Perfect Air Fryer Steak: Achieve Juicy & Tender Results Every Time
Forget the grill or stovetop sizzle – the air fryer is your secret weapon for creating an impeccably cooked steak. This incredible air fryer steak recipe elevates your home cooking, consistently delivering a perfectly browned, flavorful crust on the outside with an irresistibly tender, juicy interior. Best of all, a delicious steak dinner can be on your table in less than 25 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a quick weekend treat.
Why This Air Fryer Steak Recipe Works Wonders
For too long, many believed that a truly juicy and flavorful slab of beef could only be achieved on a sizzling grill or a cast-iron skillet. While those methods certainly have their place, this air fryer steak recipe proves that you don’t need fancy equipment or perfect weather to enjoy a gourmet-quality meal. The air fryer has revolutionized home cooking, offering a convenient, efficient, and incredibly effective way to prepare delicious cuts of meat, especially steak.
This method shines when the weather isn’t cooperating for an outdoor grilling session, or simply if you don’t own a grill at all. The air fryer creates a convection oven effect, circulating hot air rapidly around the steak. This intense heat distribution is key to achieving that coveted, crispy, deeply browned crust that steak lovers adore, all while locking in the natural juices to ensure a tender bite. It mimics the high-heat searing of a professional kitchen without the extensive mess and cleanup typically associated with pan-frying. Plus, the largely hands-off cooking process means you can focus on preparing your favorite side dishes or simply relaxing while your perfect steak cooks to perfection.
Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Steak
Crafting the perfect air fryer steak begins with selecting quality ingredients. While the full, detailed measurements and instructions are conveniently located in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, let’s explore the key components that make this dish truly special.
Ingredient Spotlight: Tips for Best Results & Swaps
Understanding your ingredients is crucial for culinary success. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how you can tailor this air fryer steak recipe to your taste and what you have on hand.
BEEF: Choosing the Right Cut and Thickness
For this recipe, we recommend using approximately 1 ½ pounds of boneless beef ribeye steak, ideally cut to at least 1 inch thick. Ribeye is celebrated for its excellent marbling, which contributes significantly to its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked. The thickness is also critical; a 1-inch steak allows for a beautiful sear on the outside while leaving the interior perfectly juicy. Different cuts of beef, such as New York strip, sirloin, or even filet mignon, can certainly be used with this air fryer method, but be aware that their varying fat content and thickness will require adjustments to the cook time. New York strip, for example, is also a great choice for its balance of tenderness and flavor. Our provided instructions are calibrated for a medium doneness with a ribeye, so feel free to reduce or increase the cooking time based on your preferred level of doneness (from rare to well-done). Always remember that bringing your steak closer to room temperature before cooking can promote more even cooking.
SEASONING: Flavoring Your Steak to Perfection
Our go-to for a classic, robust flavor is Montreal steak seasoning, a blend known for its bold combination of garlic, pepper, and various spices. We also like to add a touch of garlic salt for an extra layer of savory depth, though this is entirely optional. The beauty of steak is its versatility, allowing you to personalize the flavor profile. You can absolutely use your favorite store-bought steak seasoning mix, or get creative with a homemade blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. For those who prefer a deeper, more infused flavor, consider marinating your steak beforehand. Our ribeye steak marinade offers an excellent alternative, adding moisture and a burst of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the air fryer’s cooking power. Just ensure to pat the steak very dry after marinating to encourage a good crust.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Steak
Cooking steak in an air fryer is remarkably simple, yielding impressive results with minimal effort. These step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of the process, ensuring your success. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- **Preheat Your Air Fryer:** Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is a crucial step that ensures the air fryer basket is hot enough to immediately sear the steak, creating that desired crispy crust and sealing in the juices.
- **Season Generously:** Season both sides of your steak liberally with Montreal steak seasoning and, if desired, garlic salt. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; a good crust relies on a generous coating of spices. Ensure an even layer across the entire surface of the meat for maximum flavor and texture.
- **Lightly Spray with Cooking Spray:** Lightly spray both sides of the seasoned steak with cooking spray. This step helps in achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevents the steak from sticking to the air fryer basket, ensuring easy removal and cleanup.
- **Initial Cook Time:** Carefully place the seasoned and sprayed steaks into the preheated air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer without overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7 minutes. This initial cooking phase focuses on developing that delicious sear.
- **Flip and Finish:** After 7 minutes, carefully turn the steaks over using tongs. Cook for an additional 7 minutes. This ensures both sides get an even cook and an equally appealing crust. For thinner steaks or a more rare doneness, you might reduce this time; for thicker steaks or a well-done preference, you may need to add a couple of minutes.
- **Rest Your Steak:** Once cooked to your desired doneness, remove the steaks from the air fryer and place them on a cutting board. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil. Allow the steaks to rest for at least 5 minutes (and up to 10 minutes for thicker cuts). This resting period is absolutely critical; it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak. Cutting into it too soon will cause all those delicious juices to run out onto your board.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Air Fryer Steak
Achieving air fryer steak perfection is simple, but a few key insights can make all the difference. Here are answers to common questions and expert tips to ensure your steak is a showstopper every time.
