Air Fryer Steak

This air fryer steak is juicy and tender inside with a browned, crisp crust outside, ready in about 15 minutes with no smoke and almost no cleanup.

Try my Sirloin Steak in Oven or Garlic Butter Steak Bites next for more easy steak dinners!

Want a great steak without heating up the kitchen or standing over a smoking pan? Air fryer steak is the answer. The fast, circulating heat browns the outside while the inside stays juicy, and a pat of garlic herb butter melts over the top at the end for a steakhouse finish.

This air fryer steak uses just a few simple ingredients and works with sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, or filet. It is completely alcohol free, with no wine or beer marinade, and it works the same with beef from your butcher.

Ingredients List

For this air fryer steak you need two steaks about 1 inch thick, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. For the garlic herb butter you need softened butter, garlic, parsley, and fresh thyme.

Thicker steaks, at least 1 inch, work best because they stay juicy while the outside browns. Sirloin is a lean and affordable choice, and ribeye is richer and more tender. Let the steaks sit out for 20 minutes before cooking so they cook evenly.

How to Make It

This is just the overview for this air fryer steak. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and timing.

Pat the steaks dry, rub them with oil, and season both sides. Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes, then place the steaks in a single layer in the basket. Cook for the time in the chart below, flipping once halfway through, until the steak reaches your target temperature. Top with the garlic herb butter, rest for 5 minutes, and slice against the grain.

How Long to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer

Cooking time depends on the thickness of your steak and how done you like it. Use this chart at 400F and flip the steak halfway through. The USDA recommends cooking beef to 145°F, and the other doneness levels show how steak is often served.

Air fryers vary, so start checking with a meat thermometer 2 minutes before the time is up. Steak keeps cooking as it rests, so pull it about 5 degrees below your target.

Make Ahead Method

• Season the steaks up to 24 hours ahead and leave them uncovered in the refrigerator. Salt dries the surface so it browns better.
• Make the garlic herb butter ahead by mixing it and refrigerating for up to 3 days, or roll it into a log and slice off what you need.
• Reheat leftovers gently in the air fryer at 300F for 2 to 3 minutes so the steak does not turn tough.

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Air Fryer Steak

Recipe by TheMeatTable

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: SteakCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

12

minutes

Calories

520

kcal

Juicy air fryer steak with a browned crust and garlic herb butter, ready in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 steaks, 1 inch thick (8 to 10 oz each), sirloin or ribeye

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Directions

• Prep the steaks. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry, rub with the olive oil, and season both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
• Make the garlic herb butter. Mix the softened butter with the garlic, parsley, and thyme.
• Preheat. Heat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes.
• Cook. Place the steaks in a single layer in the basket and cook 8 to 10 minutes for 1 inch steaks, flipping once halfway through.
• Check doneness. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part. Pull at 130 to 135F for medium rare or 140 to 145F for medium.
• Rest and serve. Top each steak with the garlic herb butter, rest 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve.

Notes

Use steaks at least 1 inch thick, and do not crowd the basket. Air fryers vary, so start checking 2 minutes early. Steak keeps cooking as it rests, so pull it about 5 degrees below your target. The USDA recommends beef reach 145F.

For food safety, beef should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (USDA guidelines), followed by a 3 minute rest, so check the thickest part of the steak with a meat thermometer.

Nutritional Information

Air fryer steak is a high protein, low carb meal. Each serving, based on 2 servings, has about 520 calories and 46 grams of protein, plus iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 from the beef.

A serving also has about 1 gram of carbohydrates and 34 grams of fat, with 14 grams of saturated fat from the butter and beef. Sodium is about 650 milligrams per serving.

Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

To lighten this air fryer steak, choose a lean cut like sirloin and trim the visible fat. Use 1 tablespoon of butter for the topping instead of 3, or skip it and finish with a squeeze of lemon.

Use half the salt for a lower sodium meal, and serve the steak with roasted vegetables or a big salad to balance the plate.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the steak with air fryer potatoes, roasted broccoli, or a fresh green salad. Mashed potatoes or rice soak up the melted garlic butter nicely.

For more steak nights, try my Cast Iron Ribeye Steak for a pan seared version, or my Steak on Pellet Grill for outdoor cooking. Leftover slices are great in the ideas from my What to Do with Leftover Steak.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple slips can leave air fryer steak dry or gray. Avoid these when you make air fryer steak.

• Skipping the preheat – A hot basket gives the steak a better crust.
• Using thin steaks – Steaks under 1 inch overcook fast, so choose thicker cuts.
• Crowding the basket – Hot air needs space to circulate, so cook in batches.
• Not checking the temperature – Air fryers vary, so use a meat thermometer.
• Skipping the rest – Rest the steak for 5 minutes so the juices stay inside.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Store leftover air fryer steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the air fryer at 300F for 2 to 3 minutes, or eat them cold in salads and sandwiches.

Cooked steak freezes for up to 2 months, but the texture is best fresh. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Conclusion

Air fryer steak is the easiest way to get a juicy, browned steak with almost no mess. A hot basket, a thick cut, and a spoonful of garlic herb butter are all you need for a quick dinner you will make again and again.

FAQ

How long do you cook steak in the air fryer?

A 1 inch steak takes about 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare and 10 to 12 minutes for medium at 400F, flipping once.

What temperature should air fryer steak reach?

The USDA recommends 145°F. Many people pull steak at 130 to 135F for medium rare and let it rest.

Do you flip steak in the air fryer?

Yes, flip it once halfway through so both sides brown evenly.

Can I cook frozen steak in the air fryer?

It is best to thaw steak in the refrigerator first. Frozen steak cooks unevenly and does not brown well.

What is the best cut of steak for the air fryer?

Sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, and filet all work well. Choose steaks at least 1 inch thick.

Do I need to oil the steak?

Yes, a light coat of oil helps the seasoning stick and the crust brown.

Try These Next

• Flank Steak
• Steak Marinade
• Sirloin Steak in Oven
• Steak on Pellet Grill
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Cast Iron Ribeye Steak
• What to Do with Leftover Steak