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by Diane

You will love air fryer steak, it’s a game changer. Here’s our perfect and easy recipe for air fryer steak. It truly is so easy, it’s hard to believe that steak can come out so juicy and delicious! Seriously friends, this air fried steak recipe is a game changer.

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Can You Air Fry Steak?

Absolutely yes and it’s definitely one of our favorite quick dinners. Our air fryer steak recipe is perfect for two and within minutes, steak dinner is served. You can adjust cooking times to your preferred doneness. Just add some butter or oil, then salt and pepper to the steaks.

Best Air Fryer Steak Recipe

Our recipe is great because it’s not bland and super simple. We add some garlic salt sometimes for extra flavor. You can also add some compound butter during serving for extra flavor. Air fry the steaks and the steaks will come out fantastic! Serve it with a baked potato, mushrooms, a salad, pasta or what ever you want to complete your wonderful steak dinner. You’ll be so pleased with air fried steak that you’ll want to eat it more often. So good and so juicy!

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Video: How to Cook Air Fried Steak

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Tips on How to Cook Air Fryer Steak

  • Preheat air fryer for about 5 minutes. You must pre-heat your air fryer. This will ensure that the steak can get a nice sear.
  • Make sure to pat your steak dry of moisture with a paper towel. Lightly oil steak and season with salt and pepper or with your favorite steak seasoning.
  • Air fry the steak then flip the steak
  • Continue air frying and let steak rest before serving.
  • All recipe details and step by step photos are in the recipe box below.
Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (5)

What are the Best Cuts of Steak to Cook?

Look for a steak that has good marbling and fat like rib eye steaks. Other great steak cuts are New York steaks, T-Bones, Porterhouse steaks and some sirloins. Although filet mignon doesn’t have a lot of fat, it’s a tender cut so it cooks well in the air fryer. For other inexpensive cuts or with less marbling, you should cut them and cook them as steak bites. Serve with some air fryer vegetables like asparagus, broccoli or green beans and you’re set!

Here’s more great air fryer recipes.

What are the Best Air Fryers?

Here’s our extensive write up on Air Fryer World’s Best Air Fryer Guide. There’s so many on the market now. You just need to research and find the ones that fits your needs, capacity and style. We group the basket style air fryers into 2 main size groups: 3-4 qt. range & the 5-6 qt. range. There’s oven style and basket style. With so many to choose from, we highlight the ones that are most popular for small to medium sized families. Here’s our favorites:

Good Mid-Sized Air Fryers

“That’s a stylish Air Fryer” was said as we unboxed the Cosori. Beyond being stylish, it has cooked great. The basket is not as tall and wider than most in its size group, which is perfect. You’ll have a lot better results in an air fryer with single layered, spread out foods, then with ones piled high and thick.
The non-stick basket style(non-wire base)& smoothness of the basket tray is also great for clean up.

Has a great ceramic coated basket, one of the longest lasting we’ve used. Super powerful fan that will often cook recipes even faster than other air fryers. We initially returned our first one because we thought we wouldn’t like the basket style. After reconsidering, we bought another and are super glad we did. We love it’s basket and just a platform insert. One less bulky thing to wash. This is a great air fryer.

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Simple functional panel. Solid basket design that is less likely to come unscrewed or break like other designs frequently do after a few months of repeated use. Great price for the size. They have several color options for the design-minded user.

Good Larger Air Fryers

This is quickly becoming one of our favorite larger basket style air fryers. Great basket size, good controls, cooks nice. Clean up is great. It has become one of our kitchen favorites.

Most of us are familiar with the Instant Pot Brand of pressure cookers. They now makeair fryersand it has become a regular in our kitchen. TheVortex plus 9-in-1is beyond the conventional air fryer. The “plus” boasts features beyond the hot circulating air: Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Roast and Re-heat.

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12 Cooking modes. Connects to your smartphone & has Alexa or Google Assistant integration for voice control. 32 quarts. Large enough it actually has a rotisserie too.

Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (12)

Air Fryer Steak

Yield: 2 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Steak sizes will vary in length and thickness, and different cuts will cook at different rates, so you can add or reduce cooking time if needed to cook to your preferred texture.

