This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Air Fryer Steak is the perfect easy weeknight dinner! It’s seasoned to perfection, then air fried until tender and juicy with the perfect crispy exterior.
Easy Air Fryer Steak Recipe
Say hello to the easiest, most fool-proof way to make steak! This Air Fryer Steak is ready in just a few minutes, requires just a couple of simple ingredients, and results in ultra tender, juicy steak with the perfect crust.
No searing, then cooking. No adjusting the temperature. Making steak in the air fryer makes your steak dinner so darn easy!
What You’ll Need
- Steak: Look for a steak that is about 1-inch thick. Any cut of steak will work.
- Seasonings: You can keep the seasonings simple with a little bit of salt and pepper or spice things up with your favorite steak seasoning.
- Softened Butter: For your compound butter. For garnish and serving! Optional but worth it!
- Garlic: For your compound butter.
- Herbs: Like parsley, thyme, rosemary, etc. For your compound butter. For garnish and serving! Optional but worth it!
The Steak
We choose a boneless rib-eye, but this method could also work with a NY strip steak, a filet mignon, etc., so long as the cut is about 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick. If it’s thinner than it will cook faster.
Buy the best steak you can afford for this one, as it’s the star of the show. It will be so much cheaper than anything you’ll find at a steakhouse to cook this for yourself at home, so if possible spend the extra few dollars to get a grass-fed rib-eye if possible.
How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
Making steak in the air fryer really is so simple! This easy dinner is on the table in just a few short minutes!
- Season: Rub the steak with a little bit of oil, then coat thoroughly with the steak seasoning of your choice.
- Air fry: Air fry at 400ºF until cooked to your liking.
- Rest: Finish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then rest for 5 minutes, slice, and serve.
What Temperature to Cook Steak To
That depends on the size and thickness of the steak you use. Here are my estimates for a 1-inch steak. If you’re cooking with thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly! To make sure your steak is cooked just right, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Here’s a quick temperature guide!
- Rare: Cook the steaks for 6 minutes, flipping after 3 minutes. Look for a temperature of 125ºF.
- Medium-Rare: Cook the steaks for 8 minutes, flipping after 4 minutes. Look for a temperature of 135ºF.
- Medium: Cook the steaks for 10 minutes, flipping after 5 minutes. Look for a temperature of 145ºF.
- Medium-Well: Cook the steaks for 12 minutes, flipping after 6 minutes. Look for a temperature of 155ºF.
- Well: Cook the steaks for 16 minutes, flipping after 8 minutes. Look for a temperature of 160ºF.
Keep in mind as you near the end of this list, the steak is at a very high risk of drying out. I recommend medium-rare or medium!
NOTE: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than what is listed since the steak’s temperature will rise as it rests, and you want it to rest!
Do You Need to Flip Steak in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time helps it cook evenly and ensures that you get that perfect crust all the way around.
Tips and Notes
- Bring the steak to room temperature. I recommend setting the steak out on the counter roughly 30 minutes before cooking. Room temperature steak cooks more evenly. This step isn’t make or break, but as much as possible take the chill off the meat so there is less shock when the meat is cooked. It will result in a more tender steak, but certainly it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cook the steak if you aren’t able to do this step.
- Pat the steak dry. Before seasoning and cooking, gently pat the outside of the steak dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the steak crisp up in the air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer. It should be nice and hot before you add the steak so it cooks just right!
- Check the temperature. Since the cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your steak, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. That way there’s no guessing! We so often talk about taking a temperature here at Lexi’s Clean Kitchen and it’s because it’s such an easy tool to make you a better cook. Probe the meat with an instant read thermometer towards the end of cooking to make sure it’s at the exact temperature you want it to be.
- Leave some space Avoid overcrowding the air fryer, so don’t have your steaks so big they are touching. That way the air can circulate evenly around your steaks.
- Let it rest. Before you serve the steak, tent it with foil to keep the heat in and let it rest for 5 minutes. This gives the flavor and moisture a little bit of time to settle back into the meat.
Make a Quick Compound Butter!
You don’t have to, but trust me, it will elevate your steak and takes a quick minute to make.
What is compound butter?
Compound butter is butter that has been softened and is mixed herbs, spices, and sometimes a sweetener added to it. You’re left with a creamy spread that’s fabulous on your steak!
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer steak recipe is so easy that you’ll be plenty motivated to whip up a couple of simple side dishes! Here are a few ideas:
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Oven-Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Garlicky Blistered Green Beans
- Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
How to Store
Leftover cooked steak will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
You can reheat in the microwave, oven, or back in the air fryer!
How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer
To reheat leftovers in the air fryer, thaw it overnight in the fridge if frozen, then cook at 350ºF until heated through.
More Air Fryer Favorites
Looking for more delicious recipes to make in your air fryer? Here are a few of my favorites!
Watch The Video:
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 2 1- inch thick steaks or 4 smaller size steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Compound Butter
- 2 tablespoons softened salted butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh herbs of choice parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary
Instructions
- Remove steaks and let come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
- Pat dry, brush with olive oil, and generously season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer so the basket is hot.
- Add your steaks and air fryer on 400ºF for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through (this is for a 1-inch steak, if smaller it will cook quicker). See temperature chart below as time may vary with air fryer models and thickness of your steaks. Note: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than what is listed since the steak’s temperature will rise as it rests, and you want it to rest!
- While cooking, mix softened butter with garlic and herbs. Set aside.
- Once steak is done, let it rest for 5-10 minutes then top with butter and slice.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Rare: Cook the steaks for 6 minutes, flipping after 3 minutes. Look for a temperature of 125ºF.
- Medium-Rare: Cook the steaks for 8 minutes, flipping after 4 minutes. Look for a temperature of 135ºF.
- Medium: Cook the steaks for 10 minutes, flipping after 5 minutes. Look for a temperature of 145ºF.
- Medium-Well: Cook the steaks for 12 minutes, flipping after 6 minutes. Look for a temperature of 155ºF.
- Well: Cook the steaks for 16 minutes, flipping after 8 minutes. Look for a temperature of 160ºF.
