If you're wondering how to make the perfect air fryer steak, look no further. This method of cooking steak in the air fryer provides a perfect juicy steak every time.
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
I had only intended to make fried foods when I purchased my Air Fryer. Little did I know how amazing this appliance was and that it could make much more than fried food. Now I have a ton of air fryer recipes as I use it all the time.
Initially, I used it to make chicken for my Healthier General Tso's Chicken in the Air Fryer, and I also used it frequently for roasting vegetables. Then I discovered that my air fryer could make juicy steak!
Top your steaks with my homemade garlic butter that can be whipped up easily and can go on many dishes, including fish, bread, and vegetables. I like to create more than we need for our steaks and save the rest for later in the fridge. I would eat the stuff by the spoonful if I could.
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Steak Fajitas and Air Fryer Steak Kebabs too!
A Quick Look at The Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ribeye Steaks – I use two 8-oz ribeye steaks, approximately 1 inch thick, for their rich, juicy flavor and marbling.
- Salt & Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – A classic combo to season the steak simply and effectively.
- Garlic Butter – A flavorful finish that melts over the hot steak:
- Unsalted Butter – Softened to mix easily.
- Fresh Parsley – For a pop of freshness.
- Minced Garlic – Adds bold, savory depth.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Just a splash for umami.
- Salt – To balance and enhance all the flavors.
How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
First Step: Prepare the garlic butter by mixing softened butter, parsley, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and salt until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Place in parchment paper and roll into a log. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2nd Step: Remove the steak from the refrigerator, season it with salt and pepper, and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, gently pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
3rd Step: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4th Step: Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter and enjoy.
What's the best cut of steak to cook in the air fryer?
The beauty of steak in your air fryer is that you can cook different cuts in the machine. I've made delicious filet mignon, skirt steak, and ribeye. Just remember to adjust cooking times according to the steak's thickness and desired doneness. Making beef tenderloin in the air fryer is also a must for my steak lovers!
I have found that 400°F is the perfect temperature to cook steak in the air fryer. For an 8-ounce ribeye, it will take 10-12 minutes, and remember to flip halfway through.
An instant-read thermometer is a must for cooking steaks at home, and I've included the recommended temperatures in the recipe below so you can cook them to exactly your liking.
Can you marinate the steak?
I love to have my steak seasoned with salt and pepper, but if you prefer, you can use seasoned salt or your favorite liquid marinade for extra flavor. Marinate the steak for at least an hour or up to 8 hours, then let it come up to room temperature before cooking in the air fryer.
Degrees of Doneness
For an idea of steak degrees of doneness, follow the times below. Make sure you use a quick read thermometer to check the correct temperatures.
| Temperature | Doneness | How it Looks |
| 125°F (52°C) | rare | Cool red center |
| 135°F (57°C) | medium-rare | red center, warm |
| 145°F (63°C) | medium | warm pink center, juicy |
| 150°F (66°C) | medium-well | slightly pink center, juicy |
| 160°F+ (71°C) | well-done | brown throughout, chewy |
What sides go with steak?
This recipe is perfect for date night; serve it alongside your favorite veggie and potato sides for a real feast! Try it with:
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Garlic Herb Mushrooms
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
- Carrot Soufflé
- Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Sautéed Mushrooms
For a similar recipe, try my Air Fryer Lamb Chops. For other ways to cook your steak, try my pan-seared steak.
Tanya's Tips for Making Steak in the Air Fryer
- Make sure that your steak is at room temperature before adding it to the air fryer. This will help it to stay tender and juicy.
- Preheat your air fryer thoroughly before adding the steak, ensuring it cooks evenly throughout. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at 400°F for 5 minutes before placing the food inside.
- Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving. Cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. This will get the steaks perfectly juicy.
- The garlic herb butter will keep well for a couple of weeks in the fridge, and it freezes well for up to 3 months.
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this air-fried steak from start to finish.
Please note that in the video, I add olive oil to the steak. I like to add it for added flavor, but I've also come to realize that the ingredient can be skipped. Feel free to add it if you love that in the original recipe.
I hope you love this method of making steak as much as we do. If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. I appreciate your support!
Perfect Air Fryer Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing butter, parsley garlic, worcestershire sauce, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined.
- Place in parchment paper and roll into a log. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Remove steak from fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Season the steaks with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.*
- Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter.
Nutrition
Notes
- 125°F for rare
- 135°F for medium-rare
- 145°F for medium
- 150°F for medium-well
- 160°F for well-done
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!The OG Photos
Post originally published April 9, 2018. It has been updated with additional helpful tips, a few tweaks, and new photos.
Rei says
Superb! Delicious! 5 minutes per side and mine came out medium rare. Wow it's so simple and effortless yet so good! I don't have parsley so I just used dried herbs. I made potato wedges too and used the butter to complement the potatoes. It's a lunch to be remembered!
