three things can help with this: First, marinate the steak first if you have time (it requires 2 hours minimum). This will help to create more tender steak.
- Second, avoid overcooking the steak – you can use a meat thermometer to check this. Poke it into the middle of the steak for a proper reading. This step is crucial for getting the best cooked steak!
- Lastly, let the steak rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cutting to allow the internal juices to circulate.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.