Air Fryer Steak
Air Fryer Steak transforms good-quality beef into a restaurant-worthy dinner using circulating hot air for a perfect sear while maintaining juicy, tender interiors. Simple seasonings and precise timing yield steakhouse results with minimal effort and cleanup.
Ingredients
- 2 steaks ribeye, New York strip, or sirloin, 1 to 1½ inches thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme optional
- 2 tablespoons butter optional, for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare the steaks by removing them from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature, which ensures even cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 3 minutes, creating the hot environment needed for a proper sear.
- Pat the steaks completely dry with paper towels – this is crucial for achieving a good sear rather than steaming the meat.
- Brush steaks with olive oil on all sides, then season generously with salt and pepper, pressing the seasonings into the meat to adhere.
- Place steaks in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap and there’s space for air to circulate around each piece.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then flip the steaks and cook for another 3-6 minutes, depending on thickness and desired doneness (see temperature guide in Notes).
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer – 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, remembering the temperature will rise another 5°F while resting.
- Transfer steaks to a cutting board and optionally top with butter and herbs, then tent loosely with foil and rest for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- For best results, choose steaks that are at least 1-inch thick, as thinner cuts cook too quickly in the air fryer.
- The exact cooking time will vary based on your air fryer model, the steak’s thickness, and how well-done you prefer your steak.
- Temperature guide: Rare: 125°F (52°C), Medium-rare: 135°F (57°C), Medium: 145°F (63°C), Medium-well: 150°F (66°C), Well-done: 160°F (71°C)
- For added flavor, place the butter and herbs on the steak immediately after removing from the air fryer – the residual heat will melt the butter and release the herb oils.
- No need to flip more than once – excessive flipping prevents proper sear development.