Bring the bistro experience home with Air Fryer Steak! Seared outside, juicy inside, and fast, air fried steak is astonishingly easy and tastes phenomenal. It changed the way we cook steak at home!
This recipe is sponsored by ButcherBox.
We spent a few weeks in France earlier this month, a country I love and visit often.
One dish I make a point to order every time is steak frites (steak and fries).
It is a French classic you’ll find on just about any bistro menu.
On the “frites” side of the equation, we’ve previously discussed the magic of Air Fryer French Fries (soooo crispy).
Now, we’re completing our plat with air fryer steak.
- High heat is the best for cooking steak, because the less time it spends cooking, the more tender it will be. That makes the air fryer GREAT for cooking steak.
- The air fryer cooks food by blowing intensely hot air down and around it—an ideal way to make juicy, tender steak that will have your family oohing and ahhing.
As the French will be the first to tell you, the key to a great-tasting steak is the steak’s quality (and not overcooking it, but we’ll get to that).
For the last several months, we’ve been getting our meat from ButcherBox, a meat delivery service that delivers high-quality, sustainable, and humanely-raised beef, chicken, pork, and s right to our door.
It’s convenient, there’s zero commitment (ship what you want when you want it), and I feel good knowing I am putting my money towards farmers and fishermen who are using sustainable practices.
And OH YEAH. This meat tastes fantastic.
I cooked the exact same Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe we’ve been eating regularly, with the only difference being the use of ButcherBox chicken, versus the grocery store chicken. Without my prompting him, Ben asked what it taste “way better this time.”
The meat you use makes a difference.
- For a limited time, ButcherBox is offering a FREE bonus grilling bundle for all first-time subscribers.
- Translation: order your first delivery and receive ribeye steaks, chicken drumsticks, and burgers at no additional fee. Whoo-hoo!
I put the bonus ribeyes to immediate use cooking today’s air fryer steak.
It, along with a batch of Baked French Fries and a pat of melting garlic herb butter on top, transported us right back to France!
How to Cook Air Fryer Steak
The intensity of the air fryer makes it ideal for cooking steaks.
It cooks the meat quickly and evenly, before it dries out.
How long to cook steak in the air fryer will vary based upon the thickness of your steak and how done you would like it to be.
- Air fryer steak medium-rare needs 6 to 8 minutes for 1-inch steaks.
- If your steak is thicker or thinner, add or subtract time accordingly. For example, a ¾-inch thick ribeye I air fried was medium-rare in 4 minutes. It’s FAST!
Air Fryer Steak Temps and Times
Below are steak temperatures and air fryer cook times at 400 degrees F.
IMPORTANT: Remove the steak 5 degrees earlier than what is listed below, as the steak’s temperature will rise as it rests.
- Rare: 125 degrees F – 4 to 6 minutes
- Medium-Rare: 135 degrees F – 6 to 8 minutes
- Medium: 145 degrees F – 8 to 10 minutes
- Medium-Well: 155 degrees F – 10 to 12 minutes (please don’t do this)
- Well Done: 160 degrees F – 12 to 14 minutes (definitely don’t do this)
Fun fact: many French bistros will not cook a steak past medium-rare.
They feel strongly that anything past medium-rare is not how steak should be served, nor is it the taste they want their cooking to reflect.
Learn from their wisdom. Check your meat early and DO NOT overcook your steak!
The Ingredients
- Steak. This air fryer steak is perfect! It’s tender, juicy, and so flavorful. Steak is also an excellent source of protein, iron, and zinc.
- Olive Oil. A little is all you need to ensure the steak develops a nice crust-like exterior.
- Salt + Pepper. All a good steak needs to taste its best.
- Herb Butter. I cannot overstate how DELISH this homemade herb butter is! While it’s a completely optional addition, I highly recommend giving it a try. It will take your steaks to the next level!
The Directions
- Let the steaks come to room temperature, then pat dry. Brush both sides with oil, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Air fry steaks at 400 degrees F, until you reach your desired doneness. For medium-rare, start checking at 5 to 6 minutes.
- Flip the steaks halfway through cooking. Let the steaks rest on a plate.
- Prepare the herb butter (if using). Top the steak with the butter and ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftover steak in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in a skillet. It can also be reheated in the microwave in a pinch.
- To Freeze. Freeze steak in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Up to 1 day in advance, prepare the herb butter as directed. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it for your steaks.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak
Bon appetit!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like to slice your steak before serving (it makes for a beautiful presentation), make sure you let it rest for at least 10 minutes first. Then, cut against the grain at a slight angle for juicy, tender slices.
FOR THE STEAK:
- 2 1-inch thick ribeye, sirloin, or NY strip steaks about 2 pounds
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt*
- 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly cracked or ground black pepper*
FOR THE HERB BUTTER (OPTIONAL):
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened slightly
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot or chives
- 1 small clove garlic minced or grated
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or red wine vinegar
- Chopped fresh herbs: thyme, tarragon, parsley…whatever you love or have on hand (a pinch of thyme is my favorite)
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30 minutes prior to cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature (this is critical for properly cooked steak).
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Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
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Immediately before cooking, pat the steaks dry. Brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper (or steak seasoning of choice).
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For medium-rare, air fry the steaks for 6 to 8 (for 1-inch steaks) until the steak reaches 130 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. For medium, air fry 10 to 12 minutes (to 140 degrees F).
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Flip the steaks once halfway through. If your steaks are thicker than 1-inch, add an additional 1 to 3 minutes; if they are thinner, start checking as early as 4 minutes just to be safe. Every air fryer model is different and they cook food fast, so check early to ensure you do not overcook your steak). Transfer the steak to a plate, loosely cover, and let rest at least 10 minutes.
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While the steak is cooking, prepare the herb butter: in a small bowl, mash together the butter, shallot, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and herbs. After the steak has rested, top with butter just before serving.
- Below are steak temperatures. Remove 5 degrees early, as the temperature will rise as it rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well Done: 160°F
- *You also can swap the salt and pepper for steak seasoning, such as Montreal steak seasoning, or your favorite blend. Check your seasoning package for suggested quantities, as each is different.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate steak in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F. It can also be reheated in the microwave in a pinch.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze steak in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving: 1(of 2), without butterCalories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 52gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 138mgPotassium: 833mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 7IUCalcium: 59mgIron: 4mg
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I am sharing this post in partnership with ButcherBox. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make it possible for me to continue to create quality content for you!