This Air Fryer Steak recipe is the best and easiest way to cook restaurant-quality steak at home in minutes using basic ingredients. Perfectly cooked steak that’s juicy on the inside with perfect caramelization – a simple recipe with no-fail pro tips and tricks!
There’s almost nothing better than a juicy steak – it’s a great celebratory dish but it can be super intimidating to make at home, especially for beginners in the kitchen. Here at The Busy Baker we’re all about finding new ways to save time and effort in the kitchen and to simplify and demystify recipes that are a lot easier to make than they might seem.
This Air Fryer Steak Recipe tutorial is SO simple, quick and easy to make, and if you’ve always been intimidated by the thought of preparing a delicious steak at home, we’ve got you covered with our pro tips and tricks that’ll have you skipping the steakhouse in no time!
When it comes to cooking the perfect steak in your air fryer, selecting the right cut of beef is critical. The choice of cut not only impacts the flavour but also determines the tenderness and can affect the cooking time too. Here are our favourite cuts of beef for Air Fryer Steak:
- Ribeye: Known for its rich marbling and delicious flavour, ribeye is one of our top choices. The generous amount of fat throughout the meat makes it extra juicy and tender. When air frying ribeye, the fat renders beautifully, creating a nice crust. It’s also a fairly affordable cut of beef, making it a great choice.
- Sirloin: Another favourite of ours is sirloin, mostly because of its versatility and affordability. It remains tender and juicy when cooked to medium rare and it’s lower in fat, making it a healthier choice. Air frying sirloin allows it to develop a delicious crust while preserving its juicy interior.
- New York Strip: Also referred to as a strip steak or sirloin steak, the New York strip is a great choice because of its balanced marbling and delicious flavour. It offers a leaner alternative to ribeye while still maintaining excellent tenderness. Air frying this cut allows its natural flavours to shine through while achieving a beautifully caramelized crust.
- Tenderloin: For those seeking the utmost tenderness, the tenderloin cut, often referred to as filet mignon, is the best choice. It has a more delicate texture and a subtle, buttery flavour. While the tenderloin is naturally leaner than other cuts, air frying helps it keep its moisture and enhances its mild, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The only drawback? It’s one of the most expensive cuts of beef for steak.
- T-Bone: The T-bone steak offers the best of both worlds, featuring two cuts on either side of the bone—the tenderloin and the strip steak. This combination delivers a range of flavours and textures within a single steak. When air frying a T-bone, the bone acts as a conductor of heat, contributing to a faster cooking time and a more evenly cooked and flavourful steak. T-Bone steaks are often large, making them more difficult to cook in the air fryer because of their size. For this reason, we prefer other cuts for air frying.
Remember, when selecting your steak, look for cuts that exhibit good marbling—a network of fat throughout the meat—as this contributes to both tenderness and flavour. We also recommend considering the thickness of the steak, which will affect the cooking time.
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The most important kitchen tool you’ll need to cook the perfect steak at home is a digital instant-read thermometer. An instant-read thermometer allows you to test the internal temperature of the steak by inserting the probe into the centre of the meat – within a few seconds it will tell you the internal temperature so you know whether to continue cooking or to remove the steak from the heat.
Here is a list of our favourite instant-read thermometers at different price points. We’ve tested them all in The Busy Baker kitchen and they’ve stood up to years of heavy use (affiliate links):
- Lavatools Javelin Instant-Read Thermometer
- ThermoPro Instant-Read Thermometer
- OXO Good Grips Precision Instant-Read Thermometer
An air fryer is also an essential tool for this recipe. Here is a list of our favourite air fryers (affiliate links):
- A great Air Fryer for space-saving (2 quart capacity)
- The perfect Air Fryer for large families with a dual basket feature
- A standard Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)
- A large Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)
Use your instant-read thermometer and follow this guide for perfectly cooked steak, just the way you like it!
| Rare – deep red, cool centre | 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius) |
| Medium Rare – bright red, warm centre | 129 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius) |
| Medium – pink, warm centre | 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) |
| Medium Well – brown-grey centre with a hint of pink | 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) |
| Well – brown centre, no pink | 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) |
To make this recipe you’ll need these basic ingredients:
- rib eye or sirloin steaks
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- olive oil or olive oil spray
Here are some of our favourite variations on this basic Air Fryer Steak recipe:
- Garlic and Herb Butter: Rub the steaks with minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley), salt, and pepper and cook in the air fryer as directed. Top the cooked steak with a pat of garlic and herb butter after cooking.
