Air Fryer Steak

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This recipe for Air Fryer Steak is the perfect celebration meal. It’s quick and easy to cook steak in air fryer that turns out perfect every time!

Suitable for Gluten-Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Keto diets.

top down view of air fryer steak with garlic sauce

Air Fryer Steak is so quick and easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try cooking steak in air fryer sooner!

Folks, I truly love my air fryer. I’ve made classic comfort food dishes like Air Fryer Whole Chicken and this Air Fryer Frozen Burrito and easy Air Fryer Green Beans healthier just by using my air fryer without sacrificing flavor or crispiness. And today I’m cooking steaks.

The perfect steak is a celebration food in my house. It’s Freddy’s favorite and it makes an appearance when we celebrate a big promotion at work, his birthday, or whatever else he can come up with so he can convince me we have to have steak that night.

And to be honest I looooooooooooooooove a juicy steak with that perfect sear on the outside.

I was shocked when I saw scrolling through Instagram that I could make a steak in the air fryer. Yeap, tender steak dinner cooked like it was made on the grill in the air fryer. #onit

top down view of the completed air fryer steak recipe

I knew Freddy would flip for joy if I told him the dinner plan, so I went about my business without letting on that I was making his favorite man food.

He was soooooooo surprised I made steak but even more surprised at how perfect the sear was on the outside of the steak and juicy on the inside.

Don’t you need to make this LIKE NOW ?!

P.S. be sure to check out these Air Fryer Steak Bites too. And season it with this Best Dang Steak Seasoning.

air fryer cheat sheet printable

Why Make This Recipe

Peeps, being able to get a great sear and perfectly cooked juicy steak in the air fryer is pretty amazing. Let me tell you all the reasons why I love making air fryer steak:

  • Steak is cooked evenly – because the heat temperature from the fan in the air fryer stays consistent. Every time you cook steak in air fryer it will come out exactly as you want it to. As long as you follow your time and settings, and make sure to flip halfway through.
  • It’s the perfect weeknight dinner – I season our steaks, put them in the air fryer, and flip halfway through. With the stovetop or the grill I need to watch, keep flipping back and forth, and test for doneness. The air fryer is a perfect tool for those busy weeknights when you’re dealing with homework, setting the table, and getting dinner ready for everyone. Serve with Smothered Potatoes for a great meal.
  • The stove or grill might not be available – the air fryer won’t heat up my house like the stove does. Especially if I am finishing off our steaks in the oven. And the grill might not be an option due to cold weather or a wet storm.
  • It is so easy – if you’re a little nervous about getting the proper doneness on your steak, the air fryer will help you out. Having a meat thermometer handy will also help you prevent overcooking your juicy steak. Ps you can also try this Air Fryer Pot Roast.
  • Leftovers – leftover steak is great for meal prep all week long.
  • Nutritious – it is great source of protein and iron.
one air fryer steak served topped with butter

Ingredient Notes

For the meat

  • Steak – this recipe calls for sirloin steaks that are about a half a pound each. You can use any type of steak you prefer.
  • Oil – for simplicity, just use olive oil.
  • Simple seasoning – kosher salt and pepper are all you need for this.

For the sauce

  • Soy sauce – use gluten free soy sauce if you prefer.
  • Liquid smoke – adds great smoky extra flavor to this.
  • Optional Garlic – feel free to add some garlic paste or garlic powder.
  • Butter – for the second steak.
the ingredients needed to make air fryer steak

Are you ready to make Air Fryer Sirloin Steak? Grab your ingredients and I’ll show you how………….

