Make perfect Air Fryer Steak that is seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. Air frying steak is quick and easy with no splatter or mess in the kitchen!
Air Fryer Steak
Through trial and error, I learned some tips to make perfect air fryer steaks. Here I used leaner sirloin, but this will work for any steak you like. I do recommend making sure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast without getting a chance to brown. A little oil rubbed on the steaks helps the steaks brown better. Adding a dry rub to leaner steaks like this sirloin or chops helps with overall color. We usually eat it with baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, or mashed potatoes and a vegetable, like roasted green beans or asparagus. You can see more air fryer recipes here.
While creating two air fryer cookbooks, with Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners being my latest, I tested my fair share of steaks in the air fryer. I tried them in many different air fryers and got different results. Air fryers that were at least 1800 watts, like my favorite GoWISE Air Fryer, browned the steaks nicely. Other models didn’t yield the best results.
Tips and Variations for Perfect Steak in the Air Fryer
- Steak Type: I used leaner sirloin for this recipe, but this method will work for any thick steak you like.
- Thickness Matters: Start with steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast without getting a chance to brown.
- Room Temperature: Let your steaks get to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking for the best results.
- Dry Steaks: Pat steaks and pork chops with paper towels to remove moisture, which will stream them rather than brown.
- Better Browning: Your steaks, chops, and vegetables will brown better when spritzed with a little oil.
- Dry Rub for Leaner Steaks: Adding a dry rub to leaner steaks helps with overall color. For this recipe, I kept it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: The steaks should have enough airflow for optimal browning.
- Rest: Remove the steaks and let them rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil so they don’t continue cooking in the air fryer basket.
How long do steaks take in the air fryer?
- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes and flip it at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes and flip it at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What temp do you air fry steak to?
Use a meat probe to test your steaks and take them out five degrees before your desired doneness, as the meat temp will increase as it rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
More Steak Recipes You’ll Love:
- Grilled Steak with Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Balsamic
- Skirt Steak, Baby Bok Choy, and Zucchini Stir Fry
- Grilled Flank Steak with Black Beans and Corn Salsa
- Carne Asada Steak Salad
- Steak Kebabs with Chimichurri
Air Fryer Steak
Equipment
- Air Fryer (I love this pretty white one from AllCool)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 sirloin steaks, 1 inch thick (1 1/2 lbs total)
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Combine the spices in a small bowl.
- Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices.
- Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. For a 1-inch steak, air fry 400F 10 minutes turning halfway, for medium rare, for medium, cook 12 minutes, flipping halfway. See temp chart below, time may vary slightly with different air fryer models, and the thickness of the steaks.
- Finish with a pinch of more salt and black pepper.
- Let it rest, tented with foil 5 minutes before slicing.
Last Step:
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- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes and flip it at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes and flip it at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
