Bring the bistro experience home with Air Fryer Steak! Seared outside, juicy inside, and fast, air fried steak is astonishingly easy and tastes phenomenal. It changed the way we cook steak at home!
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My new favorite way to cook steak.
High heat is the best for cooking steak because the less time it spends cooking, the more tender it will be. That makes the air fryer ideal for steak. Seriously, it’s a game-changer.
In addition, I love the air fryer for a busy weeknight because it’s so fast. No preheating the oven or grill! In fact, most of the time required for this recipe is bringing the steak to room temperature, which is totally hands off. This affords you extra time to prep side dishes or knock out some of your to-do list—and it gives you some time to make the herb butter, which really gives this air fryer steak steakhouse vibes.
5 Star Review
“Best steak ever!! I was so afraid I’d mess it up but it’s perfect.”
— Jessica —
My Tips for Juicy Air Fried Steak
Keep these tips in mind when you’re making your air fryer steak and you can’t go wrong!
- Room Temperature First. For the most even cooking, allow your steaks to come to room temperature before you begin (about 30 minutes).
- Pat the Steaks Dry. Pat the outside of your steaks dry before cooking to ensure you achieve the perfect sear and crust (not a steamed steak).
- Go By Temperature, Not Time. The length of time needed to make air fryer steak depends on the steak’s thickness and your desired doneness. Rather than watching the clock, use an instant-read thermometer and the temperature guide in the printable recipe card below.
- Let Them Rest. This is critical! Giving your meat adequate time to rest after cooking gives the juices time to reincorporate back into the meat.
- Slice Steak Against the Grain. This tenderizes the meat fibers for melt-in-your-mouth-steak.
How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
Prep the Steaks. For the most even cooking, allow your steaks to come to room temperature before you begin (about 30 minutes). Pat the outside of the steaks dry before cooking to ensure you achieve the perfect sear and crust, then brush with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Air Fry. Air fry the steak at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The length of time needed to make air fryer steak depends on the steak’s thickness and your desired doneness. Rather than watching the clock, use an instant-read thermometer and the temperature guide in the printable recipe card below.
Rest. This is critical! Giving your air fryer steak adequate time to rest after cooking allows the juices to reincorporate back into the meat.
Finish. Prepare the butter if you’re using it, and don’t forget to slice the steak against the grain. This cuts the meat fibers for melt-in-your-mouth-steak. ENJOY!
What to Serve With Air Fryer Steak
- Salad. Steak is tasty with this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.
- Vegetables. Sauteed Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus, or Grilled Brussels Sprouts would be delicious with an air fryer steak.
- Potatoes. Steak and potatoes are a classic pairing. Try Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Hasselback Potatoes.
- Risotto. Try Mushroom Risotto or Beet Risotto for a more indulgent side.
Air Fryer Steak
Video
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Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 2 (1-inch thick) ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip steaks about 2 pounds
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt*
- 1 ¼ teaspoons freshly cracked or ground black pepper*
For the Herb Butter (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened slightly
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot or chives
- 1 small clove garlic minced or grated
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice or red wine vinegar
- Chopped fresh herbs: thyme, tarragon, parsley, rosemary… whatever you love or have on hand (a pinch of thyme is my favorite)
Instructions
- 30 minutes prior to cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature (this is critical for properly cooked steak).
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Immediately before cooking, pat the steaks dry. Brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper (or steak seasoning of choice).
- For medium-rare, air fry the steaks for 6 to 8 (for 1-inch steaks) until the steak reaches 130°F on an instant read meat thermometer. For medium, air fry 10 to 12 minutes (to 140°F).
- Flip the steaks once halfway through. If your steaks are thicker than 1-inch, add an additional 1 to 3 minutes; if they are thinner, start checking as early as 4 minutes just to be safe. Every air fryer model is different and they cook food fast, so check early to ensure you do not overcook your steak). Transfer the steak to a plate, loosely cover, and let rest at least 10 minutes.
- While the steak is cooking, prepare the herb butter: in a small bowl, mash together the butter, shallot, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and herbs. After the steak has rested, top with butter just before serving.
Notes
- Below are steak temperatures. Remove 5 degrees early, as the temperature will rise as it rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well Done: 160°F
- *You also can swap the salt and pepper for steak seasoning, such as Montreal steak seasoning, or your favorite blend. Check your seasoning package for suggested quantities, as each is different.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate steak in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F. It can also be reheated in the microwave in a pinch.
- TO FREEZE: Already cooked steak tends to dry out when frozen and reheated. That said, if you must freeze it, use an airtight freezer-safe storage container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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What brand you recommend for air fryer?
Thanks for the feedback! Just want to verify you did you kosher salt in the butter? Any other salt will make a difference.