This recipe for delicious Air Fryer Steaks is a snap! Sirloin steaks are rubbed with a homemade, flavorful seasoning blend and then air-fried to tender and juicy perfection! It’s an easy dinner idea you’ll make again and again!
The Best Air Fryer Steak Recipe
There are so many wonderful ways to cook and serve steak. From grilling to broiling to making it into stir-fry, it’s just a tasty meal that’s very versatile. But I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about making it in the air fryer because nothing beats a sizzling steak cooking in a cast iron skillet. Right? Well, after trying and testing it in the air fryer a couple of times, I’m finally a believer. Turns out that the air fryer’s high convection heat turns a good cut of steak into perfectly browned deliciousness with practically no effort from the cook!
Why You Should Make This Steak Recipe
- Consistent Results: Achieve a uniform sear and doneness every single time, ensuring your steak is cooked just the way you like it.
- Healthier Option: The air fryer requires minimal oil, making this steak a leaner choice without compromising on flavor.
- Less Mess: Say goodbye to splattering oil and stovetop cleanup. The air fryer contains everything, keeping your kitchen clean.
- Perfect Sear: The circulating hot air ensures your steak gets a beautiful crust on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Steak
These ingredients are very simple and very flexible! If you prefer to use a steak other than sirloin, go for it! Try to choose a tender, well-marbled steak that’s about one inch thick.
- Steak: You’ll need two sirloin steaks, around 10 to 12 ounces each, about 1-inch thick, and at room temperature. It’s important to let the steaks come to room temperature before cooking them in the air fryer, or any other cooking method.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: For rubbing and/or spraying the steaks.
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These helpful basics really add a punch of flavor.
- Paprika: You can use sweet paprika here, or smoked for a smoky and savory touch.
- Dried Herbs: Any dried herbs that you like will be fine! Dried Italian herbs, herbes de Provence, and plain dried rosemary are all great options.
- Butter and Fresh Chopped Parsley: For garnish.
Should I Use Frozen or Fresh Steak?
It’s generally agreed that the very best steak is steak that hasn’t been frozen at all, ever. This is because freezing the meat causes ice crystals to form, and those ice crystals affect the texture slightly. However, frozen steak can still be of good quality and can even be cooked on the grill or in the oven with good results. For this recipe, though, I recommend using fresh or completely thawed steak.
How to Make Air Fryer Steak
- Prep Air Fryer & Steaks: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400˚F. Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl. Rub both steaks with olive oil and then with the seasoning mix.
- Place Steak in Air Fryer: Place one steak in the air fryer basket and cook for six minutes. Then flip it and continue cooking for about five more minutes. If you can’t comfortably fit both steaks with a little room in between them, it’s best to cook one steak at a time.
- Check Temperature: Check the steak for doneness using a meat thermometer. For RARE steak, the temperature should register at 125˚F to 130˚F. For Medium-Rare, you’ll need a temperature of 135˚F. If the steak isn’t cooked through, return it to the air fryer for another minute or so.
- Rest, Garnish, and Serve: When the steak is finished cooking, let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into it.
Why Use An Air Fryer To Cook Steaks?
- Your steak cooks perfectly every time. Unlike a skillet on the stovetop, an air fryer has consistent heat surrounding your entire steak. The air fryer’s fan will move the heat around your steak, resulting in a juicy perfectly cooked steak.
- Frees up your stove or oven for other things. While your steak is cooking up you can use your other appliances to make a tasty side dish without having to worry about juggling too many things.
- Perfect for hot weather cooking. On hot summer days when you don’t want to stand in front of a flame or heat the whole house by turning on the oven, the air fryer is your answer.
How Long Do You Cook Steak in the Air Fryer?
In general, you should cook an inch-thick room-temperature steak at 400˚F in the air fryer for about 6 minutes before flipping it, and then 4 or 5 minutes after flipping. The slightly longer cook time before flipping the steak is because at that point, the steak is relatively cool; after flipping, it’s already heated up a bit and doesn’t need to cook for quite as long on the second side. However, cooking time also depends on the steak! Thicker steaks take longer, as do bone-in steaks. A thinner steak will cook more quickly. So keep an eye on it, and adjust the cook time and test the temperature as needed. This Instant Read Food Thermometer should be your bestie when cooking steaks, and all other meats.
