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After I made air fryer filet mignon, I was so pleased with the results that I had to try it with other cuts. This air fryer steak recipe works with any thick cut of steak! And no matter what cut you choose, cooking steak in the air fryer is easy and results in a perfectly cooked meat that stays tender and juicy. It has quickly become one of my new favorite air fryer recipes!
Can You Cook Steak In An Air Fryer?
Yes! Cooking steak in the air fryer works great, because it reaches high temperatures very quickly. This means that you can sear the outside of the steak while keeping the inside nice and juicy. Plus, air fryers circulate hot air around the food, ensuring that it cooks evenly on all sides.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Steak Recipe
- Tender, juicy steak
- Easy to cook correctly – harder to overcook than other methods
- Only 3 basic ingredients
- Quick 10-15 minute cooking time
- Completely hands off (no flipping needed!)
- Goes with dozens of side dish recipes!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking steaks in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Steaks – I used top sirloin steaks, but you can make air fryer steak recipes using any high quality cut, like porterhouse (also known as T-bone), filet mignon, or ribeye. Thin steaks overcook easily, so the best cuts will be at least 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
- Sea Salt – Draws out the moisture and breaks down muscle proteins, making the steak juicier and more tender. Kosher salt is also fine to use.
- Black Pepper – Use a high quality black pepper for the best flavor.
- Compound Butter – Optional, but adds so much flavor to an already perfectly juicy steak! The classic version uses dill and parsley, but you can also use other herbs, such as rosemary and thyme.
VARIATION: Add steak seasoning!
If you want to add more flavor to your steaks, use my Montreal steak seasoning recipe instead of salt and pepper.
How To Cook Steak In The Air Fryer
This section shows instructions for how to cook steaks in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Bring to room temp. Remove steak from the fridge before cooking to bring it to room temperature. (This will ensure even cooking.)
- Make garlic herb butter. Make compound butter according to the instructions here. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Season. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Season the steaks liberally with sea salt and black pepper on both sides. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer.
- Air fry. Arrange steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, so the pieces are not touching or only minimally touching. Air fry until the steaks reach desired doneness, using a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature. (See the time chart below!)
TIP: Give steaks space in the air fryer.
Cook in batches if needed. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in uneven cooking.
- Rest. Top the steaks with compound butter. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
How Long To Cook Steak In The Air Fryer?
Air fryer steak time varies depending on steak thickness and desired doneness. For 1.5-inch-thickness, cook for 11-13 minutes for medium-rare steaks.
Use the following time chart to achieve your desired doneness:
| Desired Doneness | Minutes To Cook | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 10-12 minutes | 120 degrees F |
| Medium Rare | 11-13 minutes | 130 degrees F |
| Medium | 12-14 minutes | 140 degrees F |
| Medium Well | 13-15 minutes | 150 degrees F |
| Well Done | 14-16 minutes | 160 degrees F |
What Temp To Cook Steak In The Air Fryer?
Cook steak in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. Cooking at a higher temperature sears the steak, keeping it tender and juicy.
Can You Cook Frozen Steak In The Air Fryer?
While it’s possible to cook a frozen steak in the air fryer, this is not recommended. It’s best to thaw steaks in a bag submerged in cold water (or in the fridge overnight) before cooking them, regardless of cooking method. Cooking frozen meat tends to leave some areas overcooked and others undercooked.
Tips For The Best Air Fryer Steak
Follow these reminders for juicy air fryer steak — or any steak!
- Bring to room temperature. Doing this before cooking helps the steak cook evenly.
- Season generously. A good seasoning on both sides creates a mouthwatering crust on the meat.
- Avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure you cook your steak to your desired doneness.
- Let steaks rest. It may be tempting to cut into that juicy steak right away, but let it rest for 5 minutes so that the juices have time to redistribute into the steak.
- Finish with compound butter. It adds unbelievably rich flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftover steak in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Reheat your steak in the air fryer again, for just a couple of minutes at 350 degrees F, until warm. You can also use the low-temperature oven method that I describe in my reverse sear steak recipe for the best results.
- Freeze: It’s best to freeze steaks raw. You can freeze leftover cooked steaks in the freezer for 3-4 months, but they will not be as tender after thawing and reheating.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Steaks
This steak pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some to try:
- Roasted veggies – Try hearty favorites like roasted butternut squash (shown above), roasted green beans (shown above), roasted asparagus casserole, or roasted broccolini.
- Leafy salads – Sirloin steak always pairs well with spring mix salad, wedge salad, or 7 layer salad.
- Classic steakhouse sides – Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics like mashed potatoes (or mashed cauliflower), creamed spinach, or sauteed mushrooms to pair with your perfectly air fried sirloin steak. Or for a steakhouse breakfast, try steak and eggs!
More Easy Air Fryer Mains
If you like this quick and easy main dish, you might also like some of these air fryer recipes:
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Air Fryer Steak Recipe
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Remove your steak from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. (This will ensure even cooking.)
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Make compound butter according to the instructions here. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
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Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Season the steaks liberally with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
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Arrange the steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, so the pieces are not touching or only minimally touching (cook in batches if needed; don’t crowd the basket). Air fry until the steaks reach your desired doneness (use a probe thermometer for best results). For 1.5-inch thick steaks, that’s about 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium well, or 14-16 minutes for well done. Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature – 120 degrees F (52 degrees C) for rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium rare, 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium, 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) for medium well, or 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for well done. The temperature will rise by another 5 degrees F while resting (see next step).
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Remove the steaks from the air and transfer to a plate. Top each with 1 tablespoon (14g) of compound butter.
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Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 8-oz sirloin steak
Nutrition info does not include optional compound butter.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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10 Comments
margaret
0Very quick and easy to make. Steaks were excellent!
Elyce
0No air fryer with basket… are there oven instructions?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Elyce, I suggest using my Oven Baked Steak recipe instead of the air fryer option.
Andie
0HOW??? My mind is blown! Such an easy recipe, definitely will be making it again.
Matt
0This air fryer steak recipe is awesome! I love using my air fryer and I love eating steak, so this is perfect for me. I love how you listed the chart for cooking times for desired doneness.
Jennifer
0I love making steak in the air fryer especially when it’s too cold outside to grill outside!
Elena
0Great recipe. Easy to follow and absolutely delicious.
Journa Liz Ramirez
0This is so good! My family loved it so much. It’s so tender, juicy, and delicious! Thanks, for this mouth-watering recipe. We’ll surely have this again.
Gloria
0A great way to make a nice steak dinner any night of the week. Looks cooked to perfection.
Lisa
0We loved how easy it was to make perfect steaks in the air fryer. This will be our preferred method when cooking them indoors.