Make perfect Air Fryer Steak that is seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. Air frying steak is quick and easy with no splatter or mess in the kitchen!
Air Fryer Steak
Through trial and error, I learned some tips to make perfect air fryer steaks. Here I used leaner sirloin, but this will work for any steak you like. I do recommend making sure your steaks are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast without getting a chance to brown. A little oil rubbed on the steaks helps the steaks brown better. Adding a dry rub to leaner steaks like this sirloin or chops helps with overall color. We usually eat it with baked potatoes, smashed potatoes, or mashed potatoes and a vegetable, like roasted green beans or asparagus. You can see more air fryer recipes here.
While creating two air fryer cookbooks, with Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners being my latest, I tested my fair share of steaks in the air fryer. I tried them in many different air fryers and got different results. Air fryers that were at least 1800 watts, like my favorite GoWISE Air Fryer, browned the steaks nicely. Other models didn’t yield the best results.
Tips and Variations for Perfect Steak in the Air Fryer
- Steak Type: I used leaner sirloin for this recipe, but this method will work for any thick steak you like.
- Thickness Matters: Start with steaks that are at least one inch thick. Thinner steaks cook too fast without getting a chance to brown.
- Room Temperature: Let your steaks get to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking for the best results.
- Dry Steaks: Pat steaks and pork chops with paper towels to remove moisture, which will stream them rather than brown.
- Better Browning: Your steaks, chops, and vegetables will brown better when spritzed with a little oil.
- Dry Rub for Leaner Steaks:Â Â Adding a dry rub to leaner steaks helps with overall color. For this recipe, I kept it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: The steaks should have enough airflow for optimal browning.
- Rest: Remove the steaks and let them rest on a plate, loosely tented with foil so they don’t continue cooking in the air fryer basket.
How long do steaks take in the air fryer?
- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes and flip it at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes and flip it at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What temp do you air fry steak to?
Use a meat probe to test your steaks and take them out five degrees before your desired doneness, as the meat temp will increase as it rests.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
More Steak Recipes You’ll Love:
- Grilled Steak with Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Balsamic
- Skirt Steak, Baby Bok Choy, and Zucchini Stir Fry
- Grilled Flank Steak with Black Beans and Corn Salsa
- Carne Asada Steak Salad
- Steak Kebabs with Chimichurri
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 sirloin steaks 1 inch thick (1 1/2 lbs total)
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Combine the spices in a small bowl.
- Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices.
- Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. For a 1-inch steak, air fry 400F 10 minutes turning halfway, for medium rare, for medium, cook 12 minutes, flipping halfway. See temp chart below, time may vary slightly with different air fryer models, and the thickness of the steaks.
- Finish with a pinch of more salt and black pepper.
- Let it rest, tented with foil 5 minutes before slicing.
Last Step:
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Notes
- Medium Steak: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes and flip it at six minutes.
- Medium-Rare Steaks: For 1-inch-thick steaks cooked to medium-rare, cook the steak in a preheated air fryer for 10 minutes and flip it at five minutes.
- Adjust Time Depending on Thickness: For thicker or thinner steaks, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Rare: 125°F
- Medium-Rare: 135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium Well: 155°F
- Well: 160°F
Good feshly made. Less flavor is reheat
I said to my friend on the phone just now, oh shit this woman might be Jesus with how well this steak turned out. Keep making great content, I’m here for it!
Easy and delicious! I was intimidated about making steak, but this is a huge hit with the family. This was accompanied with your perfect baked potato, microwave version. Thanks, Gina!!!
WOW just WOW, would never have tried air fryer Filet Mignon!!! It was phenom, even my husband was suspect of this with the filets. I left the steaks out to room temp, made sure they were dry, rubbed the oil and spices into them well, preheated air fryer, and flipped over at 4 minutes. We hardly had to even chew them!! Yes some of that is choosing a good quality steak, but still—Wow!! We baked potatoes and bread first and kept them in foil in microwave until steaks done, served with salad. Thanks for an awesome, easy recipe!
Thanks so much for the recipe on how to cook steak. I have an air fryer and the instructions you gave on how to air fry steak was the best.
It was quite easy and came out so tender and juicy. Thank you guys at Skinny taste and please keep the recipes coming. (very grateful, James Turner).
Wow! Even my husband couldn’t believe this steak came from an air fryer!! I used tri-tip because it was cheaper today. And it came out perfect (12 min for medium well) I am definitely adding this to the rotation. Served with baked potatoes and asparagus -easy clean up, delicious meal. Everyone is happy! Thank you, Gina!Â
Where are the Weight Watchers points please? Thanks
Click the orange button in the recipe card for the link to WW.
Maybe my steaks were too thin but I used the medium time and they were well done. I then did the next 2 at the medium rare time and they weren’t even really medium. The seasoning was very good. Will try again with thicker steaks or lessening the time.
Hello! I tried this in my air fryer and man I will never cook a steak on a grill again. The outside had a crispnessÂ
To it and the inside was med rare and tender. I Â thought I was eating out back or som other awesome steak
House steak. Absolutely  delicious!
Perfect!
Came out perfect! I had 2 large steaks and 2 small steaks, so I cooked them separate. The two smaller ones cooked to medium-rare in 8 minutes, the larger ones took closer to 16. (they were 2″ thick). They all came out great and had a nice crispy outside and were pink inside. Thanks so much!
This looks great! Should cook time be adjusted for fewer steaks cooking at once (2 instead of 4)?
Gina, thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes with us. Â I am sure it takes a lot of trial and errors but I appreciate it and so does my family whom I make your recipes for. Â Another winner!!Â
Awesome!
Great to share this, Gina! We are going through a kitchen remodel, and my husband and I (before seeing this recipe) decided to try steaks in the air fryer since it’s been too cold and wet outside to use our outdoor grill. Not knowing what to expect we were so happy they came out juicy and tender. We used some small tri tips we had in our freezer, and they were so successful the next week we did small sirloins. Definitely recommend a dab of olive oil to rub on, add your seasonings and go for it.
So good! Â The steak was tender, juicy, nicely browned and delicious. I have a double-basket air fryer, programmed it for different timing and made steak fries at the same time. Delicious dinner with a salad. Two thumbs up!
I admit I was skeptical of this recipe, but I’m up for trying things in my air fryer. I like my steaks rare, so I decided to try 8 minutes in the fryer after seasoning the steak. When I tuned the steak half way through, I thought  I was close to my preference, so I pulled it at 7 minutes. It was delicious! Though seasoned more than what I usually do, the seasoning wasn’t overwhelming. I loved it!! Thanks again for pushing boundaries. I LOVED IT!!
Thank you so much for sharing… I recently moved to a smaller apartment and no longer have a grill and really missed cooking steaks. When I saw you post this I decided to give it a try- they came out perfect! Such an easy way to cook them. I will definitely be doing this more often.Â
I have a GoWISE that is 1700 watts what adjustment should I make for browning to be good? How long to preheat?
just follow the recipe, preheat 3 minutes it makes a difference when it’s already heated.
I have a toaster oven style air fryer. What do you recommend for how to cook? Should I place the steak on the bottom rack? Middle rack?
Closest to the heating element so Im guessing the top? Timing should be similar
Did you try this in your toaster oven type air fryer? How’d it turn out?
Gina, you have made my life so much easier. Introducing me to the air fryer is just one. Your menus make cooking more fun. I’m not waiting ot the last minute and searching for something to throw together. I enjoy cooking – and now more. And, I’m slowly loosing the COVID pounds. And an occasional steak cooked without mess – who could ask for anything more!
Awesome!!