Tanya says
Thank you Rei! Sounds like an amazing lunch 🙂
Joan says
you keep referring to a pot air fryer. I don't have one of those, mine is built like a toaster over, square. is cooking the same? this was a gift to me
Adriana says
@Joan, I used the same type you have, and it worked perfectly.
Danielle says
I cooked my 1” steaks on 400 as directed but only for 5 minutes per side and they came out well done. Womp womp. Will do 350 next time and 4 minutes on each side.
Nancy says
@Danielle, How thin were your steaks. If they were thin cut = it would certainly make a difference
Jim says
1 lb, 1" thick London cut: 400*F, 6 minutes per side, small Cosori air fryer, elevated on small rack. Medium rare.
Excellent!
Donna says
Great steak recipe. I’m new to air frying and love it. You are a great help and resource!
Tanya says
Thank you Donna 🙂
Nadine says
Tanya,
Thanks for the recipe. This has been my go to steak recipe for the past couple of months. Great tasting, perfectly cooked steak and the garlic butter ad just the right finishing touch. This has become a family favorite.
Tanya says
Thank you so much Nadine 🙂
James says
You have a link to parchment paper. Not sure if you are aware, but there is parchment paper for an air fryer, meaning it is round. Different sizes depending on size of air fryer.
Tanya says
You are correct about the parchment paper for air fryer use. I actually used regular parchment paper in this recipe for rolling the herb butter. I actually don’t use parchment paper for steak. I do use the special air fryer parchment paper cuts outs for a few other recipes.
Jackie Conner says
Hi Tanya, I want to cook 2 T-bone steaks in my air fryer. What is your recommendation for time and temperature for cooking them rare?
I'm new at cooking in my air fryer and haven't made anything other than French fries. Thanks for your help.
Donna Landers says
Can I make the garlic butter with ghee!
Marci Runnion says
Hi Tanya: First of all let me confess I am not a cook, been there done that but I did try your air fryer steak and it turned out perfect and delicious so I had such good luck with that I may try some other recipes later on. If it can't be microwaved it never reaches my kitchen. The mind says I can do all these meals but at 82 the body says whoa.
Thank you for helping me eat better.
Tanya says
I'm so happy to hear that! 🙂 Quick and easy recipes are a favorite around here too.
Cynda says
@Tanya,
Lol. I, too, deeply appreciate your recipes. I've been cooking for one the past 12yrs and became disabled (spine)going on 7yrs. Eating healthy n well has bn a challenge and my independence is important, although I had home health for 2-3yrs b4 moving cross country just b4 covid. I live in walkout basement of lrg home I'm buying w daughter and SO. My eating choices, the taste, variety, just EVERYTHING about the airfryer, instant pot, etc, has made a massive difference. Thanks so much for teaching me..I'm having a 1" aged steak as soon as it's done resting. 😁
Alisha Ross says
I love cooking meals with my crock pot! These are some great recipes and I pinned this to my Pinterest crock pot/slow cooker board. Thanks so much for sharing!
Suzanne says
Maybe I missed the info regarding the thickness of meat and cooking times. Is there a chart ?
Tanya says
Hi Suzanne, I don’t have a chart. The cook times will have to be adjusted for thicker or thinner steaks. The cook times provided are for steaks between 1-2 inches.
Charles says
Hello Tanya! I am Charles and although I am not an attorney, and especially not a busy wife and mom, but am I a blogger like you! So I know how hard it is to run a blog and make good, consistent posts.
Though I haven't seen any unhealthy recipe on your blog, I think if you add healthy recipes or gym food recipes category then your blog may appeal to another huge audience!
That said, last time my partner was here we used one of your recipes! It was quick to make and food was delicious. Thank you for that. Next time my partner is here we will try to make your steak with garlic butter, sounds delicious and healthy, and proteins from meat always give me the biggest energy boost. PS, great blog. Keep up the good work! Cheers.
Tanya says
Hi fellow blogger! You read my mind, the plan is to throw a few more healthy recipes on the blog. My goal is to share a variety of recipes that we eat in our house. Some healthy, others not so much, all delicious to us. Thanks so much for reaching out and I hope you enjoy the steak recipe as well 🙂
Laura says
I made flat iron steaks using this recipe in my new toaster over/ air fryer tonight. Perfectly done, and the garlic herb butter was so delicious.
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad you liked it 🙂
Vicky Watkins says
Hi Tanya,
I tried your recipe tonight. It was easy, quick and delicious. My husband loved it. I called my sister and her husband and recommended it to them and you blog.
Thank you!
Vicky
Tam says
Did you finish your steaks under the broiler in the picture of the cookie sheet pan? They look like you might have, I Love the fat brown and kinda crispy!!!
Thank you for the recipe and tips!
Merry Christmas!!?
Tanya says
Merry Christmas! The steaks were all done in the air fryer. It's the fat on the ribeye and the little bit of olive oil that gets that nice brown and slight crisp. I moved the steaks to the cookie sheet pan for the photos but one of the step by step photos shows it right in the air fryer when done.