Steak Temperature Guide
While the USDA advises that steaks be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, many steak enthusiasts favor a slightly cooler range, like 130-135°F, for a medium-rare finish. Here are the internal temperatures to achieve various steak doneness levels:
- Rare: 120°–125°
- Medium Rare: 130°–135°
- Medium: 140°–145°
- Medium Well: 150°–155°
- Well Done: 160°–165°
Tips for Success
- Don’t Crowd The Basket: Steaks should not overlap in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer can’t comfortably hold both steaks at the same time with a little space in between, then it’s best to cook them one by one.
- Use a Well-Marbled Steak: One of the things that makes a steak juicy and tender is the fat content, and the way the fat is distributed through the meat. This is called “marbling,” because the fat makes a marble-like pattern. A well-marbled steak has a good distribution of white fat evenly throughout the meat.
- Use a Tender Cut: Sirloin, ribeye, New York Strip, Porterhouse, T-bone and other typical cuts are time-tested steaks that are almost always tender and well-marbled. Other possibilities include top sirloin fillets, chuck eye steaks and cap sizzlers.
- Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: Waiting for the thermometer to register can slow down the cooking process, which works against you. An instant-read thermometer makes checking for doneness quick, easy and seamless!
- Let It Rest: Allow cooked steaks to rest for 5 to 8 minutes before cutting.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Steaks
- A Vibrant Salad: Any leafy salad is a great option here, but I’m especially fond of Tomato Avocado Corn Salad with Lime-Cumin Vinaigrette. The flavors and colors are amazing, and it’s so good for you!
- Fresh Asparagus: Steak and asparagus are just a classic combo! My Cheesy Grilled Asparagus in Foil is a fun side dish that you can make on a grill or in the oven. The tender vegetables and creamy melted cheese are perfectly delicious every time.
- Creamy Mashed Cauliflower: This Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower with Garlic and Chives is so delicious, I could eat it all on its own! And it makes a wonderful, comforting complement to a juicy steak.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge: Place cooled leftover steaks in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: To freeze cooked steak, place steaks in airtight containers or freezer bags. Freeze for 2 to 3 months.
- Reheat cold steak from the fridge on the stovetop using a skillet and a bit of olive oil. Cook over medium-low heat until warmed through.
- To reheat frozen steak, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then follow the methods above.
ENJOY!
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 2 (10 to 12 ounces each) sirloin steaks, ribeye, New York Strip, Porterhouse, T-bone, or any other tender cuts, steak should be about one inch thick, and at room temperature which is important for proper and even cooking.
- ½ tablespoon olive oil or olive oil cooking spray, for the steaks
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon paprika, sweet or smoked
- ½ tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried herbs of choice
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400˚F. Rub both steaks with olive oil, or spray with cooking spray, and set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and dried herbs. This makes enough seasoning for about 4 large steaks.
- Rub preferred amount of seasoning all over the steaks. Store leftover seasoning blend in a small airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place.
- Place steak in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes at 400˚F. Flip it and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes or until cooked through. Cooking times can vary based on the air fryer model and steak thickness. Refer to the temperature chart below and check steak doneness with an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer.
- Remove the steak(s) from the air fryer and rest for 5 to 8 minutes before cutting. Serve with a pat of butter and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Choose a Marbled Steak: Fat distribution, or “marbling,” ensures juiciness. Even fat distribution results in a flavorful steak.
- Opt for Tender Cuts: Favorites like sirloin, ribeye, and New York Strip are naturally tender and well-marbled.
- Don’t Crowd The Air Fryer Basket: If you have a bigger Air Fryer and can cook more than one steak at a time, make sure you leave a little space between the two steaks for even cooking and browning.
- Use an Instant-Read Thermometer to ensure accurate doneness without guessing.
- Rest Before Cutting: Let steaks sit for 5-8 minutes after cooking.
- Steak Doneness Guide:
- RARE: 120˚F-125˚F
- MEDIUM RARE: 130˚F-135˚F
- MEDIUM: 140˚F-145˚F
- MEDIUM WELL: 150˚F-155˚F
- WELL DONE: 160˚F+
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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