Air Fryer Steak Recipe! Who knew that you could cook up a juicy, mouthwatering steak in an air fryer? Well, buckle up, steak lovers, because today’s recipe will blow your mind and taste buds. Forget firing up the grill or heating up the stove—your air fryer is about to become your new best friend. This easy air fryer steak recipe guarantees a perfect sear, tender texture, and all the deliciousness you crave in just a fraction of the time.
Make it a meal and serve this insanely delicious steak recipe with a side of grilled asparagus, roasted brussels sprouts, or simple French fries!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fry Ribeye Steak
- Quick and Convenient: Cooking steak in an air fryer is fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without the wait.
- Perfectly Cooked Every Time: The air fryer provides consistent heat, helping you achieve that perfect medium-rare (or your preferred doneness) with ease.
- Year-Round Grilling: You can enjoy a steakhouse-quality meal without needing a grill, making it ideal for those who live in apartments or areas with long winters.
My teenager, who lives for a good steak, rates this 9/10. That’s the best rating I’ve EVER gotten out of him on a recipe that I’ve made, so I’m calling it a win. Personally, I think this steak is 10/10. It took me only a few minutes to make and was just three basic ingredients. We fought over the last few bites, which I lost because he towers over me.
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So what’s the secret to this super simple dinner idea? Freeze your steaks. I know, I know… This seems like a terrible idea. I saw it on TikTok and decided to give it a go. Turns out freezing the steak allows the outside to develop a beautifully browned crust without overcooking the inside. This is the most juicy and flavor packed steak I’ve ever made at home, and you can definitely control the cook time, which means no matter how you take your steak you are guaranteed a perfect finish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Another bonus? You only need three ingredients to whip up one of these beauties. Here’s what I recommend for this recipe:
- Steak: When it comes to making the best air fryer steak, the ribeye reigns supreme. The marbling melts into the meat as it cooks, resulting in a juicy, tender steak with an irresistible crust. Make sure the meat is frozen.
- Oil: Brushing a frozen steak with oil before air frying is key to achieving a perfectly seared and flavorful crust while helping the seasoning stick. Pick an oil with a high smoke point. We like avocado oil.
- Salt: The idea here is to add enough seasoning that it enhances the natural flavors without overpowering. I stick with a heavy hand of coarse sea salt or a steak seasoning that I already know that we love.
That’s it! Just three simple ingredients and you get a steak that tastes like it’s straight from the steakhouse.
Cooking A Steak In An Air Fryer
I love this recipe for so many reasons. The fact that you start with a frozen steak makes it extra simple for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Freeze Your Steak: Start with a completely frozen ribeye steak. This helps it cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Prep Your Steak: Brush both sides of the frozen steak with olive oil. Then, season it generously with salt or your favorite steak seasoning. Use twice as much seasoning as you normally would since some will fall off during cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat.
- Cook the Steak: Place the steak in the preheated air fryer. Cook it for 8-12 minutes on each side. For a 1-inch ribeye, 10 minutes on each side should give you a medium doneness.
- Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy and flavorful.
Helpful Tools
Here are some helpful tools to make this air fryer steak recipe a breeze. These tools will help you achieve a perfectly cooked, delicious steak with minimal fuss.
- Meat Thermometer: (affiliate) Ensures your steak reaches the perfect internal temperature for your desired doneness.
- Silicone Basting Brush: (affiliate) Perfect for brushing oil evenly onto your frozen steak.
- Tongs: (affiliate) Essential for flipping the steak safely and easily without piercing the meat and losing juices.
- Cutting Board: (affiliate) A sturdy surface for seasoning and resting your steak.
Expert Recipe Tips:
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seasoning. A thick layer helps create a flavorful crust and compensates for any seasoning that might fall off during cooking.
- Preheat Properly: Make sure your air fryer is fully preheated to 400°F before adding the steak. This ensures even cooking and a nice sear.
- Flip Halfway: For even cooking, flip the steak halfway through the cooking time. This helps both sides develop a good crust.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Aim for 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well.
- Let it Rest: After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier steak.
- Customize Doneness: If you prefer your steak more or less done, adjust the cooking time slightly. Keep an eye on the temperature to get it just right.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook a fresh steak in the air fryer. Simply adjust the cooking time to be shorter since fresh steaks will cook faster than frozen ones. Aim for about 7-9 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness.
No, you don’t need to thaw the steak. Cooking it from frozen helps it cook more evenly and achieve a great crust.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 130°F, for medium 140°F, and for medium-well 150°F. Let the steak rest for a few minutes as it will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the air fryer.
A simple seasoning of salt works well. You can also use your favorite steak seasoning blend. Don’t forget to season generously.
Yes, flipping the steak halfway through the cooking time helps it cook more evenly and develop a nice crust on both sides.
More Must Try Air Fryer Recipes
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Easy Air Fryer Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (about 1 inch thick) Ribeye steak frozen
- 1/2 tablespoon oil we like avocado oil
- coarse salt or steak seasoning *
Instructions
- Start with a completely frozen ribeye steak. This helps it cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Brush both sides of the frozen steak with olive oil. Then, season it generously with coarse salt or your favorite steak seasoning. Use twice as much seasoning as you normally would since some will fall off during cooking.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat.
- Place the steak in the preheated air fryer. Cook it for 8-12 minutes on each side. For a 1-inch ribeye, 10 minutes on each side should give you a medium doneness.
- Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy and flavorful.
Notes
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Aim for 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for medium-well.
- Let it Rest: After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier steak.
- Table salt is not ideal for this recipe. Coarse kosher salt has larger grains, which provide a good crust when searing the steak, enhancing the texture and flavor.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Jesseca says
Our new go- to steak recipe!