JUICY Air Fryer Steak - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook a steak in an air fryer without it drying out? ›

The best way to ensure a juicy steak is to use high heat to cook the steak quickly, which will bring it to the proper temperature without drying it out. Remember to rest your steak after air frying to allow the meat to reabsorb juices and complete its cooking time without direct heat.

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

As is the case with so much to do with cooking steaks, there is a key temperature involved in resting a steak. The idea with resting is basically allowing the hot steak to cool to about 120 F to 125 F. At that temperature, the cells have relaxed enough so that the juices can flow back in.

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Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Season both sides generously. Let the steaks sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. To prevent the steaks from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly grease it with olive oil or cooking spray.

Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.

Don't use steaks that are less than an inch in thickness. Thin steaks are prone to overcooking quickly and becoming chewy. To enjoy the best flavor and texture, allow the steaks to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking them in the air fryer.

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.

Allow your steak to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes on the counter). Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F. Place the steak into the Air Fryer basket to reheat the steak; check every 2 minutes. The cook time will depend on steak thickness, so ensure the internal temperature reaches around 110°F–130°F.

Heat your air fryer for at least 10 minutes before adding the steaks. Set your air fryer to 400°F as soon as you begin prepping the steaks, and it'll be perfectly hot by the time you are ready. Preheating ensures that the outside of the steaks get nice and brown — similar to searing.

Place the steak on the air fryer tray and close the fryer. Allow it to cook for about three minutes and then flip the steak to the other side, allowing it to get a good sear on each side. Cook for another three minutes, or until the steak reaches your desired level of doneness.

Are steaks better in air fryer or grill? ›

Selecting the right cut can make a big difference in taste. Thicker cuts like sirloin steaks are best suited for air frying, while filet mignon shines on the grill. Regardless of your cooking method, always bring your meat to room temperature before cooking.

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Aging is done by letting the meat sit (in very controlled conditions) for several days or weeks.

How does Texas Roadhouse tenderise their steaks? Season each side of the steak well with the seasoning and set aside to rest for about 40 minutes. This causes the salt to infiltrate the surface (through osmosis) and actually aids in the breakdown of muscle fibres, resulting in more tender meat.

Use Tinfoil As A Tool

Another tip that can help keep meats from losing moisture is to protect them with a physical barrier from the dry heat of the air fryer. Using tinfoil helps keep moisture locked in and around the meat, preventing over-evaporation.

The hot surface cooks the steak quickly, which prevents the inside from overcooking and drying out. In an air fryer, the temperature combined with the fast movement of air can cause the steak to be dry by the time it's cooked. This is especially a problem when you're dealing with leaner cuts, like sirloin.

Allow the steaks to rest.

Resting will allow the meat to relax, and the juices will return to the meat fibres. This means the juices won't run out on to the plate when you cut the steak – and results in more tender steak.