If you are wondering how to make the perfect air fryer steak than look no further. This method of cooking steak in the air fryer provides perfect juicy steak each and everytime. This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.
Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
I only had the intention of making 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.
I already used it to make chicken for my Healthier General Tso’s Chicken in the Air Fryer and I used it often for roasting vegetables, but that was it. Then I discovered that my air fryer could make juicy steak.
Well to be fair, it wasn’t my discovery…I was scrolling through Facebook and someone posted a picture of a beautiful ribeye they had prepared in their air fryer.
I was so in awe and excited about steak in the air fryer that I couldn’t wait to tell my husband. I expected him to be just as shocked and in awe as I was but apparently he already knew that the air fryer could cook steak.
Unbeknownst to me, there is a picture of a steak with cooking times right on the side of my air fryer. I guess I’m not that observant. Either way, I was determined to make steak in my air fryer and I went out and bought a ribeye that very same day.
I followed the directions as indicated on my air fryer and I was amazed at how simple and easy it was to make a beautiful steak in the air fryer. I actually felt kind of bad because it really takes no skill at all to create the perfect steak when it’s cooked in the air fryer. It’s now my go to way to prepare 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.
Many people will read this and wonder why even bother making a steak in the air fryer. Yes, steaks on the grill are amazing and a cast iron steak is also a good alternative but there are many reasons why some may choose to cook steak in an air fryer.
- Your steak gets cooked perfectly every time. Since the air fryer is operated in a small space with a fan, the heat temperature is consistent. This means everytime you decide to make a steak, it will be cooked at the perfect temperature and come out just the way you want it so long as you follow your time settings.
- It’s a hands off dinner. I literally season my steaks, place them in the air fryer, and flip when my halfway timer goes off. There is no need for me to watch it. This comes in handy when I’m going back and forth between my kitchen and my dining room to help my daughter with her homework.
- The stove/grill isn’t always available. My husband does all the grilling in our house and his steaks are AMAZING but it’s not always grill weather. Also, my stove top steaks always get finished in the oven, which can make the house hot. With the air fryer, everything gets done in the air fryer basket and you don’t have to worry about the whole house getting hot.
The beauty about air fryer steak is that you can make different cuts in the air fryer. I’ve made delicious filet mignon, skirt steak, and ribeye. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on thickness of steak and doneness preference.
If you’re looking for a place to get awesome steaks and other meats, try Butcher Box. They are a meat delivery service specializing in grass fed and organic meats. You can check out my unboxing of my first meat order on Facebook and my 9 month review of ButcherBox.
Perfect Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz Ribeye steak
- salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
- olive oil*
Garlic Butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing butter, parsley garlic, worcestershire sauce, and 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. Rub a little bit of olive oil on both side of the steak and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Grease your Air Fryer basket by rubbing a little bit of oil on the basket. Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.* Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter.
Video
Notes
- 125°F for rare
- 135°F for medium rare
- 145°F for medium
- 150°F for medium well
Equipment for the Perfect Air Fryer Steak
- Calibrated Instant Read Thermometer (Best on the market to read a temperature in 2-3 seconds)
- Air Fryer
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
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Step by Step Photos of Air Fryer Steak and Garlic Herb Butter
-
- Prepare garlic butter.
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- Roll butter into a log.
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- Season steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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- Preheat Air Fryer. Mine is preheated once the orange light goes off.
-
- Ready!
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- Place steaks in oiled Air Fryer basket. Cook steaks for 1-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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- My steaks after 6 minutes on one side.
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- My steaks after 12 minutes, flipped halfway. Allow steaks to rest for 5 minutes and top with garlic butter.
Pin Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter for Later
Teresa says
Hello Mrs. Forklife I actually tried this recipe tonight my husband was in the mood for steak. Had a couple of ribeye’s on hand , I on the other hand stay away from red meat . It turned out ok but maybe it’s the air fryers not sure I gave it more seasoning but after 15 minutes it was still very red inside he likes it medium well I use the NUWAVE XL , have had a lot of success with other dishes but just not with steak! Ended up in the microwave just to get it right! Thanks though for the garlic butter info!
May says
Hi! The steaks look delicious! What size (how many qt capacity) is the one you used for the steaks?
Thanks
Tanya says
Hi May, I used a 3.2 qt Farberware.
May says
Thank you! I am surprised that they fit in a 3.2 qt size air fryer. I am glad I asked, i was going to get a 5.5 thinking i needed a big air fryer for 2 steaks.
