This Air Fryer Steak is the perfect easy weeknight dinner! It’s seasoned to perfection and then air fried until tender and juicy with the perfect crispy exterior.
Easy Air Fryer Steak Recipe
Say hello to the easiest, most foolproof way to cook steaks! Ready in minutes, this air fryer steak requires just a few simple ingredients and results in an ultra-tender, juicy steak with the perfect crust.
No searing, then cooking. No temperature adjustment. Preparing steaks in the air fryer makes your steak dinner so darn easy!
what you will need
- Steak: Look for a steak that is about 1 inch thick. Any cut of steak works.
- Spices: You can keep the seasonings simple with a little salt and pepper, or spice things up with your favorite steak seasoning.
- Soft butter: For your compound butter. For garnishing and serving! Optional but worth it!
- Garlic: For your compound butter.
- Herbs: Like parsley, thyme, rosemary, etc. For your compound butter. For garnishing and serving! Optional but worth it!
The steak
We choose one boneless rib eye, but this method could also work with a NY strip steak, filet mignon, etc. as long as the cut is about 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick. If it’s thinner, it will cook faster.
Buy the best steak you can afford because it’s the star of the show. It’s so much cheaper than anything you’ll find at a steakhouse to cook yourself at home, so spend the extra few bucks to get a grass-fed rib eye if possible.
How to cook steaks in the air fryer
Cooking steak in the air fryer really is that easy! This easy dinner will be on the table in minutes!
- Season: Rub the steak with some oil and then coat it thoroughly with the steak seasoning of your choice.
- air fry: Air roast at 400ºF until cooked to your liking.
- Rest: Finish off by sprinkling with salt and pepper, then let sit for 5 minutes, slice and serve.
At what temperature to cook steak
It depends on the size and thickness of the steak you are using. Here are my estimates for a 1 inch steak. If you are preparing thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly! To ensure your steak is cooked just right, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Here’s a quick temperature guide!
- Rarely: Sear the steaks for 6 minutes, turning after 3 minutes. Look for a temperature of 125ºF.
- Half done: Sear the steaks for 8 minutes, turning after 4 minutes. Look for a temperature of 135ºF.
- Middle: Sear the steaks for 10 minutes, turning after 5 minutes. Look for a temperature of 145ºF.
- Medium Well: Sear the steaks for 12 minutes, turning them after 6 minutes. Look for a temperature of 155ºF.
- Good: Sear the steaks for 16 minutes, turning after 8 minutes. Look for a temperature of 160ºF.
At the end of this list, remember that the steak is at very high risk of drying out. I recommend medium-rare or medium!
NOTE: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than directed as the steak will rise in temperature as it rests and you want it to rest!
Need to flip steak in the air fryer?
Yes! Turning the steak halfway through will help cook it evenly and ensure you get the perfect crust all around.
tips and hints
- Bring the steak to room temperature. I recommend placing the steak on the counter about 30 minutes before grilling. Steak at room temperature cooks more evenly. This step isn’t all or nothing, but take the chill out of the meat as much as possible so there’s less shock when the meat is cooked. It will result in a more tender steak, but it certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cook the steak if you can’t perform this step.
- Pat the steak dry. Before seasoning and cooking, gently pat the outside of the steak dry with kitchen paper. By removing excess moisture, the steak becomes crispy in the air fryer.
- Preheat air fryer. It should be nice and hot before you add the steak so it cooks just right!
- Check the temperature. Since cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your steak, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. So there is no guessing! We talk about taking a fever so often here at Lexi’s Clean Kitchen and that’s because it’s so easy to make you a better cook. Towards the end of cooking, check the meat with an instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s at the exact desired temperature.
- Leave some space Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so don’t have your steaks so big they touch. This allows air to circulate evenly around your steaks.
- let it rest Before serving the steak, cover with foil to retain heat and let rest for 5 minutes. This gives the flavor and moisture a little time to settle back into the meat.
Make a quick compound butter!
Not you to have to but trust me it will lift your steak and lasts a short minute.
What is compound butter?
Compound butter is butter that has been softened and consists of mixed herbs, spices, and sometimes a sweetener. What remains is a creamy spread that tastes fabulous on your steak!
serving suggestions
This air fryer steak recipe is so easy, you’ll be motivated to make some easy side dishes! Here are a few ideas:
How to save
Leftover cooked steak will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
You can reheat in the microwave, oven or back in the air fryer!
How to heat steaks in the air fryer
To reheat leftovers in the air fryer, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator if they’re frozen, then cook them at 350F until heated through.
More hot air fryer favorites
Looking for more delicious recipes for your air fryer? Here are a few of my favorites!
Watch the video:
Air fryer steak
This Air Fryer Steak is the perfect easy weeknight dinner! It’s seasoned to perfection and then air fried until tender and juicy with the perfect crispy exterior.
- 2 1 inch thick steaks, or 4 smaller steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea-salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Compound Butter
- 2 tablespoons soft salted butter
- 1 Garlic clove, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh herbs of your choice (parsley, coriander, thyme, rosemary)
- Remove steaks and allow to come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
- Pat dry, brush with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer so basket is hot.
- Add your steaks and air fry at 400ºF for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through the time (this is for a 1 inch steak, if it’s smaller it will cook faster). See temperature chart below as time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your steaks. Note: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than directed as the steak will rise in temperature as it rests and you want it to rest!
- While cooking, mix softened butter with garlic and herbs. Put aside.
- Once steak is done, let rest for 5-10 minutes, then brush with butter and slice.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Remarks
Here’s a quick temperature guide:
- Rarely: Sear the steaks for 6 minutes, turning after 3 minutes. Look for a temperature of 125ºF.
- Half done: Sear the steaks for 8 minutes, turning after 4 minutes. Look for a temperature of 135ºF.
- Middle: Sear the steaks for 10 minutes, turning after 5 minutes. Look for a temperature of 145ºF.
- Medium Well: Sear the steaks for 12 minutes, turning them after 6 minutes. Look for a temperature of 155ºF.
- Good: Sear the steaks for 16 minutes, turning after 8 minutes. Look for a temperature of 160ºF.
At the end of this list, remember that the steak is at very high risk of drying out. I recommend medium-rare or medium!
NOTE: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than directed as the steak will rise in temperature as it rests and you want it to rest!