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Air Fryer Steak

This Air Fryer Steak recipe is ready in less than 10 minutes and is a delightful meal any night of the week! Take the guesswork out of making perfect steak with this easy air fryer recipe.

Blue plate with steak and broccoli on it with a gold fork to the side and a golden napkin

For all those evenings you’re craving steak but you want it NOW, air fryer steak is here for you!

While Perfect Grilled Steak is my ideal cooking method, getting the barbecue heated and the back and forth between the house and grill can take longer than some of us want to wait.

I also love a good steak reverse seared in a cast iron skillet and of course an amazing Prime Rib, but again, for a quick weeknight meal, the air fryer method is just so goof-proof.

Air frying steak gives you a delicious perfectly cooked result in a fraction of the time, and you’ll be amazed at how well it turns out. I know I was when I first tried it!

Let’s dive in!

What You Need Air Fryer Steak:

Air Fryer: Use your preferred air fryer model. I use a Ninja Air Fryer.

Steak: Pick up New York Strip, sirloin steak, or Ribeye steaks. I used two 8-ounce grass-fed New York Strips for this tutorial, but the cut of steak is up to you.

Oil: I use avocado oil because it has a neutral flavor and doesn’t burn at high heat. Olive oil works too!

Seasonings: Sea salt, garlic, and black pepper are all you need for an incredible steak! You don’t need to overcomplicate it with fancy marinades or lots of seasonings, as these three ingredients make your steak taste incredibly rich and delicious.

That said, you can season steaks however you like. Many people enjoy using Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, or Cajun seasoning.

Close up shot of steak cut into

How to Make Air Fryer Steak:

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

If you have the time, remove the steaks from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes before you want to cook them. This allows the temperature of the steak to rise closer to room temperature for even cooking and gives it a chance to soak up the flavors from the seasonings.

Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel then coat them in a light layer of avocado oil or olive oil. Sprinkle both sides liberally with sea salt and garlic powder.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Plug in your Air Fryer and preheat it to 400 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes prior to air frying the steaks.

This enables you to get that incredible sear on the outside of the steak, as the hot air will immediately start doing its work, similar to searing in a cast iron skillet or deep frying, once the steaks go in.

Step 3: Air Fry Steak

Place the steaks in the basket of the air fryer and air fry at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes for medium-rare, flipping half-way through. For medium steaks, air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping half-way through. 

Step 4: Rest

Transfer the steaks to a plate and allow them to rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat and results in the most tender, delicious result.

What to Serve with Steak:

While the steak is resting, you can air fry broccoli, green beans, or make my Air Fryer Garlic Butter Brussel Sprouts

You can serve this perfect air fryer steak with your choice of dipping sauces like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, herb butter, chimichurri sauce, compound butter, tzatziki sauce or homemade garlic butter.

Don’t be fooled by the fact the steak takes so little time or effort to prepare – this easy recipe yields some of the best steak I’ve tried and it’s even amazing enough for a special occasion! Serve it up with some garlic butter sauce and your favorite side dishes for a real wild ride.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it in your air fryer.

Steaks in an air fryer

How Long to Air Fry Steak:

For a 1-inch thick steak to be medium-rare, air fry for 7 to 10 minutes total, flipping half-way through. For medium steak, air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping half-way through. Thinner steaks will require less cooking time at 7 minutes for medium-rare and 10 minutes for medium.

The exact cook time depends on the temperature of the steak before it goes into the air fryer and also the thickness of your steak. In general, you’ll be air frying for 7 to 12 minutes total. 

The best way of ensuring you’ve reached your perfect doneness, use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of the steak.

Cooking Temperatures for Steak:

What temperature to cook juicy air fryer steak? These are the temperature ranges for each level of doneness.

  • Medium rare: 130-135° 
  • Medium: 135-145° 
  • Medium well: 145-155°

There you have it! Everything you need to know in order to make perfect juicy steak each and every time.

Horizontal photo of steak and broccoli on a blue plate

Also check out my delicious Air Fryer Steak Bites.

If you’re looking for more air fryer recipes, also check out my Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Thighs, Crispy Air Fryer Salmon, Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops, Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Enjoy your steak with your choice of side dishes, and enjoy! I love steak with Easy Sautéed Vegetables or Italian Pasta Salad.

Enjoy!

Blue plate with steak and broccoli on it with a gold fork to the side and a golden napkin

Air Fryer Steak

Easy Air Fryer Steak recipe for a delicious weeknight dinner. This perfect, juicy air fryer steak is a win every time!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
2 Steaks

Ingredients

  • 2 8-oz. New York Strip Steaks*
  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  • Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 10 to 30 minutes before you want to cook them. This allows the temperature of the steak to rise closer to room temperature for even cooking and gives it a chance to soak up the flavors from the seasonings.
  • Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel then coat them in a light layer of avocado oil or olive oil.
    Steaks on a plate being pat dry with a paper towel
  • Sprinkle both sides liberally with sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
    Steaks on a plate coated with oil and seasonings
  • Plug in your Air Fryer and preheat it to 400 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes prior to air frying the steaks.
  • Place the steaks in the air fryer basket.
    raw steaks in an air fryer basket
  • Air fry at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes for medium-rare steak, flipping half-way through.
    Tongs flipping steaks half way through the air fry process
  • For medium steaks, air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping half-way through. 
    Two cooked steaks in an air fryer
  • Transfer the steaks to a plate and allow them to rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat and results in the most tender, delicious result.
    Two cooked steaks on a plate resting

Notes

*Use any of your favorite cuts of steak. Be sure whatever you buy will fit in the air fryer basket.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(8-oz.) Steak - Calories: 500kcal - Protein: 46g - Fat: 34g
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer steak, how long to cook steak in air fryer, how to cook steak in air fryer, steak in air fryer, steaks in air fryer
Servings: 2 Steaks
Calories: 500kcal
Author: Julia
Collage for Pinterest for Air Fryer Steak
Recipe Rating




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