Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to their ability to cook food quickly and efficiently without the need for excessive oil.
If you haven’t used one before, an air fryer is essentially a countertop convection oven that circulates hot air around your food to cook it.
One of the many foods that can be cooked in an air fryer is steak. If you love a good steak but don’t want to spend time preheating an oven or heating up a stovetop, using an air fryer to cook steak can be a great option. It’s fast, easy, and yields a delicious result.
In the following section, we’ll take you through the steps to cook steak in an air fryer, including preparation, seasoning, cooking, and resting the steak. By the end of this section, you’ll be ready to cook a mouth-watering steak that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer
Cooking steak in an air fryer is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
Preparing the steak
- Take your steak out of the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- Trim any excess fat or sinew from the edges of the steak.
Seasoning the steak
- Rub the steak all over with a light coating of oil.
- Season the steak generously with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice.
Cooking the steak
- Preheat the air fryer to 200c.
- Place the seasoned steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of the steak and desired doneness), flipping the steak halfway through cooking.
- For a medium-rare steak, cook for 8-10 minutes. For medium steak, cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the steak has reached your desired internal temperature. For a medium-rare steak, aim for 55c, and for a medium steak, aim for 60c.
Resting the steak
- Once the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender steak.
With these steps, you can cook a delicious steak in your air fryer without the need for a grill or stovetop. Next, we’ll address some common questions about cooking steak in an air fryer.
Common Questions about Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer
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How long to cook steaks in the air fryer?
Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. Generally, a 1-inch thick steak cooked at 200c will take around 8-12 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness.
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Do you need to flip the steak in an air fryer?
Yes, it’s important to flip the steak halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.
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Does air-frying steak dry it out?
No, air-frying steak can help retain moisture and juiciness since it’s a quick cooking method that doesn’t require excessive oil.
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Is steak better on a pan or an air fryer?
This depends on personal preference. The pan-seared steak will have a nice crust and charred flavour, while air-fried steak will be more evenly cooked and have a slightly different texture.
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What steak is best in an air fryer?
Any steak can be cooked in an air fryer, but thinner cuts like New York strip or ribeye will work better than thicker cuts like T-bone or porterhouse.
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Do steaks brown in an air fryer?
Yes, steaks will brown in the air fryer due to the hot circulating air. However, they may not get as charred as they would on a grill or stovetop.
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Is steak healthier in an air fryer?
Air frying steak can be a healthier cooking method than frying or pan-searing since it doesn’t require excessive oil. However, it’s important to still watch your portion size and overall dietary intake.
Other Air Fryer Cooking Tips and Ideas
If you’re looking to try out some other recipes in your air fryer, here are a few ideas:
- Picanhas: a popular Brazilian cut of beef that’s perfect for air frying
- Japanese steak: marinated and grilled steak with a Japanese twist
- Kobe steak: a high-quality, expensive cut of beef that can be air fried to perfection
- Boiled eggs: yes, you can even make boiled eggs in your air fryer!
Conclusion
In conclusion, cooking steak in an air fryer can be a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy your favourite cut of beef. With the right preparation and seasoning, you can achieve a perfectly cooked steak without the need for a grill or stovetop. We hope that this guide has helped answer some common questions and provides tips for air-frying steak. Happy cooking!