Folks, I truly love my air fryer. I’ve made classic comfort food dishes like Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast healthier just by using my air fryer without sacrificing flavour or crispiness. And today I’m making Air Fryer Steak.
Steak is a celebration food in my house. It’s Freddy’s favourite 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, steak cooked like it was made on the grill in the air fryer. #onit
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 favourite 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 how I was able to cook it to medium temperature just like he likes it.
There really isn’t anything better than this Air Fryer Steak with the delicious Herb Butter. Look at all that herb lemon butter melting all over the steak. Don’t you need to make this LIKE NOW.
Air Fryer Steak Tools
KITCHEN TOOLS, UTENSILS & APPLIANCES NEEDED
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my disclosure.
Here are some of the items you will need to make this recipe.
- Air Fryer.
- These tongs make turning your food easy.
- This Electric Salt Pepper Grinder makes seasoning your steak easy.
- Bowls with covers.
- Store leftover food in these bowls.
- Meat thermometer.
- Use please this to check the internal temperature of meat if needed.
Are you ready to make Air Fryer Steak? Grab your ingredients and I’ll show you how………….
How to Make Air Fryer Steak Step by Step
To make the 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 1/2 inches in diameter, twisting the ends to close and refrigerate until later.
To make the steak:
- Preheat air fryer to 400F / 200C.
- Rub the olive oil on both side of the steaks and season them with salt and black pepper.
- Add the steaks to the air fryer basket (make sure they are not touching).
- Cook for 12 mins for medium doneness, making sure to flip halfway through.
- When cooked to desired doneness, remove from the air fryer and rest for at least 5 mins.
- Top with refrigerated herb lemon butter and serve.
Air Fryer Steak 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 sit out for 20 mins. 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.
- Rest your steak after cooking. At least 5 mins 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 heat from the fan during the cooking process.
- You don’t have to use the olive oil but it adds great flavour to your steaks.
- You can add any flavour or spices you’d like to your herb butter or your steak. Try seasoning your steak with Cajun, Creole or BBQ rubs. Or change up the herb butter to include rosemary, basil or tarragon.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Steak
Steaks on the grill or in the cast iron are amaaaaaaaazing but being able to get a great sear and a juicy steak in the air fryer is a great alternative. Let me tell you 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 Air Fryer Steak 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 stove top 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.
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. It is super 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.
Degrees of Doneness for Steak
Degrees of doneness for steak is a gauge of how thoroughly cooked the meat is based on the colour and internal temperature. Please use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. For steaks, common gradations include: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well and well done.
Rare: is a cool red center with an internal temperature of 52C (125F). When you hear someone say they like their steak mooing, this is it.
Medium Rare: a warm red center with an internal temperature of 57C (135F).
Medium: is a warm pink center with an internal temperature of 63C (145F).
Medium Well: will have a slightly pink center with an internal temperature of 66C (150F).
Well Done: steak that is well done will have very little to no pink with an internal temperature of 71C (160F).
Chef’s Tip: It’s important to note that you should always pull your steak when it’s 5° below the temperature you want it to reach. When you let your Air Fryer Steak rest, it will continue to cook for a short time after you pull it because the steak will retain the heat from cooking.
What Kind of Steaks to Use in the Air Fryer
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, skirt steak, and ribeye and I’m looking to try New York Strip next in the air fryer.
How Long Do You Cook Steak in the 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 Fryer Steak. Keep in mind you will be flipping halfway through.
- Rare: 6-8 mins
- Medium Rare: 8-10 mins
- Medium: 12 mins
- Medium Well: 14mins
- Well Done: 15 mins
Remember to adjust cook times for thickness of your cut of meat. For thinner steaks, decrease the overall cook time. And for a thicker steak increase the cook time. And don’t forget to check to check the temperature using your meat thermometer if you prefer.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak
More Air Fryer Recipes
Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Steak recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.
Get the Air Fryer Steak Recipe:
Air Fryer Steak is cooked to juicy perfection on the inside with the perfect outside sear.
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp thyme chopped
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- salt
- black pepper
- 4 (8oz) steak
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 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 1/2 inches in diameter, twisting the ends to close and refrigerate until later.
- Preheat air fryer to 400F / 200C.
- 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 mins for medium, making sure to flip halfway through.
- When cooked to desired doneness, remove from the air fryer and rest for at least 5 mins.
- Top with refrigerated herb butter and serve.
Air Fryer Steak 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 sit out for 20 mins. 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.
- Rest your steak after cooking. At least 5 mins but rest longer if you have the time.
- Make sure steaks do not touch in the air fryer to allow for consistent heat from the fan during the cooking process.
- You don’t have to use the olive oil but it adds great flavour to your steaks.
- You can add any flavour or spices you’d like to your herb butter or your steak. Try seasoning your steak with Cajun, Creole or BBQ rubs. Or change up the herb butter to include rosemary, basil or tarragon.
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