Air Fryer Steak hits that perfect spot between weeknight fast and special-occasion tender. It sears beautifully, cooks in under 15 minutes, and comes out juicy every time.
I tested this back in spring 2019 when I was comparing cooking methods for a Texas barbecue story I couldn’t believe how the air fryer locked in moisture while giving that crispy edge my gas grill usually delivers. After tweaking temperatures across a dozen ribeyes and sirloins, I found the sweet spot that gives you steakhouse results without firing up the grill or heating the whole kitchen.
Yesica Andrews
Air Fryer Steak Recipe: Easy Perfect Results Every Time
This Air Fryer Steak recipe is a quick and simple way to enjoy tender, juicy steak cooked to perfection every time. With just a few ingredients and a homemade garlic butter, it’s a flavorful main course that is ready in under 20 minutes.
Take the steaks out of the fridge and allow them to warm up at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. Trim off any excess fat if you like.
Heat your air fryer to 400°F and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes to get nice and hot.
Coat the steaks evenly with canola oil and sprinkle salt and pepper all over.
Place the steaks carefully in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 14 minutes depending on your preferred doneness: 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, or 14 minutes for medium-well.
While the steaks cook, combine the softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley to make the garlic butter.
Once cooked, take the steaks out and rest them for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve topped with the prepared garlic butter.
Notes
For best results, make sure to bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and prevents burning. Remove steaks promptly when done to avoid overcooking from residual heat. Let resting the steak before slicing helps redistribute juices for better flavor and moisture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the air fryer, oven, or skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Steak
Here’s what makes this method so reliable: you get a beautiful sear on the outside and a perfectly pink center without wrestling with a cast-iron skillet or heating up the whole house. The air fryer’s circulating heat does all the work.
Fast and foolproof: From fridge to table in 17 minutes, with just five ingredients.
Juicy every time: The high heat locks in moisture while creating that crispy, caramelized crust.
Minimal cleanup: No splattering grease or multiple pans to scrub.
Garlic butter finish: That little pat of homemade garlic butter melts right into the warm steak and makes it feel restaurant-fancy.
Key Ingredients & What They Do
This recipe keeps it simple so the beef can shine. You’ll use striploin steaks about an inch thickthey’re tender, well-marbled, and cook evenly in the air fryer. The canola oil helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning, while salt and pepper bring out the natural flavor.
The optional garlic buttermade with salted butter, fresh garlic, and parsleyadds richness without overpowering the steak. If you skip it, the steak is still delicious on its own. Pro Tip: Let your butter sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes so it’s easy to stir together with the garlic and parsley.
How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Start by setting your steaks on the counter for 10 to 15 minutesthis brings them to room temperature so they cook more evenly. While they rest, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 to 10 minutes. A hot basket means instant searing.
Rub each steak lightly with canola oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the preheated basket and cook for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on how you like your steak done. Meanwhile, mix together your garlic butter. Once the steaks are finished, transfer them to a plate and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Top with a spoonful of garlic butter and serve.
Doneness
Cook Time
Internal Temp
Medium-Rare
10 minutes
130–135°F
Medium
12 minutes
135–145°F
Medium-Well
14 minutes
145–155°F
Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
Always preheat your air fryerit’s the secret to that steakhouse crust. If you skip this step, the outside can overcook before the inside reaches your target temperature. Remove the steak from the basket as soon as it’s done so residual heat doesn’t push it past your preferred doneness.
Resting the meat is just as important as cooking it. Those 5 to 10 minutes let the juices redistribute, so every slice stays tender and moist. If you’re nervous about timing, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperatureit’s the most reliable way to nail your preferred doneness.
Simple Swaps & Tweaks
You can easily swap striploin for ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignonjust keep the thickness around one inch so the cook times stay accurate. If you don’t have canola oil, olive oil or avocado oil work just as well. For a dairy-free version, skip the garlic butter or use ghee.
Ingredient
Swap
Striploin steaks
Ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon (1″ thick)
Canola oil
Olive oil or avocado oil
Salted butter
Ghee or dairy-free butter
Fresh parsley
Chives or dried parsley (use half as much)
How to Serve & Store
This steak pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. You can also slice it thin and toss it into grain bowls or wraps for easy weeknight lunches. The garlic butter is fantastic drizzled over everything on the plate.
Store leftover cooked steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then warm gently in the oven, on the stovetop, or back in the air fryer until heated through. Note: Reheated steak can cook a bit more, so aim for lower heat and shorter times to keep it tender.
Craving delicious recipes and fresh cooking inspo? Follow me on Pinterest!
FAQs ( Air Fryer Steak )
What temperature should I cook steak at?
Set your air fryer to 400°F for the best results. This temperature creates a beautiful sear on the outside while keeping the inside tender. Cooking time varies based on thickness and desired doneness.
How long do I cook a 1-inch thick steak?
For a 1-inch thick steak, cook for 8-10 minutes for medium-rare, flipping halfway through. Add 2-3 minutes for medium or subtract 1-2 minutes for rare. Always use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for accuracy.
Should I preheat my air fryer first?
Yes, preheating for 3-5 minutes ensures even cooking and better searing. This step helps create that perfect crust we all love. Most air fryers heat up quickly, so it won’t add much time to your cooking process.
Do I need to flip the steak during cooking?
Yes, flip your steak once halfway through the cooking time for even browning on both sides. This ensures consistent cooking and helps develop a nice crust. Use tongs to avoid piercing the meat and losing juices.
How do I know when my steak is done?
Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate results. Medium-rare is 130-135°F, medium is 135-145°F, and well-done is 145°F and above. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
You’ll love how this air fryer steak comes out tender every timejuicy inside, beautifully browned outside, in about 15 minutes flat. It’s the kind of dinner that feels fancy but keeps cleanup simple. The sizzle and aroma? Just right.
A trick I learned from Texas ranch cooking: always rest your steak after it’s doneit makes all the difference. Try swapping the parsley for fresh rosemary or thyme if that’s what you have. Leftovers reheat gently in the air fryer at 300°F for about 3 minutesstill tender, still delicious.
Did you grow up grilling steaks on Friday nights, or is this your first time making one at home? I’d love to see how yours turns outtag me or leave a comment. Save this recipe for the next time you want something special without the fuss. Happy cooking, friend.
