Air Fryer Steak (Medium Rare)

Air Fryer Steak  - Super easy steaks made in your air fryer! These steaks are keto, low carb, and Weight Watcher friendly. Serve them with some mashed cauliflower and green beans on the side.

I know what you're thinking right now. Why on Earth would you ever want to cook a piece of steak in an air fryer when it tastes better cooked on a grill? I used to be intimidated by cooking different types of protein on a grill and once I tried cooking a steak in the air fryer, I was amazed at how juicy and tender it was. It was almost as good as a steak that was grilled to perfection by a chef at a restaurant!

For more air fryer recipes be sure to check out Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts, Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas, and Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED 

• 2 (1 in thick) Steaks (New York Strip, Rib Eye, or Tri Tip), 4 to 6 oz each
• Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of butter (optional)

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Spices or herbs to try on steak: rosemary, paprika, thyme, or black pepper

Make a garlic butter sauce with butter, olive oil, and garlic to put on the steak for some more flavor. 

If you're looking for some side dishes to serve with air fryer steak try potatoes or green beans. 

Best Cuts of Steak for Air Fryer

Once you master cooking a certain type of steak in the air fryer you will want to try other cuts of steak. Filet mignon, skirt steak, sirloin steak, or ribeye would be great to make in the air fryer!

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Steaks in Air Fryer (Medium Rare)

There are a lot of different types of steak out there and I have tested this recipe using New York Strip and Rib Eye. This recipe will work for any steak that is 1 inch thick.

1. If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat your air fryer.
2. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Season your steak with salt and pepper on each side.
4. Place the steak in your air fryer basket. Do not overlap the steaks.
5. Medium Steak: Set the time to 12 minutes and flip the steak at 6. 
6. Medium Rare: For a medium-rare steak, cook the steak for 10 minutes and flip it at 5 minutes. Use your oven thermometer to check for proper doneness.
7. If your air fryer doesn't go to 400 degrees for the temperature setting, check your user manual that came with it. Usually, it will say what temperature to cook steak at.

Storage Tips 

Always store leftover steak in clean, food-grade containers. The  type  of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic,  whatever!  Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer or refrigerator.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook a frozen steak in my air fryer?

I have not tested this recipe using a frozen steak and I would never ever cook a steak from frozen in the air fryer. If your steak is frozen let it defrost in the fridge overnight or let it sit out for a couple of hours so that it comes to room temperature.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food using the convection mechanism. It is a downsized version of the convection oven.

Is air fried food healthy?

When you compare air fried food to deep-fried food it is much healthier because there is hardly any oil used at all. The only oil I use is from my Pam cooking spray. I spray only the food once or twice because most air fryer baskets are nonstick. If you are concerned about using aerosol sprays for the environment or your health buy a Misto Brushed Aluminum Oil Sprayer can from Amazon and fill that with your favorite oil.

What air fryers are best?

I've had 3 or 4 different air fryers or the past 5 years and each one of them has worked very well with the air fryer recipes on this site. If you want to be able to cook more food for your family at once then get an air fryer with a large basket such as 5.3 quarts. Look for ones that say nonstick on them and has multiple program settings.

Power XL Air Fryer 5.3 Quart Basket. - This was my very first air fryer.

Our 5.3QT Power Air-Fryer comes in handy in preparing amazing meals from your cookbook, and frying a variety of dishes, such as: French fries, chicken, steak, roasts, fish tacos and sticks, waffle fries, pies, pudding and donuts.

Tips for Using Air Fryers

• This method for cooking turkey burgers for a 1400 to 1700 watt air fryer. Please check the wattage on your air fryer first before trying this method.
• Preheating: Some air fryers require preheating and some do not. Be sure to check your air fryer manual. Mine does not require preheating. If the food ever burns or doesn’t cook properly this could be why the recipe didn’t work for you. 
• Overcrowding: Do not overcrowd the basket. Some food will not cook properly or all the way through. 
• Oil: One of the reasons why air fryers are so great is because food doesn’t need a lot of oil. Just a small amount! 
• Not every air fryer cooks food the same. I always check half ways to see if it is getting close to near done. If it isn't done, continue cooking longer. 
• I highly recommend using a thermometer for cooking steaks or any other type of protein to check to see if they are done.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

Pizza Egg Rolls

Chicken Cordon Bleu

The BEST Chicken Parmesan

Air Fryer Pop Tarts

Air Fryer Egg Rolls

The Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Pepperoni Pita Pizzas

Mozzarella Sticks

If you make this recipe please comment and rate the recipe below to let everyone know how it is, or tag me on Instagram! If you want to upload a photo you can do that on Pinterest. Just find the post for it. 

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