- Cajun Spice Rub: Prepare a Cajun spice rub using a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Generously coat the steaks with the spice rub, ensuring it’s evenly distributed on both sides. Air fry as directed.
- Asian-Inspired Soy Ginger: Create a marinade using soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, honey, sesame oil, and a splash of lime juice. Marinate the steak in the mixture for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. Air Fry as directed.
- Balsamic Glazed: Mix together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create a glaze. Brush the glaze onto the steak before air frying and air fry as directed.
- Smoky Chipotle Lime: Prepare a marinade with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. Air fry as directed.
- Mediterranean Herb-Crusted: Create a herb crust by combining minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Pat the herb mixture onto the steak to form a crust. Air fry as directed.
- Teriyaki Glazed: Make a teriyaki glaze by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil. Brush the glaze onto the steak before air frying. Air fry as directed.
Time needed: 20 minutes
Follow these steps for the perfect Air Fryer Steak Recipe!
- Preheat the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (200 degrees Celsius).
- Pat the steaks dry.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and remove any loose hanging bits or thick fat.
- Oil the steaks.
Spray with olive oil spray or drizzle some olive oil over them on all sides. Season them well on all sides.
- Flip once.
Air fry for 4 minutes, flip them only once, and then air fry for another 4 minutes.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to test the doneness.
Test the internal temperature of the steak to be sure it’s done to your liking. Use a temperature chart like the one provided in this post to be sure it’s cooked as you wish.
- Let them rest.
Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
What’s the medium rare steak temperature?
To cook a steak to medium rare, be sure to stop cooking when the internal temperature of the steak reaches 129 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).
Can I marinate the steak before air frying?
Yes, feel free to marinate the steak before air frying, but it’s not a necessary step. Simply season and air fry the steak as directed.
Should I preheat the air fryer before cooking steak?
Yes, you should preheat your air fryer before cooking steak to speed up the cooking process and help the outside of the steak caramelize while the inside stays nice and juicy.
How do I know when the steak is done cooking?
Use an instant-read thermometer to test the doneness of the steak.
Can I sear the steak in the air fryer?
It is possible to sear the steak in the air fryer by cooking on the Max Crisp setting for one minute, and then reducing the temperature for the remainder of the cooking process. Be sure to test for doneness using an instant-read thermometer so you don’t overcook the steak.
How do I prevent the steak from drying out in the air fryer?
Be sure to test the doneness of the steak using an instant-read thermometer to be sure you don’t overcook the steak and dry it out.
Can I cook frozen steak in the air fryer?
We recommend thawing the steak first before seasoning it and cooking it in the air fryer as directed in the recipe. Cooking frozen steak can often lead to uneven cooking and it can cause the steak to become dry and tough around the outside.
Should I let the steak rest after cooking?
Yes, it is important to let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavourful steak. Tent the cooked steak with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 5-7 minutes before slicing and serving.
How do I store cooked steak?
We recommend storing cooked steak in the fridge in an airtight container. Be sure to store the steak whole (not pre-sliced) and slice the steak after it’s been reheated.
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite air fryer recipe? We’d love to know!
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Air Fryer Steak
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 sirloin steaks (or ribeye steaks) about 14 oz each
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- olive oil spray
Recipe: Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (200 degrees Celsius).
- Pat your steaks dry with paper towels and remove any loose hanging bits or thick fat caps. Oil the steaks and rub them with the spices on all sides.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add your steaks to the air fryer making sure there's a little bit of space between them.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, flip and air fry for another 4-6 minutes or until the internal temperature of the steak reaches 130 °F (54 ℃) for medium rare, 145℉ (63℃) for medium and 150℉ (66 ℃)for medium well.
- Keep in mind that the cooking time depends on the thickness and the type of your steaks. The best way to cook your steaks is based on the internal temperature.
- Once the steaks have reached your desired internal temperature, place them on a cutting board and rest them for about 5-10 minutes. For extra juicy steaks, cover them with aluminum foil while they rest.
- After resting the steaks, slice them against the grain in 1/4 – 1/3 inch thick slices.
- Serve with this delicious cowboy butter, our favourite horseradish sauce or your favourite condiment or dipping sauce.
Recipe: Notes
Storage Instructions
Store the steaks in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to store the steak whole (not pre-sliced) and slice the steak after it’s been reheated.Reheating Instructions
Reheat them in the air fryer, at 356 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for 1-2 minutes or until warm through.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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Buy 3, save 30%!
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