This air fryer steak is the secret to perfectly cooked, tender and juicy steaks every single time. Let me show you exactly how easy and quick it is to cook steak in the air fryer! Serve with air fried or oven-baked chips and a homemade chimichurri and you have the easiest dinner with minimal effort.
I’m going to be real here, I was quite hesitant that cooking a steak in the air fryer would actually result in something delicious that would rival cooking in a frying pan. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some pros and cons to both methods, but if you’re looking for a straightforward, no fuss way of getting a perfectly cooked steak, then you just have to give this method a try.
When cooking steak in the air fryer, you do lose some of the crust that you get in a pan, as the fat doesn’t really have the time or the heat to render down. BUT the pros are that it’s the only time I’ve ever been able to get perfectly cooked steak completely from edge to edge.
The evenness of cooking is amazing, and this allows you to cook the most tender and delicious steak without much effort. I mean, just like when cooking air fryer pork chops or air fryer lamb chops, this air fryer steak is a set and forget situation. You just put it in, set a timer and you are free to walk away and tend to your sides without risk of ruining dinner.
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Key Ingredients
This is a staple recipe, showing you just how easy it is to cook steak in the air fryer, so really you don’t need more than a nice piece of steak to get started.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Steak – I like using scotch fillet, which is a rib-eye steak just with the bone removed. It’s full of flavour and stays juicy when air frying thanks to the fat content. You can use a rib-eye if you prefer though.
- Olive oil – helps enhance browning and prevents sticking.
- Salt and pepper – a good amount of seasoning helps flavour the steak. Make sure to season both before cooking and after as well.
Equipment and Tools
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Air fryer – It’s no surprise you’ll need an air fryer to make this recipe. This is the one I have which I love and use a lot! It is perfect for 2 people, but if you’re feeding a family look for an XL or XXL size.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This recipe is more of a how to guide rather than a recipe, as it really is so simple to cook steak in the air fryer.
Like cooking any steak, I recommend taking the steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This step helps ensure the steaks cook evenly.
If your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to 200°C (400°F) and let it heat up. This is going to help create a little bit of a crust on the steak to try and replicate what you’d get from a hot pan.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels, then rub them with olive oil. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
Place the steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 4-minute mark. Cooking times will vary based on steak thickness and your air fryer model.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium rare, remove from the air fryer at 52°C (125°F) as the temperature will rise while resting to 54–57°C (130–135°F).
Transfer them to a plate and allow them to rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
🤓Don’t skip the resting time! Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping your steak juicy and flavourful. Cutting into it too soon can cause the juices to escape, leaving you with a drier steak.
How to serve air fryer steak
Steak is a super versatile meat that you can add as a protein source to any number of meals. Here are some options for serving;
- Chimichurri (as pictured)
- Air fryer potato chips (fries) – use the recipe from my burger bowls
- Salt and vinegar smashed potatoes
- Mashed potatoes and steamed green vegetables
- Air fryer potatoes
- Roasted vegetable salad or dairy free potato salad
- Creamy cauliflower bake
- Oven-baked potato wedges
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Slice and serve in tacos or wraps with avocado and other salad
Recipe FAQs
I prefer to use scotch fillet, which is also known as a rib-eye but with the bone removed. It’s a great cut to use due to its fat content, which helps prevent dryness.
Other options include porterhouse (also known as sirloin), or eye fillet (filet mignon) which are both a leaner option with good flavour, however they are more prone to overcooking and becoming dry so keep an eye on the internal temps.
Avoid using cuts like flank, skirt, or hanger steak as these are best cooked quickly on a grill or seared in a pan, as they can become chewy in the air fryer. Also avoid chuck or round steak as these tougher cuts need slow cooking.
Yes, but this will depend on the size of your air fryer as it’s important not to overcrowd the basket. There should be space around each steak for proper air circulation. If needed, cook in batches.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More air fryer dinner recipes:
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Roast Pork
Air Fryer Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized scotch fillet steaks approx 250–350 grams each
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take the steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- If your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to 200°C (400°F) and let it heat up.
- Pat the steaks dry with paper towels, then rub them with olive oil. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 4-minute mark. Cooking times will vary based on steak thickness and your air fryer model.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium rare, remove from the air fryer at 52°C (125°F) as the temperature will rise while resting to 54–57°C (130–135°F).
- Transfer them to a plate and allow them to rest for 10–15 minutes. Serve with your favourite vegetables or sides.
Notes
- Rare: 49–52°C (120–125°F)
- Medium-rare: 54–57°C (130–135°F)
- Medium: 60–63°C (140–145°F)
- Well-done: 68–74°C (155–165°F)
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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