How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are no longer just for frying. This handy kitchen appliance has taken over kitchens all over the world, and for good reason! It’s both a countertop oven and a deep fryer, perfect for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, making pizza hands-free, or even cooking a beautiful steak to tender and juicy perfection. Read on for tips and tricks to cook the perfect steak in the air fryer any night of the week, saving you time and a smoky kitchen.

How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer

High heat is ideal for cooking steak because the shorter the steak is cooked, the more tender it will be on the inside. This makes the air fryer ideal for cooking steaks as it cooks the meat quickly and evenly by surrounding it with extremely hot air. The air fryer steak is beautifully grilled on the outside and juicy on the inside, but it all depends on proper preparation and cooking time.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the steak in extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Allow it to sit and bring to room temperature before cooking. This helps the steak cook more evenly, and the salt enhances the flavor of the steak and creates a dry surface on the steak, which makes the steak crispier when cooked.

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Steak in an Air Fryer?

High heat and a hot air fryer are essential for achieving a crispy burnt and juicy interior. One of the great benefits of cooking steak in an air fryer is that it takes the guesswork out of how long it will take to cook. Depending on your preference for steak, the cooking time required will vary. Here’s a simple breakdown, using a 1-inch thick steak in an air fryer, preheated to 400°F:

• Rare: 4-6 minutes at room temperature 125°F
• Medium rare: 6-8 minutes, internal temperature 135°F
• Medium: 8-10 minutes at room temperature 145°F
• Medium-Good: 10-12 minutes at 155°F internal temperature
• Well done: 12-14 minutes at 160°F room temperature

Do You Need to Flip a Steak in an Air Fryer?

Since the air fryer has the signature feature of circulating intense hot air evenly around the food while cooking, you don’t need to flip the steak in the air fryer. If you like to flip the steak, you can flip the steak at half of the desired cooking time.

Whatever you choose, be sure to let the steak sit for 10 minutes before slicing. This gives the juice time to redistribute, leaving each bite juicy and tender, rather than drying and overcooking. While your steak rests, place a teaspoon of garlic butter on top to enhance the flavor as the juices redistribute.

Need to Refuel?

There is no need to put oil in the air fryer before cooking the steak. Most air fryer baskets are non-stick. Don’t put the olive oil away just yet, though. When preparing the steak for the air fryer, you need to rub the meat well with olive oil and season it with salt. In an air fryer, the outside of the steak caramelizes and the perfect crispy grilled crust is complete.