JUICY Air Fryer Steak - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

What temperature do you cook steaks in the air fryer? ›

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

Rub steaks with olive oil and generously season. Brown 2-3 minutes per side and place the pan in the oven. Bake 10-15 minutes or until steaks reach the desired doneness. Remove steaks from the skillet and rest at least 5 minutes while making the sauce.

Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.

what type of beef is best in the air fryer. As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

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Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Season both sides generously. Let the steaks sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. To prevent the steaks from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly grease it with olive oil or cooking spray.

The best way to ensure a juicy steak is to use high heat to cook the steak quickly, which will bring it to the proper temperature without drying it out. Remember to rest your steak after air frying to allow the meat to reabsorb juices and complete its cooking time without direct heat.

Rest the meat

If you cut into those tight muscle fibers as soon as it's off the heat, all the juices pour out. That's why resting meat for 5-10 minutes is the secret for preparing a juicy and tender steak. This resting time allows the muscles to relax and release their juices evenly into the meat.

By adding salt to your steak, you will help pull out moisture from the meat, enriching the flavor of your steak while tenderizing it in the process. Salt will act as a natural brine and can be added up to 24 hours before cooking, instilling deep, rich flavors and tenderness to any cut of beef.

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Aging is done by letting the meat sit (in very controlled conditions) for several days or weeks.

Air fryers are known for producing delicious, crispy food. Using an air fryer to cook your steak will give you a nice sear on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Is air fryer steak actually good? ›

Enjoy Perfectly Cooked Steak Every Time.

That makes the air fryer GREAT for cooking steak (and Air Fryer Hamburgers). The air fryer cooks food by blowing intensely hot air down and around it—an ideal way to always make juicy, tender steak that will have your family oohing and ahhing.

The Air Fryer's high heat ensures a delectable flavor inside and a perfectly golden-brown crust on the outside. This method is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, cooking steaks in the winter or rain when you don't want to be outside, or if you don't have a grill or stove top.

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 for at least 30 minutes before cooking them in the air fryer.

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cook steaks in the preheated air fryer for 7 minutes, flip, and cook about 7 minutes more for medium-rare. For a medium, cook 8 minutes per side. Let steaks sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Medium (140°-150°F)

A steak cooked “medium” will be mostly pink. A small ring of grey may form on the outside and a strip of red will remain in the center. For steaks with more marbling, this will be the temperature where the fat begins to liquefy and add flavor.

We recommend 425°F as the best oven temp for steaks. For the perfect doneness, use a meat thermometer and the Measuring Doneness Chart below for perfect steak doneness. Additionally, you can find cut specific steak cooking recommendations for each cut on our How To Cook Steaks page.