Air Fryer Steak
Learn how to cook a perfect steak in the air fryer. Air Fryer Steak is so tender and juicy, and absolutely irresistible served with garlic butter!
We’ve covered how to make Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Air Fryer Salmon. Today we’re talking about how to prepare another go-to protein in the air fryer: Air Fryer Steak!
If you’re looking to make perfectly cooked, tender, juicy steaks, the air fryer is the way to go. This easy-to-use kitchen appliance circulates hot air around food as it cooks. This means that food cooks quickly, and crispy foods become extra crispy while proteins cook up especially tender and juicy. Read my guide on how to use an air fryer to learn the best tips for making air fryer meals.
While I love throwing a couple of steaks on the grill in the summer time, when the weather is less than ideal outside I’d rather cook indoors. That’s where the air fryer comes in handy. The more I use my air fryer, the more I love it for preparing fast and easy meals for my family. This air fryer steak recipe is one of our favorites. It’s quick, it’s easy, and the whole family loves it. Served with a pat of Garlic Butter, it makes the best steak dinner!
Air Fryer Steak Recipe Ingredients
I love cooking steak because it requires minimal ingredients to make it shine. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Steaks: My favorite cuts of steak to use in this recipe are Ribeye Steak, Top Sirloin or New York Strip.
- Olive Oil: Adds moisture to keep the outside of the steak juicy.
- Garlic Powder: This is an easy way to add extra flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Flavor essentials!
Recipe Variations
- If you’d like to add more seasoning to your steaks, you can sprinkle on steak seasoning or Italian seasoning.
- If you prefer to use a marinade, try my Steak Marinade recipe.
Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer
Cooking air fryer steak is unbelievably easy. A few simple tips will help ensure that your steaks turn out perfect.
- Let the steaks come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This promotes more even cooking and will give you a more tender steak.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes.
- Rub olive oil over the steaks.
- Season well. Sprinkle both sides of the steaks with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Be generous with the salt and pepper.
- Put the steaks in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. I can comfortably fit two large steaks in my air fryer basket. You can cook the steaks in batches, if needed.
- Cook at 400° F for 5 minutes. Then flip the steaks over and cook for 3-9 more minutes, until the steaks are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving or slicing. This wait time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Steak Done Temperatures
An easy way to tell if your steak is done is to measure the internal steak temperature using an instant read thermometer.
- Cook to 135° F for medium rare.
- Cook to 145° F for medium.
- Cook to 150° F for medium well.
- Cook to 160° F for well done.
How Long to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
The cook time will depend on the size and thickness of your steak, your air fryer model, and how you like your steak cooked. Mine usually take between 8-14 minutes total, flipping the steak after 5 minutes of cook time. I recommend that you start checking the progress of the steak with an instant read thermometer after it has cooked for 8 minutes to avoid overcooking it. The temperature of the steak will continue to rise a few degrees as it rests.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak
I love serving this air fryer steak topped with garlic herb butter or chimichurri sauce. To complete your steak dinner, add in a couple of these side dish ideas:
- Potatoes: A Baked Potato is a classic side dish for steak. For extra crispy skins, try my Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe. A Baked Sweet Potato, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Baked French Fries are other delicious options.
- Vegetables: Try Sautéed Green Beans, Roasted Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, mixed Roasted Vegetables or Air Fryer Asparagus.
- Bread: Garlic Bread, sliced sourdough or Dinner Rolls are always welcome additions to a meal.
- Salad: Add in a fresh Green Salad, Kale Salad or Coleslaw.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Steak is best served right after cooking, but that doesn’t mean that the leftovers won’t make a delicious steak sandwich. Cooked steak may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked steak, wrapped airtight, for up to 3 months.
To reheat:
- Oven: Wrap steak in foil to seal in moisture and heat in a 350° F oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until hot.
- Microwave: Reheat gently in the microwave until hot. Slicing the steak can help it to heat through evenly.
- Air Fryer: Steak will only take a few minutes to reheat in the air fryer. Heat at 360° F, checking on it every 2 minutes, until hot.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Best Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 2 Ribeye, Sirloin or New York Strip steaks, 1-inch thick
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- â…› teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- garlic butter, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Let steaks come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer at 400° F for 5 minutes.
- Rub olive oil over steaks. Sprinkle both sides of steaks with garlic powder and a generous amount of salt and pepper.
- Place steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, without overlapping. (If they won't fit at the same time, cook in two batches.) Air fry steaks at 400° F for 5 minutes, then flip over and continue cooking for 3-9 more minutes, or until cooked to your desired doneness. To check if steak is done, use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the center of the steak. Cook to 135° F for medium-rare, 145° F for medium, 150° F for medium-well, 160° F for well done.
- Let steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with garlic butter, if desired.
How nany minutes do you air fry on each side to get it to medium doneness? (I dont have a thermometer yet!) 🙂
Hi Jen, The exact cook time will depend on the thickness of your steaks and if they are fully at room temperature or still a bit cool from the fridge. I’d aim for somewhere in the middle of the cook time range for medium. I highly recommend investing in an inexpensive instant read thermometer. I use mine daily!
Made this steak tonight and all I can say is I will never have to beg my husband to light up the grill and cook a steak for me! I love Steak salads and I eat them regularly, makes dieting much more easier loving the food you are eating!