4.89 from 9 votes

{click on stars to rate}

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Ingredients

  • 2 (6 oz.) ((170g)) steaks , 3/4″ thick rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil , to coat
  • 1/2 teaspoon (0.5) garlic powder (optional)
  • salt , to taste
  • pepper , to taste
  • butter

Equipment

Instructions

  • Lightly coat steaks with olive oil. Season both sides of steaks with garlic powder (optional), salt and pepper (we’ll usually season liberally with salt & pepper).

  • Preheat the Air Fryer at 400°F for 4 minutes. Once preheated, place steaks in air fryer bakset or rack.

  • Air Fry for 400°F for 10-18 minutes, flipping halfway though (cooking time dependent on how thick and cold the steaks are plus how done you prefer your steaks).

    If you want steaks to be cooked more, add additional 3-6 minutes cooking time.

  • Add pat of butter on top of steak, cover with foil and allow steak to rest for 5 minutes.

    Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Recipes were cooked in 3-4 qt air fryers. If using a larger air fryer, the recipe might cook quicker so adjust cooking time.
  • If cooking in more than two steaks, make sure not to overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. The first batch will take longer to cook if Air Fryer is not already pre-heated.
  • Remember to set a timer to shake/flip/toss the food as directed in recipe.

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 373kcal, Protein: 34g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 88mg, Potassium: 455mg, Vitamin A: 25IU, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 2.9mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Air Fryer

Calories: 373

Easy Beef Recipes:

  • Salisbury Steak with onion gravy
  • Skillet Steak Bites with garlic butter
  • Click Here for our –> Best Air Fryer Recipes
  • Our Air Fryer Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe Rocks!

This air fried steak recipe was originally published in 2018 and re-published in 2019 with updated video.

As an Amazon associate and partners with other affiliate programs, we may earn from your qualifying purchases. We may earn small commissions that goes towards all the costs of running this website and recipe tests. Thank you for your support.

posted in: 30 Minute Recipes, 300+ Easy Meals, Air Fryer, Beef, Gluten Free, Healthy, Low Carb | Keto, Paleo 22 comments

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Leave a Reply

    22 Comments on “How to Cook Air Fryer Steak: Perfect and Juicy”

  1. June Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (21)
    Totally cooking my steak in an air fryer from now on. It was really easy to cook. And they came out really juicy.

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Hi June, glad you loved the air fryer steak. And thanks for the great feedback!

  2. Lawrence Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (22)
    I’m so surprised a how juicy my steaks came out. Thanks for suggesting to cook steak in an air fryer. High-five for y’all.

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      High five back to you! 🙂 And we’re thrilled that you are enjoying air fryer steaks. They really are delish!

  3. Juanita Green Reply

    can not wait to try these. Sounds wonderful.

  4. David Martinez Reply

    Please tell me the make and model of the air fryer in the video for the steak. I am looking for stainless steel instead of teflon coating cooking baskets and noticed yours has stainless steel rack in the bottom of the basket. Thank you.

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Hi David! In the photo it’s the NuWave 3.5 qt air fryer.

  5. Larry Dill Reply

    Must try this method

  6. Scott Reply

    Hi there I have jut bought the mirical chef delux air fryer and am going to try your steak recipie for 3 scotch fillets will post results and I’m interested in more air fryer recipes have I finally found the right site ….good health to you all

  7. EA Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (23)
    Tried this and was pleasantly surprised at how juicy the steaks were. This will be my method for cooking steaks going forward. Quick, easy clean up and great tasting steaks. A win in my book.
    Thanks for sharing.

  8. TJ Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (24)
    Pleasantly surprised how easy this recipe was and how well the steak was cooked in the air fryer. Had a nice char on the outside but very juicy when cut! Cooking with this method from now on!

  9. AUDREY NELSON Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (25)
    Very juicy did mine with olive oil, chopped garlic and rosemary, course salt & pepper..

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Ooh, the rosemary sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing Audrey.

  10. Jason R. Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (26)
    I was pretty doubtful about this. My tried and true cast iron steak method is solid. But had to see what all the fuss was about. Made this with a ribeye and cooked on high temp like you suggested. The steak turkey out amazing. Not at good as my cast iron, but the air fryer is a great alternative. It’s a game changer and the clean up was great. I followed up with some par-boiled potatoes in the air fryer while the steak was resting. Definitely will use the air fryer again!