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

How To Cook Steak In Air Fryer

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
  2. Rub the olive oil on both sides of the steaks and season them with salt and black pepper and add them to the air fryer basket (make sure they are not touching).
  3. Air fry steaks for 12 minutes for medium doneness, making sure to flip halfway through.
  4. When cooked to desired doneness, remove steak from the air fryer and rest for at least 5 minutes.
  5. Pour the first steak with soy sauce, liquid smoke, and garlic marinade before serving.
  6. Put a piece of butter on the second hot steak and let it melt a little for serving.
image collage showing the steps for making air fryer steak

If You Prefer a Herb Butter

  1. Mix together butter, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Transfer mixture to parchment paper and form into a log shape.
  3. Roll the butter in the parchment to one and a half inches in diameter, twisting the ends to close, and refrigerate until later.
herb butter in a roll

Recipe Tips

  • Pat your steak dry before rubbing on the olive oil. You’re going to want to remove any of that excess moisture from the steak before adding the olive oil. This step is the most crucial when it comes to cooking a steak.
  • Leave uncooked steak to sit out for 20 minutes to come to room temperature. Add your salt to let some of the moisture of the steak get into that salt to help create the crust when cooked in the air fryer.
  • Let steaks rest after cooking. At least 5 minutes, but rest longer if you have the time. Sometimes Freddy is so into having steak he will cut into it too soon and lose all of that delicious juice that just craves to be reabsorbed back into the meat.
  • Make sure steaks do not touch in the air fryer to allow for consistent hot air from the fan to circulate during the cooking process.
  • For best results, Preheat Your Air Fryer before cooking these.
  • You don’t have to use olive oil but it adds great flavor to your steaks.
  • Feel free to cook this in a skillet or grill if you don’t have an Air Fryer.
  • Try and make sure the steaks are at least one inch thick.
top down view of sliced air fryer steak on a white plate

Delicious Variations

  • Instead of plain butter, you can serve these with a compound butter like garlic herb butter flavored with rosemary, basil or tarragon or garlic butter.
  • You can add any flavor or spices you’d like to season your steak. Try seasoning your steak with Cajun, Creole or BBQ rubs.
making air fryer steak with herb butter collage

Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Allow the meat to come to room temperature for about 40 minutes. If making butter then prep ahead and keep for 24 hours in the fridge.
  • Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze – Freeze leftovers in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.  
2 air fryer steaks on a plate with butter

FAQs

Degrees of Doneness

Degrees of doneness for steak is a gauge of how thoroughly cooked the meat is based on the color and internal temperature. And it is best to always use an instant read meat thermometer to check the temperature.

For air frying steak, common gradations include: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done.

Rare: is a cool red center with an internal temperature of 125 degrees F / 52 degrees C. When you hear someone say they like their steak mooing, this is it.
Medium Rare: a warm red center with an internal temperature of 135 degrees F / 57 degrees C.
Medium: is a warm pink center with an internal temperature of 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C.
Medium Well: will have a slightly pink center with an internal temperature of 150 degrees F / 66 degrees C.
Well Done: steak that is well done will have very little to no pink with an internal temperature of 160 F degrees / 71 degrees C.

Chef’s Tip: It’s important to note that you should always pull your steak when it’s 5 degrees below the temperature you want it to reach. When you let your Airfryer Steak rest, it will continue to cook for a short time after you pull it because the steak will retain the heat from cooking.

How Long To Cook Steak In An Air Fryer?

Cooking steak in the air fryer might be a bit of a trial for you if you are not used to your machine. Here are my cook time recommendations for Air Fried Steak. Keep in mind you will be flipping halfway through.

Rare Steak: 6-8 minutes
Medium Rare Steak: 8-10 minutes
For Medium Steak: 12 minutes
Steak that is Medium Well: 14 minutes
Well Done Steak: 15 minutes

Remember to adjust cook times for the thickness of your cut of meat. For thinner steaks, decrease the overall cook time. And for a thicker steak, increase the cook time.
Always check the temperature of your steak using a meat thermometer.

How To Reheat Steak In Air Fryer

This is super easy to do. Just head on over to this How To Reheat Steak in Air Fryer post, which is full of a lot of tips and tricks for the perfect treat.

What Kind of Steaks To Use?

Folks, so far we have loved every single cut of meat we’ve tested out in the air fryer. I’ve made delicious filet mignon, ribeye and skirt steak, and I’m looking to try New York Strip Steak next in the air fryer.

