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
I learned some tips for making perfect air fryer steaks through trial and error. I used lean sirloin, but these tips work for any type of steak. Make sure the steaks are at least 1 inch thick, as thinner ones cook too quickly and don’t brown well. Rubbing a little oil on the steaks helps them brown better. Adding a dry rub improves the color, especially on leaner cuts like sirloin. We usually serve the steak with baked, smashed, or mashed potatoes and a vegetable like roasted green beans or asparagus. You can find more air fryer recipes on my site.
Tips and Variations for Perfect Steak in the Air Fryer:
- Steak Type: I used lean sirloin for this recipe. However, this method works for any thick steak.
- Thickness Matters: Use steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too quickly and don’t brown properly.
- Room Temperature: Let your steaks warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to get the best results.
- Dry Steaks: Pat steaks and pork chops dry with paper towels. This helps prevent steaming and promotes browning.
- Better Browning: Spritz steaks, chops, and vegetables with a little oil to improve browning.
- Dry Rub for Leaner Steaks: Add a dry rub to enhance the color of leaner steaks. For this recipe, I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Ensure steaks have enough airflow around them for optimal browning.
- Rest: After cooking, remove the steaks and let them rest on a plate, loosely covered with foil. This prevents them from continuing to cook in the air fryer basket.
How long do steaks take in the air fryer?
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 1/2 lbs 4 sirloin steaks, 1 inch thick
- 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.
Notes
- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks, cook in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes. Flip the steak at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks, cook in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes. Flip the steak at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: Change the cooking time for thicker or thinner steaks.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat probe to test your steaks. Remove them five degrees before your desired doneness. The temperature will rise as the meat rests.
Medium-Rare: 135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium Well: 155°F
Well: 160°F
- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks, cook in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes. Flip the steak at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks, cook in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes. Flip the steak at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: Adjust the cooking time for thicker or thinner steaks.
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