How to make steak in an air fryer

Enjoy this easy air fryer steak recipe: seared on the outside, juicy inside! Simple ingredients, easy steps, and healthier than grilled steak!

How to make steak in an air fryer

What is the most foolproof way to cook steak? Put a steak in the air fryer. 

If you’ve ever been skeptical about cooking steaks perfectly, this will be your new favorite way to cook them. We used to be intimidating by cooking the perfect steak, so much that we only ever ate it out at restaurants. Luckily, we’ve perfected it thanks to the air fryer, and it could not be any more simple. 

This air fryer steak recipe ticks all the boxes.

It cooks in minimal time, keeps ALL the juices, and is lower in fat. Don’t let that detract you, though: It’s juicy, tender, and easy to customize. Keep it simply seasoned or add my famous 3 ingredient marinade to it.

If you’re a steak expert, you’ll enjoy other methods of cooking it, like sous vide or adding some chimichurri sauce.

Table of Contents: hide

Ingredients needed

How to make air fryer steak?

What cut of steak is best for the air fryer?

Do you need to flip a steak in the air fryer?

How long does it take to cook a thick steak in the air fryer?

Rare, medium, and well done steak

Tips to make the best recipe

Flavor variations

Storage tips

More air fryer protein recipes to try

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Fryer Steak (Juicy and tender)

Ingredients needed

Like any good steak, this one needs just a handful of ingredients to really let the meat shine. Here is what you’ll need: 

  • Steaks. Choose a porterhouse or sirloin steak with 1-inch thickness and 250 grams of weight with no bones. 
  • Olive oil. For cooking steaks in the air fryer. 
  • Salt and pepper. To season.

How to make air fryer steak? 

Cooking steak in the air fryer is simple: You’ll just need to let the steak rest for 10 minutes before serving it to retain all the juices! Here is how to make this recipe (or skip below for the full write up): 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Season the steaks with oil, salt, and pepper on the steaks.
  • Cook steaks in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes and flip after half cooking time.
  • Serve after letting the steaks rest for 10 minutes. 

How to make steak in an air fryer

What cut of steak is best for the air fryer? 

Choosing the best cut of steak for the air fryer is a hassle-free process because you have multiple options. Some of the best options are: 

  • Ribeye 
  • Porterhouse 
  • T-Bone 
  • Top sirloin

Do you need to flip a steak in the air fryer? 

You have to flip a steak in the air fryer to cook both sides. 

How long does it take to cook a thick steak in the air fryer? 

The thicker the steak is, the greater the cooking time will be. Using 1-inch steaks as a base, they require 10-12 minutes. Anything more than that and you’ll need to increase the cooking time accordingly.

A way to check if the steak is done is to check its internal temperature. It should be 145F. 

Rare, medium, and well done steak

If your like me, you love your steak cooked a certain way. You can cook your steak a little longer/quicker if you want rare or well done. Here are the internal temperature the steaks should be for different cooked levels:

  • Rare: Steak should have an internal temperature between 125F-130F. 
  • Medium-rare: Internal temperature between 130F-140F.
  • Medium: 140F-150F. 
  • Well done: 160F. 

Tips to make the best recipe 

  • 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 at least 30 minutes before cooking them in the air fryer. 
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and leave some space between steaks for airflow to cook evenly. 
  • Pat fry the steaks before seasoning them.

Flavor variations 

This air fryer steak recipe is made with simple ingredients, but it’s easy to customize. Here are some ideas: 

  • Add a steak rub from your grocery store or specialty spice shop. 
  • Marinate it in dressing for an extra juicy flavor punch. Try a low calorie dressing or a low carb dressing. 
  • Soak in a steak marinade, like my favorite 3 ingredient steak marinade. 
  • Add a pinch of sugar to balance the salty flavors and give it a gorgeous caramelized crust. 
  • Cover it in creamy sauces for a comforting meal, like alfredo sauce, cheese sauce, or even gravy. 
  • Add spices like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for a smoky flavor hit. 

Storage tips

Wondering what’s the best way to store leftover steak? Here are best practices for steak storage: 

  • Refrigerator: Place the steak and any excess juices in a shallow container and store it in a refrigerator for up to three days. 
  • Freezer: Place the cooked and cooled steak in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
  • To reheat: Either microwave the steak for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a non-stick pan until hot. 

How to make steak in an air fryer

More air fryer protein recipes to try

  • Chicken breast
  • Chicken thighs
  • Pork chops
  • Salmon
  • Chicken drumsticks

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an air fryer make meat tender?

Yes, meat cooked in the air fryer will always be more tender and cook evenly.

Does steak come out good in the air fryer?

When cooked properly, air fryer steak is as good as grilled or pan-cooked steak, and healthier too.

How do I know when steak is fully cooked?

The color of the well-cooked steak is brown. You can also check the internal temperature of the steak. 

How to make steak in an air fryer

Air Fryer Steak (Juicy and tender)

Enjoy this easy air fryer steak recipe: seared on the outside, juicy inside! Simple ingredients, easy steps, and healthier than grilled steak!

5 from 29 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes

Servings: 4 steaks

Calories: 175kcal

Author: Arman

Ingredients

  • 4 sirloin steaks 4-6 oz each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.

  • Rub oil, salt, and pepper on the steaks.

  • Air fry the steaks for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

  • Let the steaks rest for 10 minutes.

Notes

TO STORE: Place the steak and any excess juices in a shallow container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. TO FREEZE: Place the cooked and cooled steak in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

Is steak any good in an air fryer?

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 GREAT for cooking steak. The air fryer cooks food by blowing intensely hot air down and around it—an ideal way to make juicy, tender steak that will have your family oohing and ahhing.

What is the best steak to cook in an air fryer?

Air frying creates juicy, tender steaks with a nice sear, making it an underrated cooking method. Ribeye and New York Strip are the best cuts for air frying, but tri-tip and top round also work well. Marinate lean cuts prior to air frying to prevent them from drying out in the high heat.

What temperature should I cook my steaks on in the air fryer?

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F (turn it on for 5-10 minutes). Open the basket, put steaks in and cook for 10-14 minutes (10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, and 14 minutes for medium-well), until desired doneness is reached.

How do I cook a steak in an instant air fryer?

How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer.
Let the steaks come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. ... .
Preheat the air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes..
Rub olive oil over the steaks..
Season well. ... .
Put the steaks in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. ... .
Cook at 400° F for 5 minutes..