Air Fryer Steak is incredibly tender and juicy with a lightly crisp exterior and cooks in about 14 minutes—a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner that might become your go-to method for steak.
Your New Favorite Way To Cook Steak!
This air fryer steak impressed the first time and every time since. It’s fast, consistent, and produces steak that’s tender inside with a pleasant crust outside. If you haven’t tried steaks in the air fryer yet, this method may change how you cook them at home.
I was late to embrace the air fryer, but now I use it for so many dishes. Cooking steak in the air fryer is simple and reliable, making it a great option for busy nights or when you want perfectly cooked steak with minimal fuss.
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Simply seasoned steak with rich beef flavor.
Texture: Tender and juicy with a lightly crisp coating.
Ease: Easy to follow—minimal hands-on time.
Pros: More consistent results than many pan- or grill-based methods; the air fryer yields reliably cooked steaks each time.
Cons: None notable.
Would I make this again? Yes—it’s a fun and dependable way to prepare a steak when you want a quick, high-quality result.
Air Fryer Steak Ingredients
You only need a few basic ingredients: a 1-inch thick steak (your favorite cut), olive oil, coarse salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Finish with herb butter or garlic butter for extra flavor.
Homemade herb butter is easy to make from ingredients you likely already have: softened butter, salt, pepper, lemon juice, chopped parsley and chives. For garlic butter, add minced garlic or garlic powder to softened butter with parsley and salt.
How To Make Air Fryer Steak
- Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before cooking for even cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F and spray the basket with olive or coconut oil.
- Rub the steak all over with olive oil, coarse salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Place in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 3–6 minutes, depending on desired doneness.
- Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve. Top with herb or garlic butter if desired.
Note: I used a Cosori 5.8qt air fryer; basket capacity varies by model, so you may need to adjust how many steaks you cook at once.
Steak Temperatures
Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Allow for about a 5°F rise while the steak rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
Can I Use Frozen Steak For This Recipe?
Yes. Cook time and temperature will change. Place frozen steak in the air fryer at 400°F and flip halfway through to ensure even cooking. Monitor temperature closely since frozen steaks take longer and results vary by thickness and model.
How To Store Air Fryer Steak
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed through.
Try Other Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryer chocolate cake — a moist cake finished with chocolate ganache.
- Crispy air fryer chicken wings — flavorful honey sriracha wings with a crunchy exterior.
- Quick air fryer biscuit donuts — easy donuts ready in about 20 minutes using canned biscuits.
- Air fryer pizzas — use refrigerated biscuits or dough and add your favorite toppings.
- Air fryer Nashville hot chicken — juicy chicken with a spicy, crunchy coating.
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 16 ounces steak room temperature
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes for best results.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F and spray the basket with oil.
- Rub steaks with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place in the basket without touching.
- Cook 8 minutes, flip, then cook 3–6 more minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
- Rest steaks 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This example uses two 6–8 oz filets, but the method works for other cuts—adjust cook times accordingly.
- Only use steaks at least 1 inch thick for best results; thinner steaks can overcook quickly in the air fryer.
- Remove steaks from the air fryer about 5°F below your target temperature since they’ll rise while resting.
- Recommended target temperatures:
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
- For my preference, I remove filets around 140–145°F so they finish around 145–150°F while resting.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 1 g |
Protein: 46 g |
Fat: 39 g |
Saturated Fat: 15 g |
Cholesterol: 138 mg |
Sodium: 1281 mg |
Potassium: 624 mg