Achieve Steakhouse Quality: How to Cook Perfect Air Fryer Steak (Juicy & Tender Every Time)
Transform your dinner routine with this incredible air fryer steak recipe! It consistently delivers a perfectly browned crust and a tender, juicy interior, rivaling your favorite steakhouse experience. The best part? You can have a delicious steak on your plate in less than 25 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you crave a gourmet meal without the fuss.
Why This Air Fryer Steak Recipe is a Game Changer
Gone are the days when grilled steak was considered the only way to achieve a succulent slab of beef. While grilling offers a fantastic flavor profile, it’s not always practical. The weather might not cooperate, or perhaps you simply don’t own a grill. This is where your air fryer steps in as a culinary hero, offering an incredibly efficient and convenient alternative for cooking steak.
Using an air fryer for steak provides a hands-off cooking experience with minimal clean-up. The circulating hot air creates a beautiful Maillard reaction on the surface of the steak, resulting in a deep brown, flavorful crust that locks in all the precious juices. Unlike traditional pan-searing that can create a smoky kitchen mess, the air fryer contains the splatter, making the entire process much tidier. It’s truly the perfect method for consistently delicious, perfectly cooked steak without the hassle or requiring a special occasion.
Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Steak
This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create a truly outstanding steak. Find all precise measurements, ingredient details, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this article. But first, let’s dive into what you’ll need to gather:
Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Substitution Tips
Understanding your ingredients is key to mastering any recipe. Here’s a closer look at what goes into our air fryer steak and how you can customize it to your liking:
BEEF – Our recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds of boneless beef ribeye steak, ideally cut to at least 1 inch thick. Ribeye is celebrated for its marbling, which melts during cooking, infusing the steak with rich flavor and keeping it incredibly tender and juicy. While ribeye is our top choice, this recipe can serve as an excellent foundation for other popular cuts like New York strip, sirloin, or even filet mignon. Keep in mind that thinner cuts will require less cooking time, and very thick cuts might need a minute or two longer per side. The instructions provided below are tailored to achieve a perfect medium doneness. Always adjust cooking times based on the specific thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness.
SEASONING – For a robust flavor that truly enhances the beef, Montreal steak seasoning is a perennial favorite in our kitchen. We also like to add a touch of garlic salt for an extra layer of savory goodness, though this is completely optional. Feel free to use your preferred steak rub or seasoning blend. For those who enjoy a more infused flavor, consider marinating your steak beforehand. Our ribeye steak marinade recipe is an excellent option that adds depth and tenderness to your steak, making it even more extraordinary.
COOKING SPRAY – A light mist of cooking spray on both sides of your steak is crucial. It not only helps prevent the steak from sticking to the air fryer basket but also aids in achieving that desirable golden-brown crust. Choose a high-heat cooking oil spray like avocado oil or grapeseed oil for best results.
Simple Steps to Perfectly Cooked Air Fryer Steak
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize the process and confidently make this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, simply jump to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is a critical step that ensures immediate searing when the steak hits the basket, contributing significantly to a beautiful crust.
- Season the Steak Generously: Season both sides of your ribeye steaks to taste with Montreal steak seasoning and garlic salt. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; a good coating creates a flavorful crust. Ensure the seasoning adheres well by gently pressing it into the meat.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray both seasoned sides of the steak with cooking spray. This further promotes browning and prevents sticking.
- First Cook in the Air Fryer: Carefully place the seasoned and sprayed steaks into the preheated air fryer basket. Ensure there’s enough space between them for proper air circulation; do not overcrowd the basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Using tongs, carefully turn the steaks over in the air fryer basket. Continue cooking for an additional 7 minutes. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides, leading to a consistently delicious result.
- Rest the Steak: Once cooked to your desired doneness, remove the steaks from the air fryer and transfer them to a clean cutting board. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil. Allow the steaks to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This crucial resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is as tender and juicy as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Air Fryer Steak
Mastering air fryer steak is easy with a few key insights. Here are answers to common questions and our top tips for success:
For a perfect medium-rare steak, adjust the total cook time in the air fryer to approximately 12 minutes (6 minutes per side). Medium-rare doneness should register at 135°F (57°C) on an instant-read thermometer. For medium, aim for 145°F (63°C), typically around 14 minutes total. For medium-well, target 150-155°F (66-68°C) for about 16 minutes. For well-done, target 160°F (71°C) or higher, which might take 18-20 minutes, though we generally recommend less for maximum tenderness. Always use a meat thermometer for accuracy, as air fryer models can vary.
Store any leftover air fryer steak in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the steak back in the air fryer and use the reheat function at a lower temperature (around 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes, just until warmed through, to prevent it from overcooking and drying out.