  11. Bob S. Reply

    Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (27)
    Color is improved if you emulsify ½ tsp of Kitchen Bouquet in the olive oil and then rubbing it all over the surface and sides of the steak. Adjust the amount of Kitchen Bouquet to your preference to get the degree of browning you desire.

  12. Kathy Reply

    Hi there,
    I am wondering what kind of steak you used for this air fryer recipe?
    Kathy

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Hi Kathy, in the photo we used small New York strip steaks.

  13. Aja Reply

    I’ve used this recipe a few times now and every time is comes out perfect! Thank you!

  14. Linda Reply

    I did my steaks tri tip 9 min they were tough
    Any suggestions

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Hi Linda, tri tip steaks can often vary in size. So if you’re air frying the same size again, try cooking it for less time, maybe 6-7 minutes.

  15. Debbie Reply

    Can you marinade them in Dale sauce then put them in air fryer

    • Best Recipe Box Reply

      Hi Debbie. Marinating the steaks in Dale sauce first might burn the steak. If you want to brush some on when the steak is close to finishing that would be better. That way the sauce can cook into the steak a bit without burning.

Air Fryer Steak: How to CookAir Fried Steak Recipe | Best Recipe Box (2024)

FAQs

How do you air fry a steak? ›

Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices. Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. For a 1-inch steak, air fry 400F 10 minutes turning halfway, for medium rare, for medium, cook 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Do I put oil on steak before air frying? ›

Just before cooking, brush oil on both sides of the steak, and season the steak with your other choice of seasonings, such as garlic powder and ground black pepper. Then, spray the air fryer tray lightly with cooking oil. Allow the air fryer to preheat to 400 degrees before adding ribeye steak to cook.

What is the best cut of steak for the air fryer? ›

what type of beef is best in the air fryer. As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

How do you cook a steak in an air fryer without it drying out? ›

It's important to preheat the air fryer, as well, allowing it to run with nothing inside of it for about five minutes, set to the max heat. Then, it's time to cook. First, spritz some olive oil or cooking spray on each side of the steak to help the outside crisp.

How long should I air fry a steak? ›

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

Do you need to flip steak in an air fryer? ›

Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.

What temperature should you air fry a steak at? ›

How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  2. Season the steaks – sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and pepper.
  3. Air fry – add the steak to the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes (for medium/medium-well if your steak is about 1 inch thick)
Dec 6, 2022

Do you put seasoning or oil first on steak? ›

Seasoning for grilled streaks is to first coat the steak with a neutral oil such as grapeseed oil that has a high smoke point. From there, season the entire surface of the steak with sea salt. Salting the steak is the difference between a restaurant steak and a home-cooked steak.

What to season steak with? ›

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

How do you know when steak is done in an air fryer? ›

The second most important thing to know when cooking your steak in the air fryer is that you pull the steak 5-6 degrees BEFORE your desired doneness. For example, if you are like me and love your steak medium rare (about 130 degrees F), you'll pull it out of the air fryer around 124-125 degrees F.

Do steaks brown in air fryer? ›

Air fryers circulate hot air to quickly brown the the steak's exterior for golden brown edges that mimic a hard sear.

How to cook a 2 inch steak in an air fryer? ›

I bring the steaks up to room temp then brush both sides with a little olive oil then season with salt and pepper. I air fry them at 400º for about 8 minutes (flipping halfway) and they come out a beautiful medium rare.

Why is my steak chewy in the air fryer? ›

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.

How do you keep meat moist in an air fryer? ›

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

Why would you air fry a steak? ›

Pros of Air Frying Steak

The whole process only takes ten minutes either way, but the ease of not having to stand over the stove is appealing to plenty of cooks, especially if you're also cooking side dishes. Air Fryer Steak Recipes to Try: Air Fryer Steak and Mushrooms. Air Fryer Steak for Fajitas.

What temperature do you heat steak in an air fryer? ›

Allow your steak to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes on the counter). Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F. Place the steak into the Air Fryer basket to reheat the steak; check every 2 minutes. The cook time will depend on steak thickness, so ensure the internal temperature reaches around 110°F–130°F.

Should I put steak in air fryer or stove top? ›

When cooking steak on a pan, oil and fat splatter all around, which can be a pain to clean. The air fryer contains all of the splatter within the device. So, for less experienced cooks, the air fryer perfectly crisps the outside of the steak, which is sometimes more difficult to achieve on the pan or grill.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

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