This is the BEST Air Fryer Steak recipe (and possibly my new favorite way to cook steak)! Juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked, this steak is seasoned simply with salt and pepper and finished with a pat of melted garlic butter. This recipe is deceptively simple to make and ready in only 15 minutes!
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try my Air Fryer Chicken Breasts or Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin next!
About This Recipe
Take your steak game to the next level with this foolproof air fryer steak! Made in just a few simple steps with common pantry staples, this no-fail recipe is always on rotation for our weeknight dinners.
I always thought steak needed a good sear in a smoking hot pan to become delicious, but actually, the air fryer does a pretty good job. The inside stays nice and juicy, and you get a beautiful golden brown crust on the outside.
If you've never made steak in the air fryer, now's the time to start! Choose your favorite cut - ribeye, New York strip, and sirloin are all great options - season them lightly with salt and pepper, and let the air fryer do all the hard work for you!
Pro tip: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the steaks. This will give you a better crust on the outside.
Key Ingredients
Steaks: Ribeye, New York strip, and sirloin all work great for this recipe. Look for steaks that are around 1 inch thick for the best results. Too thin and they'll cook too fast, which makes it hard to nail down the doneness.
Salt and black pepper: I used kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor. You want to sprinkle a generous amount onto each side of the steak- about ½ teaspoon for each steak.
Vegetable oil: A light coating of oil helps the black pepper and salt stick to the steak and promotes browning on the outside. If your steaks have some moisture on the outside, pat them dry with paper towels before adding the oil.
Salted butter: The base of the garlic butter. Make sure it's at room temperature so it's easier to mix. If you only have unsalted butter, you can just mix in some extra salt to taste.
Garlic: Two cloves of freshly minced garlic add a savory depth that pairs perfectly with the steak.
Fresh parsley: Stirred into the garlic butter and used as a garnish. It adds a fresh, herby flavor that balances out the richness.
Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare the garlic butter by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
STEP 2: Rub the steaks with oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the steaks to the air fryer basket.
STEP 3: Air-fry for 10-16 minutes (10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, 14 minutes for medium-well, and 16 minutes for well-done) or until desired doneness.
If you want to be precise, I recommend a meat thermometer. The steaks will rise another 15-20°F after you remove them, so pull out at 105°F for medium-rare, 115°F for medium, and 125°F for well-done.
STEP 4: Remove the steaks to a plate and place a pat of butter on each. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Note: Don't skip the resting step. The juices will redistribute into the meat during this time, and keep things nice and juicy.
Air Fryer Steak
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) striploin steaks (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- salt and black pepper (to taste)
For the garlic butter
- 1 stick salted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Prepare the garlic butter by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Rub the steaks with oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the steaks to the air fryer basket.
- Air-fry for 10-16 minutes (10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium, 14 minutes for medium-well, and 16 minutes for well-done) or until desired doneness.
- Remove the steaks to a plate and place a pat of butter on each. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
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