Cooking times are approximate and depend heavily on your steak’s thickness and your air fryer model. For a medium-rare steak, aim for a total cooking time of about 12 minutes (6 minutes per side) for a 1-inch thick ribeye. This should yield an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C) on an instant-read thermometer. For a medium steak, which is our recipe’s default, cook for 14-16 minutes total (7-8 minutes per side) to reach 145°F (63°C). For medium-well, target 150-155°F (66-68°C), and for well-done, 160°F (71°C) or higher. Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak for the most accurate reading.
To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover air fryer steak in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil. Properly stored, it will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is your best friend once again! Use the reheat function on your air fryer, setting it to a lower temperature (around 300-325°F or 150-160°C) for 5-7 minutes, or just until warmed through. This method helps to crisp up the exterior without overcooking the interior, keeping your steak juicy.
Yes, absolutely! Preheating your air fryer to the specified temperature (400°F/200°C) is crucial for creating a good sear on the steak. Placing steak into a cold air fryer will result in a less desirable, tougher crust and uneven cooking. Give your air fryer about 5 minutes to fully come to temperature before adding the steak.
For best results and to ensure proper air circulation, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook steaks in a single layer, ensuring there’s space around each piece. If you need to cook more than two steaks, it’s best to do so in batches. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of crisping, preventing that beautiful crust from forming.
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Steak:
- Room Temperature Start: For more even cooking, remove your steaks from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come closer to room temperature.
- Pat Dry: Before seasoning, pat your steaks thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the surface can prevent a good sear.
- Don’t Skimp on Seasoning: A well-seasoned steak is a flavorful steak. Apply your chosen seasoning generously to both sides.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the most accurate way to ensure your steak is cooked to your preferred doneness without guessing.
- Rest is Best: Don’t skip the resting period after cooking. It’s vital for a juicy steak!
- Oil Lightly: A light spray of cooking oil helps achieve a crispy exterior and prevents sticking.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Steak
A perfectly cooked air fryer steak is a meal in itself, but pairing it with the right sides can elevate your dining experience even further. Since your oven and stovetop are conveniently freed up, you have a plethora of options for delicious accompaniments. Here are some of our favorite ideas:
- Classic Potato Pairings:
- Roasted potatoes, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, offer a hearty and comforting complement.
- Fluffy baked potatoes, topped with butter, sour cream, chives, or even cheese.
- Creamy mashed potatoes, a timeless and satisfying side.
- Crispy air fryer fries or sweet potato fries for a fun twist.
- Vibrant Vegetable Sides:
- Fresh, tender sautéed mushrooms or a medley of roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers.
- Steamed green beans with a hint of garlic butter.
- Sweet corn on the cob or a fresh corn salad during summer months.
- A crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
- Flavorful Additions:
- We absolutely love to top our warm steak with a pat of compound butter – whether it’s classic butter, garlic butter, or even a herb butter – to melt into the meat, adding an extra layer of moisture and rich flavor.
- A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a burst of freshness and color.
- Consider a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a dollop of horseradish cream for an extra gourmet touch.
- Other Great Sides:
- Fluffy rice pilaf or quinoa.
- Warm, crusty dinner rolls or garlic bread for soaking up any delicious juices.
With so many fantastic options, you can customize your air fryer steak dinner to perfectly suit your mood and occasion!
Explore More Delicious Steak Recipes
If you love steak as much as we do, you’re in for a treat! The world of steak offers endless culinary adventures beyond the air fryer. Here are some other fantastic steak recipes to try:
- Steak Fajitas: A vibrant, flavorful, and interactive meal perfect for sharing.
- Smoked Ribeye: For those who enjoy a deep, smoky flavor profile.
- Cast Iron Ribeye: Master the perfect stovetop sear for an incredible crust.
- Reverse Sear Ribeye: Achieve edge-to-edge perfection with this two-step cooking method.
- Sous Vide Steak: For ultimate precision and unbelievably tender results.
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Air Fryer Steak
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless beef ribeye steak 2 steaks
- Montreal steak seasoning to taste
- garlic salt to taste
- cooking spray
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Tongs
Before You Begin
- We are using 1 1/2 pounds of boneless beef ribeye steak for this recipe that are at least 1 inch thick. Different cuts of beef will require different cook times, but you can certainly use this recipe as a base for other steaks such as New York strip.
- Our instructions will result in medium doneness. Reduce or increase the amount of time based on your preference.
- Montreal steak seasoning is a staple for us along with a little bit of garlic salt, which is optional. You can use your favorite seasoning mix or even opt for our ribeye steak marinade instead.
- Adjust the cook time in the air fryer to 12 minutes, this should yield medium-rare results. Medium-rare should register at 135F on an instant-read thermometer. For medium, aim for 145F.
- Store leftover air fryer steak in an air-tight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat using the reheat function on the air fryer just until warmed through.
Instructions
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Preheat air fryer to 400 F.
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Season to taste both sides of the steak with Montreal steak seasoning and garlic salt.
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Spray both sides of the steak lightly with cooking spray.
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Place steaks in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 F for 7 minutes.
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Turn steaks over and cook an additional 7 minutes.
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Remove to a cutting board and tent with foil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.