You know that insta-envy moment when your friend posts a perfectly seared steak dripping with juice? Yeah, you can top that — with your air fryer. Introducing air fryer steak, the recipe that’s about to ruin your ability to blame “oven too slow” again. You’ve got 15 minutes? You’ve got dinner.
Why this recipe is awesome
Let’s be honest: steak night sounds fancy but prepping, timing, flipping, resting—it’s a mood killer. The air fryer? It’s your secret weapon. You get a crispy crust, perfect medium-rare inside, and no pan-spatter cleanup. Plus, you’ll look like a pro to anyone peeking in. Guest-impress level: unlocked.
Ingredients
- 2 ribeye or strip steaks, 1–1.5″ thick (about 10–12 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Optional: a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes
Key substitutions:
- No olive oil? Use ghee or melted butter.
- Diners block salt? Use kosher or sea salt instead.
Tools & kitchen gadgets used
- Air fryer (the star of the show)
- Instant-read meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Cutting board
- Kitchen timer
- Amazon affiliate picks: silicone tongs, digital thermometer, air-fryer liner
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F — it warms up fast, go brew a drink.
- Pat steaks dry, drizzle oil, and rub on salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place steaks in basket, spaced apart so air can crisp every inch.
- Cook for 6 minutes, flip with tongs (yes, theatrics count).
- Air fry another 4–6 minutes for medium-rare—use a thermometer aiming for ~130°F.
- Rest 5 minutes under foil so juices chill and distribute.
- Slice & serve right away so no one steals your glory.
Calories & Nutritional Info
- Per steak (approx. 6 oz cooked): ~430 kcal
- Protein: ~40 g
- Fat: ~30 g (mostly from steak)
- Carbs: 0 g
- Note: Great keto and high-protein option, especially when paired with greens or air-fried veggies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping preheat → rubbery steak, not sexy crisp.
- Overcrowding basket → uneven cooking, sad steak.
- No thermometer → guessing = overcooked.
- Not resting → sauce-less cut, crying inside.
Variations & Customizations
- Smoky BBQ twist: use smoked paprika + chili flakes, finish with BBQ butter
- Herb-butter topper: after cooking, melt garlic-parsley butter over steak
- Spicy Cajun style: coat with Cajun seasoning instead of basic rub
- Keto garlic parmesan: after cooking, sprinkle grated parmesan
- Asian-style: swap rub for sesame oil and 1 tsp soy sauce, garnish with scallions
FAQ Section
1. Can you cook steak in air fryer?
Absolutely—fast, crispy, and consistent results.
2. What cut works best?
Ribeye or strip steaks are ideal. Tenderloin works but cooks faster.
3. How do I know it’s done?
Use an instant-read thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F medium.
4. Do I need to flip it?
Yes—halfway ensures even crisp and good grill marks.
5. Can I marinate instead?
Totally. Just pat dry before cooking to prevent excess smoke.
6. How long does cooking take?
Approximately 10–12 minutes total, plus a 5-minute rest.
7. Can I cook frozen steaks?
Not recommended—you’ll end up gray and dry. Thaw first.
8. Is air fryer steak healthy?
Compared to pan-frying in tons of oil, yes! Drips out and gives flavor.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: air fryer steak that delivers restaurant vibes with zero chef stress. It’s fast, juicy, and foolproof. Try it tonight—and get ready for an avalanche of “Wow, did you cook that?” comments. TBH, once you go air-fried, you’ll never oven-roast again. 💯