How to Cook Steak in Your Air Fryer

I don’t know about you, but we’ve been swept up in the air fryer craze. Even the Test Kitchen is using air fryers! The tabletop convection ovens are amazing, circulating hot air around your food until it gets a crisp exterior—just like a fryer, but with a whole lot less oil. Faux-frying is what most people are using their air fryers for, but don’t stop there. You can cook some surprising foods in these gadgets, including air fryer steak.

Because the temperatures inside the air fryer are so consistent, your steak will turn out perfect, every time. It’s an ideal scenario when the weather isn’t cooperating and you can’t hit the grill.

How long does it take to cook steak in an air fryer?

In our testing, we found that cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we have given wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. It should take anywhere between 7 to 9 minutes for a medium-rare steak, and 10 to 14 minutes for a medium steak. Until you know the cook time on your air fryer, it’s best to begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.

The best way to know when your steak is finished is to use a meat thermometer. You want to be sure it has reached the Test Kitchen-recommended temperature.

How to Make Air Fryer Steak

Ingredients

• A 1-inch thick boneless ribeye or New York strip steak
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the steak

Start by rubbing the steak all over with the olive oil. This isn’t a necessary step when cooking a steak on the grill or in a cast-iron pan, but in an air fryer, the steak’s surface has the best chance of caramelizing and creating a crust if it’s coated in oil. Sprinkle the steak generously with the kosher salt and pepper. Then, let the seasoned steak sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to take the chill off.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Some air fryers have a steak setting, but we don’t recommend using it. These settings don’t allow you to customize the cook time, and they might be calibrated for bone-in steaks, which take longer than boneless cuts. We like to preheat the air fryer on the regular setting to 400° F. Let the air fryer preheat for about three minutes before moving on.

Don’t miss the Test Kitchen’s other secrets for air fryer success.

Step 3: Cook the steak

Add the steak to the air fryer basket and cook it for about 7 to 9 minutes for a medium-rare steak or 10 to 14 minutes for medium, flipping the steak halfway through. When the steak is finished cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Wondering how to take your steak from good to great? This list will help you make it happen!

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Whether you have to run out the door in the morning or take a few minutes to relax at the table, these breakfast egg rolls will hit the spot. The egg and sausage mixture can be made the night before so in the morning you roll, fry and go! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire

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Air-Fryer Raspberry Balsamic Smoked Pork Chops

Air-fryer pork chops are so delicious and so easy to make. My husband loves them. —Lynn Moretti, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

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I adore the combo of pears, blue cheese and walnuts in a salad, so I turned them into this ham and cheese turnover recipe—and they were a hit. I added black forest ham to make it a meal in one. Just add a salad of field greens with a balsamic vinaigrette and you have a decadent (and healthy!) dinner. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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I call this America’s best-loved air fryer chicken. The secret is in the breading, which makes the chicken super moist and flavorful, herby and golden brown. —Elaina Morgan, Rickman, Tennessee

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Air-Fryer Pickles

Like deep-fried pickles? You’ll love this version even more. Dill pickle slices are coated with panko bread crumbs and spices, then air-fried until crispy. Dip them in ranch dressing for an appetizer you won’t soon forget. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

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Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls

These easy apple pie egg rolls can be prepared as needed, using egg roll wrappers as a vessel for the fruit rather than traditional pie crust. The air-fryer method of cooking results in a crispy, crunchy crust with a tender, juicy filling. Flavored cream cheese spread may be used instead of plain, depending on availability. —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

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Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

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Sweet and Spicy Air-Fryer Meatballs

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This air-fryer pork is a great dish to make on a weeknight, and it's special enough for company. The recipe starts with pork tenderloin, which is quick to cook and economical compared to many meats, and it tastes delicious. —Leigh Rys, Herndon, Virginia

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Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp and Apricot Sauce

Coconut and panko crumbs give this spicy air-fryer shrimp its crunch. It’s perfect for an appetizer or for your main meal. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

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Air-Fryer Bourbon Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California

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Air-Fryer Fiesta Chicken Fingers

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I am crazy about chocolate chips, and this chewy cookie has enough to satisfy me. My husband and kids love these cookies. This big batch is perfect for our family. —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota

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I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I recreated it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

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Air Fryer Green Tomato BLT

I have used this "frying" method on eggplant slices for years and decided to try it on my green tomatoes. It worked! Now my family loves them in BLTs. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire

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My family adores this chicken recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist, and with the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan

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Air-Fryer Reuben Calzones

I love a Reuben sandwich, so I tried the same classic filling in a pizza pocket instead of on rye bread. This hand-held dinner is a big-time winner at our house. —Nickie Frye, Evansville, IN

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It never ceases to amaze to see warm chocolate pudding ooze out of the center of this tender chocolate cake. These cakes are a showstopper on a plate! Serve lava cakes with whipped cream or ice cream. —Carolyn Crotser, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Air-Fryer Quentin’s Peach-Bourbon Wings

My father and husband love bourbon flavor, so I add it to tangy wings air-fried in peach preserves. Stand back and watch these wings fly. —Christine Winston, Richmond, Virginia

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Air-Fryer Reuben Calzones

I love a Reuben sandwich, so I tried the same classic filling in a pizza pocket instead of on rye bread. This hand-held dinner is a big-time winner at our house. —Nickie Frye, Evansville, IN

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Air-Fryer Rosemary Sausage Meatballs

These air-fryer meatballs were created as hors d'oeuvres for a friend's wedding and became an instant hit and family treasure. Enjoy! —Steve Hansen, Redmond, Washington

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Air-Fryer Wasabi Crab Cakes

With wasabi in both the crab cakes and the dipping sauce, this festive appetizer brings its own heat to the holiday party. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

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The post How to Cook Steak in Your Air Fryer appeared first on Taste of Home.

Lindsay D. Mattison