I really would love to share my best juicy, easy, and quick air fryer steak recipe. It’s beautifully browned on the outside and on the inside.
You can air fryer steak without splatter or mess in the kitchen, ready in only 20 minutes. I usually use leaner sirloin, but this will work for any steak you like. This is my best air fryer steak recipe yet. If you serve air fryer steaks with garlic butter, it’s an amazing combo you will love.
Make sure that your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. If you rub a little oil on a steak, it helps to give it a brownish touch. My family loves to eat air fryer steaks with baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, or mashed potatoes and a vegetable, like roasted green beans or asparagus.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Steak
If you are a hostel student or a busy mom and have busy weeknights or Sunday dinners, this air fryer steak recipe is perfectly best for you. This amazing recipe is so easy, not only for experts but also great for beginners.
You can easily customize it with your favorite seasonings like Classic Steak, Montreal Steak, Cajun Steak, and Garlic Herb Seasoning. You would love steak in the air fryer with some of your favorite salads, burritos, and sandwiches.
Can You Cook Steak in an Air Fryer?
Hey bestie! You wonder if air fryers are good for cooking steaks? Now Absolutely!
The hot circulating air fryer cooks the steak evenly while helping the outside develop a delicious crust. But some of the air fryer steaks are not exactly smoky like outdoor grilled, but it does an amazing job of producing tender and flavorful steak with very little effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For an air fryer steak recipe, you’ll need:
- Ribeye steaks (about 1 inch thick)
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
For the garlic butter:
- Butter
- Fresh garlic
- Parsley
- A pinch of salt
Simple ingredients often make the best meals.
Homemade Air Fryer Steak Seasoning Recipe
Sometimes, I want to skip the expensive store-bought seasoning.
I love making a simple and easy homemade air fryer steak rub because it gives the steak incredible flavor. Mix some ingredients
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
This seasoning creates a flavorful crust and works beautifully on ribeye, sirloin, and New York strip steaks.
How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer?
Cooking steak in the air fryer is easier than you might think.
Choose the Right Steak Thickness
For the best results, choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick.
- 1-inch steak: Best for most air fryer recipes
- 1.5-inch steak: Extra juicy and tender
- 2-inch steak: Great for steak lovers who enjoy thick cuts
Prepare and Season the Steak
- Pat the steaks dry using paper towels. This step helps remove extra moisture and improves browning.
- Brush both sides with olive oil and coat them evenly with salt and pepper. You will love to use the homemade seasoning blend.
- Let the steaks rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Air Fry the Steak
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the steaks in a single layer inside the basket.
- Cook according to your preferred doneness, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Proper airflow helps the steak cook evenly.
Rest Before Serving
- This step is often skipped, but it makes a huge difference.
- After cooking, place the steaks on a plate and loosely cover them with foil.
- Let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making every bite more tender and flavorful.
How Long to Cook Steak in The Air Fryer?
From beginner to expert level, it is much more helpful to know how long to cook a steak in the air fryer. For a 1-inch-thick steak cooked at 400°F. The Air fryer temperature depends on your preferred level of doneness..
Air Fryer Steak Temperature Guide
Using a meat thermometer is the easiest way to get perfect steak every time.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well Done: 160°F
Remember to remove the steak about 5 degrees before the target temperature. Because it will continue cooking while resting.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Air Fryer Steak
Got leftovers? No problem! I often make extra steak for family gatherings and special occasions because it saves so much time later. Once the steak has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to freeze steaks for up to 3 months, wrap each steak in plastic wrap or foil.
The air fryer can handle frozen steak, too. Simply place the frozen steak in a preheated air fryer and cook it for a few extra minutes until heated through.
For the best results, always preheat your air fryer, then reheat leftover steak at 350°F for 2 to 4 minutes. Avoid overheating, as it can make the steak dry and tough.
Tips for Cooking Steak in the Air Fryer
- For the best air fryer steak, start by patting the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- A light coating of oil helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust, while leaving enough space between the steaks allows hot air to circulate properly.