Thank you again!
Jackie says
Rib eye steak was one of the first things I made with the Air Fryer using your recipe. Came out great and the garlic butter was “the icing on the cake”. Also tried your pork chops & chicken wings. Delish!
Thanks for sharing
B. Carr says
This was perfect for my single meal. I cooked at 400 for 3-4 per side for medium. The Rib steak was more tender and juicy than in the pan!! Awesome! Thank you!
Cheryl Krucenski says
Does unsalted butter really matter? All I have is salted.
Tanya says
Hi Cheryl, I actually never use salted butter because I like to control the amount of salt added. You can use salted butter but I wouldn’t add the extra salt indicated in the recipe.
CONNIE l kenealy says
You always mention a video but i don’t see any video for the stake so just were is the video>
Tanya says
Hi Connie, I don’t have a long version of the steak video but there should be a quick 1 minute video on this page.
Wanda Daniel says
I made this last night and my steak was delicious! I do like my steak seared on the flame outside but, like you said, the weather was awful and the grill was not an option. Thank you for the recipe!
Tanya says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe. It is starting to get cold again which means my Air Fryer will get even more use when it comes to steak 🙂
Margaret Lorenzon says
Best steak – juicy and tender! Added extra garlic to butter. Definitely will use this recipe again!
Tanya says
Yay! So happy you liked it 🙂
Cheryl says
The only problem I have with Air Fryers is what temperature to use for different meats, etc. The temperatures/times that come with the unit aren’t usually correct and have to be adjusted. A person can waste food if using for the first time and having to adjust temperatures
KK says
No matter what you are cooking, it’s a balance between temp & cooking time,
with experience, you will be able to cook confidently!
Some of the air-fryers DO NOT require pre-heating, mine does not! Good Luck!
Kerry says
After you pre heat do you keep temp at 400 of find it down ?
Tanya says
I keep it at 400
Amy Smedley says
July 9, 2019 – Did this tonight for dinner. Came out PERFECTLY with 5min at end. I like mine less done.
Emma says
So I made sirloin in my air fry which is not like yours. Every time I make steak it is tough. IDK what am doing wronh
Tanya says
Hi Emma, It may just be the kind of steak. You’ll probably need to marinate the sirloin first. I use top sirloin in my Air Fryer Fajita recipe and I slice it and marinate it before cooking. It’s always tender. If you were to try steaks again, I’d give ribeye a try. Those always come out great for me.
Stacie says
Worked like a charm!! Thank you for posting and looooooove the garlic butter on top!!
Pablo says
I’m sorry but this is not what I hoped for. I followed the steps exactly as you said and the steak came out smelling off, the texture was mushy – almost like a McDonald’s beef patty. The taste was nothing like a steak that you would normally grill or skillet/oven cook. The top layer of the meat was actually “flaking.” You also don’t get that burnt, crispy top layer as you would normally get when grilling your meat. Don’t let it fool you.
I don’t know what is, perhaps I did something wrong, but after my experience, I can tell you that air fryers are not for cooking a steak!
I don’t get the hype about air fryers. The marketing materials for the scores of companies that make these hot-air blowers will tell you that they are a great way to cook that cuts down on fat. But if people were just educated on how to fry, grill and oven things properly they wouldn’t have the need for an air fryer.
Tanya says
Hi Pablo, What kind of steak did you use? I’ve cooked all kinds of steak in my Air Fryer and have never had an off smelling or mushy steak. It sounds more like the quality of the meat rather than the air fryer if it smelled off or came out mushy. The steak should be tender if anything. If it was overcooked, it would be dry or hard. I’m a huge fan of air frying. I own a few and recommend them for multiple reasons. Fact is, the grill isn’t always available, especially in freezing cold temperatures or small living spaces like apartments. The Air Fryer is just an alternative way to cook your food and get a similar result to deep frying or grilling. I think it’s great that people have options. However, I understand not everyone will fall in love with theirs lol.
Emma says
I LOVE my air fryer too
Sherri says
I LOVE my air fryer perfect for cooking for one person. Can’t please everyone!!!!
Lindsay says
Why did you buy one???
James says
Any cook time specifications for 16oz steak?
Lorraine says
Why do you have to flip the steak if the air fryer is like a clean convection oven
Elle says
The heat source is at the top. Even with air blowing, for the most even cooking, you’d want to flip it