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.
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.