Love air fryer recipes? Try air fryer cod, air fryer fried chicken, air fryer filet mignon, and air fryer salmon bites. If you’ve ever been skeptical about cooking steaks perfectly, cooking them in the air fryer will be your new favorite way. Stop being intimidated by cooking this gorgeous cut of meat—it is SO easy.
Why I love this recipe
It cooks in minimal time, keeps ALL the juices, and is lower in fat. Don’t let that detract you, though: It’s juicy, tender, and easy to customize. Keep it simply seasoned, or add my famous 3 ingredient steak marinade to it. There is no marinating time needed, so it’s perfect for a high-protein weeknight dinner. As much as I love pan seared steak, sous vide steak or cast iron steak, the air fryer is the easiest cooking method.
Ingredients needed
Like any good steak, this one needs just a handful of ingredients to let the meat shine. Here is what you’ll need:
Steaks. Choose a porterhouse or sirloin steak with 1-inch thickness and around 1/2 a pound in weight with no bones. These two cuts of steak need the least amount of babysitting, which is perfect with the air fryer. Olive oil. For cooking steaks. Butter or any other neutral oil works too. Kosher salt and black pepper. To season. Garlic herb butter. Or compound butter to serve.
How to air fry steak
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Choosing the best cut of steak for the air fryer is a hassle-free process because you have multiple options. Some of the best options (besides the ones listed above) are New York strip, ribeye, t-bone, top sirloin, and filet mignon. Step 1- Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 2-Season. Season the steaks with oil, salt, and pepper on the steaks. Step 3- Air fry. Cook steaks in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes and flip after half cooking time. Step 4- Serve. Serve after letting the steaks rest for 10 minutes. Add a pat of garlic butter on top.
Steak doneness levels
If you are like me, you love your steak cooked a certain way. You can cook your steak a little longer/quicker if you want it rare or well done. Here are the internal temperatures the steaks should be for different cooked levels (check using a meat thermometer): The thicker the steak is, the greater the cooking time will be. Using 1-inch steaks as a base, they require 10-12 minutes. Anything more than that and you’ll need to increase the cooking time accordingly. A way to check if the steak is done is to check its internal temperature using a meat thermometer (see below).
Rare steaks: Steak should have an internal temperature between 125F and 130F. Medium-rare steaks: Internal temperature between 130F and 140F. Medium steaks: 140F-150F. Well done steaks: 160F.
Tips to make the best recipe
Don’t use steaks that are less than an inch in thickness. Thin steaks are prone to overcooking quickly and becoming chewy. To enjoy the best flavor and texture, allow the steaks to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking them in the air fryer. I typically remove them before I do any prep. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, and leave some space between the steaks for airflow to cook evenly. If needed, cook the steaks in batches. Pat dry the steaks before seasoning them.
Flavor variations
This air fryer steak recipe is made with simple ingredients, but it’s easy to customize. Here are some ideas:
Add a steak rub from your grocery store or specialty spice shop. Marinate it in dressing or marinade for an extra juicy flavor punch. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavors and give it a gorgeous caramelized crust (like a sear!). Cover it in creamy sauces for a comforting meal, like alfredo sauce, cheese sauce, or even gravy. Add spices like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for a smoky flavor hit. Use fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, thyme, or oregano.
Storage instructions
To store: Place the steak and any excess juices in a shallow container and store it in a refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled steak in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheating: Either microwave the steak for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a non-stick pan until hot.
More air fryer recipes to try
Chicken breast– Ready in just 8 minutes and super juicy. Chicken thighs– Crispy skin and juicy meat. Pork chops– My family LOVES pork chops this way. Salmon– Foolproof method for perfectly flaky and crisp salmon. Chicken drumsticks– None of the mess, all of the flavor.
Originally published June 2022, updated March 2024