- Another simple trick is to preheat your air fryer before cooking. This helps the steak sear quickly and develop better color.
- For even more flavor, add a spoonful of garlic butter right after cooking while the steak is resting. It melts beautifully over the warm steak and makes every bite extra delicious.
Common Air Fryer Steak Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes when you air fry steak
- Using thin steaks
- Skipping preheating
- Overcrowding the basket
- Forgetting to flip the steak
- Not using a meat thermometer
- Cutting into the steak too soon
Fixing these small mistakes can dramatically improve your steak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Air Fryers Good for Cooking Steak?
Yes. Air fryers cook steak quickly and evenly while creating a flavorful crust.
Can You Slow Cook Steak in an Air Fryer?
Not really. Air fryers are designed for fast cooking. For slow-cooked steak, a slow cooker is a better choice.
Do I Need to Flip Steak While Air Frying?
Yes. Flipping halfway through cooking helps both sides brown evenly.
Side Dishes to Serve with Air Fryer Steak Tips
Whatever, my little son asked me what to eat with air fryer steaks; my answer is ohh…. Sure, air fryer steak and potato bites with garlic butter. This is really fun to eat air fryer steak with mushrooms, parmesan, and cheese egg rolls.
Air Fryer Steak
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Tongs
- mixing bowl
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye steaks, about 1-inch thick
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- For Garlic Butter
- 2 tsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prepare the steaks: Pat the ribeye steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Season the steaks: Brush both sides of the steaks lightly with olive oil. Combine the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then rub the seasoning evenly over both sides of the steaks.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
Air fry: Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space around them for proper airflow. Air fry at 400°F, flipping halfway through cooking.
Check doneness: Cook until the steaks reach your preferred internal temperature. Use an instant-read meat thermometer for the most accurate results. Remove the steaks about 5°F before your target temperature because they will continue cooking while resting.
Make the garlic butter: While the steaks cook, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt.
Rest the steaks: Transfer the cooked steaks to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Let them rest for 5–10 minutes.
Serve: Top the warm steaks with garlic butter and serve immediately with your favorite sides such as potatoes, asparagus, or roasted green beans.
Notes
- Use steaks that are at least 1 inch thick for the juiciest results.
- Air fryer models can vary, so cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- A meat thermometer is the best way to achieve your preferred doneness.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket so hot air can circulate around the steaks.
- Resting the steak before slicing helps keep the juices inside.
- For extra flavor, add garlic butter immediately after cooking while the steak is still hot.
- For the juiciest air fryer steak, don't skip drying and resting the meat. Patting the steak completely dry before seasoning helps it brown better, while resting it after cooking allows the juices to redistribute for a more tender bite.
Our Most Delicious Air Fryer Recipes You Will LOVE
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How to Make Air Fryer Steak and Potatoes
Not all potatoes cook the same way in the air fryer, so picking the right type really matters here.
Baby potatoes are the easiest option. Just halve them and toss them in. They cook quickly and come out crispy on the outside with a soft, fluffy center. Russet potatoes cut into cubes are another great choice if you want a heartier bite. Cut them into even ¾-inch cubes, so they cook at the same rate as your steak bites.
Wondering about wrapping potatoes in foil in the air fryer? Skip it. Foil traps steam and makes your potatoes soft instead of crispy. For that golden, crispy texture, always cook them uncovered directly in the basket.
If you really want to meet the best taste of air fryer steak and potato recipe, just preheat your air fryer to 400°F. It’s the most important part to make your steak juicy and tender. Cut your potatoes into even ¾-inch cubes.
Add the seasoned potato cubes first and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through. Once they’re golden and crispy, push them to the sides and add your steak bites right in the center. Air fry everything together for another 8 to 10 minutes until your steak hits your perfect doneness.
Trust me, melted garlic butter is the best choice for toasting your steak and potatoes. You will really enjoy eating this best combo of air fryer steak and potato bites.
From My Kitchen To Yours! Happy Air Frying ❤
