The air fryer is practically magical for so many things including steak!

Air Fryer steaks are so easy and with just a bit of oil, butter and seasoning, they come out very tender and juicy!

Simply season, place in the basket and let the air fryer do the work. Top with a pat of steak butter or garlic butter for the perfect bite!

My air fryer is my most used appliance these days. It cooks things quickly, evenly, and nice and crisp without heaps of oil. Cooking a steak in the air fryer is easy and comes out tender and juicy!

A Perfect Steak Every Time!

Air fryers just might be the best kitchen appliance ever invented (I have this one here)! Everything is so much easier it’s prepared in an air fryer! Make fried food without the fat in about half of the time in the oven without sacrificing flavor!

Air fryers work by evenly circulating heat all around the steaks. With just a few basic seasonings, air fryer steaks are practically foolproof! Even inexpensive cuts of meat become mouthwatering and tender! When the outdoor grill isn’t available, air frying steak is the way to get great results every time.

seasoned raw steak on a plate

Ingredients/Variations

The best air fryer steak recipe is easy and truly fuss-free. We keep it simple with a bit of oil and melted butter for flavor. Add in a quick sprinkle of steak seasonings and place in the air fryer basket. That’s all there is to it!

Steaks for Air Frying

While nothing quite compares to a perfectly grilled steak, an air fryer is a simple alternative.

Various cuts of steak will cook well in the air fryer (ribeye, sirloin, or  New York) but the real key is making sure you have a thicker steak (at least 3/4″ but I prefer 1″). Thinner steaks don’t get the nice crisp on the outside without overcooking the inside.

If you’d like, you can marinate steaks by placing them in a zippered bag or an airtight container with some Italian seasoning, olive oil and a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. In about an hour or two, the steaks will be tenderized and ready to cook!

raw steaks in an air fryer basket

How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer

Fry steaks with an air fryer, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Let the steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer.
  2. Oil and season them according to the recipe below
  3. Air fry between 8 and 12 minutes (per recipe below).

How Long to Air Fry Steaks

Refer to your owner’s guide for precise cooking information that goes with the appliance. But here’s a general guideline for a 1″ steak. (Thinner steaks need less time, thicker will need more).

  • For rare steaks, cook about 6 to 8 minutes
  • Medium steaks should be cooked for about 8 to 10 minutes
  • Well-done steaks take a good 12 to 15 minutes.

Ultimately, the best way to know how your steak is cooked is with a meat thermometer. They’re fairly inexpensive (as low as $10) and will ensure that all of your meats are cooked to perfection, a worthwhile investment!

The FDA recommends a minimum temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest. I take the steak out about 5° before it reaches my desired temperature.

Rare: 125°F
Medium-Rare: 135°F
Medium: 145°F
Medium Well: 155°F
Well: 160°F

cooked steaks in an air fryer basket

Leftovers

Leftover air fryer steak can be reheated in the air fryer again. Just brush on a little melted butter to make it juicy again. Reheat, re-season, and serve! Or, slice it thin and add it to a beef stir fry or even serve as a cheesesteak for a whole new meal!

Tips for Perfect Steak Every Time

  • Preheat the air fryer and use room temp steaks for the best results!
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the air can circulate evenly around the steaks.
  • Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the basket as the heat from the basket will continue cooking it.
  • Allowing the steaks to rest after cooking helps seal in the juices before serving.

sliced air fryer steak on a wood board

More Air Fryer Favorites

Did you try these Air Fryer Steaks? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
cooked air fryer steaks on a wood board with butter
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Air Fryer Steak

Steak cooked in the air fryer is quick, easy, and comes out perfectly juicy every time!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 2 steaks
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

a black air fryer
Air Fryer
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Ingredients  

  • 2 steaks 1" thick , ribeye, sirloin or striploin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter melted
  • steak seasoning to taste
  • 2 tablespoons steak butter or garlic herb butter, optional, below

Instructions 

  • Remove steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  • Rub the steaks with olive oil and melted butter. Generously season on each side.
  • Add the steaks to the air fryer basket and cook 8-12 minutes (flipping after 4 minutes) or until steaks reach desired doneness.
  • Remove steaks from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. Rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
  • Top with additional butter if desired and serve.

Notes

Air Fryers can vary, cook times are approximate. I highly suggest a meat thermometer (until you know your Air Fryer) to ensure steaks don't overcook. If your steak is cold from the fridge, it will need more time.
Steaks that are a minimum of 3/4" thick (or thicker) cook best in the air fryer
Cook times are for a 1" steak, adjust times as needed for thinner or thicker steaks.
  • Medium Rare: Cook the steak 8-9 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
  • Medium: Cook the steak 9-11 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
  • Medium Well: Cook the steak 11-12 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the air can circulate evenly around the steaks.
Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the basket while it rests.
Steak Butter is the restaurant secret to serving steaks! Top steaks with steak butter or mix 1/4 cup salted butter, 1 small clove garlic, minced, (or half of a large clove), 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, pinch of smoked paprika. Other fresh herbs are great in this butter too.
5 from 45 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 582 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 606mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American

cooked Air Fryer Steak with a title

Air Fryer Steak sliced on a wooden cutting board
air fryer steak in a basket shown with a title
Air Fryer Steak in the fryer and slices with writing

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

    1. Turn the air fryer on to the desired temperature and let it run for about 5 minutes to preheat.

    1. I haven’t tried a T-bone, but I think it would work just fine. I would still look for one that has a minimum 1 inch thickness. If you try it, I would love to hear how it turns out!

  1. Made this for my steak loving husband last night and was super impressed! It’s the best steak I’ve ever made. Followed all the directions, didn’t even need steak sauce!5 stars

  2. The temp to cook the actual steak at would have been a nice addition. There are those who think cooking temperature is important. :)

    1. The temperature is listed in step 2.

      2. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

      The finished temperatures are listed in the post.
      Rare: 125°F
      Medium-Rare: 135°F
      Medium: 145°F
      Medium Well: 155°F
      Well: 160°F

  3. When you say air fry do you mean to put it on the air fry setting or the bake setting or the roast setting? I’m always confused by this.

    1. This recipe is made using an air fryer. Find out more about What an Air Fryer is here Ashley.

      If your air fryer has various settings, select the “air fry” setting for this recipe. Hope that helps!

    1. Welcome Pat! To receive emails with new recipes, you can click here to sign up to receive emails. Look forward to sending you recipes!

  4. Best steak I ever ate! Topped Steakhouse steaks for me. I made medium rare, and it was absolutely delicious. Extremely melt in your mouth tender.5 stars

  5. I make my steak med. rare from frozen in my airfryer and it so delicious. I add melted butter and garlic as well and sometimes Bleu Cheese.5 stars

    1. Just curious how long did you air fry your steaks and at what temp? We have frozen steaks that we want to air fry tonight and just got our airfryer.