Absolutely! Patting your steak thoroughly dry with paper towels before seasoning is a crucial step for achieving that coveted crispy crust. Excess moisture on the surface of the meat will steam rather than sear, preventing the Maillard reaction that creates rich flavor and texture.
While it is technically possible to cook frozen steak in an air fryer, it is generally not recommended for optimal results. Cooking from frozen will result in a less even cook, making it difficult to achieve a perfect crust and a tender, juicy interior. For best flavor and texture, always thaw your steak completely in the refrigerator before air frying.
Expert Tips:
- Room Temperature is Key: For the most even cooking, allow your steaks to come closer to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before seasoning and cooking. This helps prevent the outside from overcooking before the inside reaches your desired doneness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook your steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer is small or you’re cooking multiple steaks, work in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even browning. Overcrowding leads to steaming, not searing.
- Rest Your Steak: As mentioned in the instructions, resting the steak is non-negotiable. It allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, ensuring a tender and moist steak throughout.
- Add a Pat of Butter: For an extra layer of richness and flavor, place a small pat of butter (or garlic herb butter) on top of your steak immediately after removing it from the air fryer, while it rests. The residual heat will melt the butter, creating a luscious sauce.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Steak
A perfectly cooked air fryer steak deserves an equally impressive accompaniment. The beauty of cooking steak in an air fryer is that it frees up your oven and stovetop, allowing you to get creative with your side dishes!
For a classic pairing, serve your juicy air fryer steak with a side of crispy roasted potatoes or fluffy baked potatoes. We particularly love to enhance our steak’s flavor by topping it with a generous pat of butter or homemade garlic butter, which adds incredible moisture and aromatic richness as it melts.
The possibilities for side dishes are truly endless. Consider these wonderful pairings:
- Vegetables: Lightly sautéed mushrooms, tender asparagus spears, sweet glazed carrots, corn on the cob, or crisp green beans all complement steak beautifully.
- Starches: Alongside potatoes, consider a creamy risotto, fluffy rice pilaf, or even a hearty quinoa salad.
- Bread: Warm dinner rolls, garlic bread, or a crusty baguette are perfect for soaking up any delicious steak juices.
- Salads: A refreshing side salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a lovely contrast to the richness of the steak.
- Sauces: Beyond butter, a vibrant chimichurri, a classic béarnaise, or a simple peppercorn sauce can elevate your steak to new heights.
Explore More Mouthwatering Steak Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed this air fryer steak recipe, you might be interested in exploring other fantastic ways to prepare steak. From sizzling fajitas to perfectly seared cast iron cuts, there’s a steak recipe for every occasion and preference. Expand your culinary repertoire with these delicious options:
- Steak Fajitas
- Smoked Ribeye
- Cast Iron Ribeye
- Reverse Sear Ribeye
- Sous Vide Steak
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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, at least 1-inch thick
- Montreal steak seasoning to taste, or your favorite steak rub
- garlic salt to taste (optional)
- cooking spray (e.g., avocado or grapeseed oil)
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Tongs
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Instant-read thermometer
Before You Begin
- We are using 1 1/2 pounds of boneless beef ribeye steak for this recipe, ideally cut to at least 1 inch thick. Different cuts of beef (like New York strip or sirloin) will require slight adjustments in cook times, but this recipe serves as a fantastic guide.
- Our provided instructions are designed to achieve a delicious medium doneness. To ensure your steak is cooked exactly how you like it, we highly recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer and adjusting the cooking time according to your preferred doneness:
- Rare: 125°F (52°C)
- Medium-Rare: 135°F (57°C)
- Medium: 145°F (63°C)
- Medium-Well: 150-155°F (66-68°C)
- Well-Done: 160°F (71°C) or higher
- Montreal steak seasoning is a staple for us, along with a little bit of garlic salt (optional). However, you can freely use your favorite seasoning mix or even opt for a flavorful ribeye steak marinade for added tenderness and depth.
- For the best crust and most even cooking, always pat your steak dry with paper towels before seasoning, and allow it to come closer to room temperature for 20-30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Store leftover air fryer steak in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently using the reheat function on your air fryer until just warmed through to avoid overcooking.
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 5 minutes to ensure it’s fully hot.
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Generously season both sides of the steak with Montreal steak seasoning and garlic salt (if using). Pat the seasoning into the meat.
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Lightly spray both seasoned sides of the steak with cooking spray to aid in browning and prevent sticking.
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Carefully place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7 minutes.
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Using tongs, flip the steaks over and cook for an additional 7 minutes for medium doneness. For other doneness levels, adjust cooking time accordingly and use a meat thermometer.
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Remove the steaks to a cutting board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes to ensure maximum juiciness before slicing and serving.
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.