Be sure to adjust cooking times and temperature to the cut, size, and thickness.

the completed air fryer steak served with green beans

Flavor Variations

Air Fryer Steak and Potatoes

Cook steak in air fryer along with my perfect Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, and in just minutes you can serve up the classic steak and potatoes dinner. You will love how easy it is to make this restaurant quality meal at home!

the finished air fryer steak on a white plate

More Recipes You May Like

Serving Suggestions

Pair your perfect air fryer steak with any of these gluten free sides for a delicious meal;

Even More Air Fryer Recipes

air fryer steak sliced, topped with butter and sauce, and ready to serve

Air Fryer Steak Video

 

Best Equipment To Use

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top down view of air fryer steak with garlic sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Steak

Cooking steak in air fryer is easy and turns out perfect every time!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time17 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Western
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 2
Calories: 591kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

Air Fryer Steak

  • 16 ounces (453g) steak 2 individual steaks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Marinade (for the first steak)

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon garlic optional
  • 1 tablespoon butter for the second steak

Herb Lemon Butter

  • ½ stick unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon thyme chopped
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To Make Steak in Air Fryer:

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
  • Rub the olive oil on both sides of the steaks and season them with salt and black pepper and add them to the air fryer basket (make sure they are not touching).
  • Air fry steaks for 12 minutes for medium doneness, making sure to flip halfway through.
  • When cooked to desired doneness, remove steak from the air fryer and rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Pour soy sauce, liquid smoke, and garlic marinade on the first steak, then place a piece of butter on the second steak and let it melt a little before serving.

To Make Air Fryer Steak with Herb Lemon Butter:

  • Mix together butter, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Transfer mixture to parchment paper and form into a log shape.
  • Roll the butter in the parchment to 1 ½ inches in diameter, twisting the ends to close and refrigerate until later.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
  • Rub the olive oil on both side of the steaks and season with salt and black pepper.
  • Add the steaks to the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes for medium, making sure to flip halfway through.
  • When cooked to desired doneness, remove from the air fryer and rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Top with the refrigerated herb butter and serve.
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Video

 

Notes

  • Pat your steak dry before rubbing on the olive oil. You’re going to want to remove any of that excess moisture from the steak before adding the olive oil. This step is the most crucial when it comes to cooking a steak.
  • Leave uncooked steak to sit out for 20 minutes to come to room temperature. Add your salt to let some of the moisture of the steak get into that salt to help create the crust when cooked in the air fryer.
  • Let steaks rest after cooking. At least 5 minutes, but rest longer if you have the time. Sometimes Freddy is so into having steak he will cut into it too soon and lose all of that delicious juice that just craves to be reabsorbed back into the meat.
  • Make sure steaks do not touch in the air fryer to allow for consistent hot air from the fan to circulate during the cooking process.
  • For best results, Preheat Your Air Fryer before cooking these.
  • You don’t have to use olive oil but it adds great flavor to your steaks.
  • Feel free to cook this in a skillet or grill if you don’t have an Air Fryer.
  • Try and make sure the steaks are at least one inch thick.
  • Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 591kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 4mg

 

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12 Comments

  1. we really want an air fryer for things like cauliflower and for crispy veg etc 🙂 my parents have one and it’s such a treat to use when we visit!

  2. Air Fryer Steak with Herb Lemon Butter looks so delicious. I watched the video and I must say that the final product looks perfect and it seems like it’s easy to make. I may need to try this soon, Thanks.

  3. Thanks for this, I’ve been seeing air fryers everywhere but never really became convinced about the food turning out delicious. This steak looks divine!

  4. I’ve never thought to have steak with lemon butter – what an interesting flavour combo 🙂 An air fryer sounds like a good way to cook it x

  5. My other half would love this, he is a massive fan of steak. The ideal dish for him xx

  6. I can’t believe you were able to cook the steak in an air fryer. I didn’t realise those were so versatile. I thought it was just or chips and potato wedges.

  7. Steak with herb and lemon button is one of our absolute favourites, I’ve never thought to do it in the air fryer though x

  8. 5 stars
    I never knew you could cook steak in an air fryer – well, you learn something new every day. I’d love an air fryer of my own.

  9. Oh my goodness this looks absolutely incredible! It is amazing all the things you can do in a air fryer! I wonder what the other half would think of this.