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Air Fryer Steak

5 from 4 votes
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Who doesn’t love a good steak? However, instead of breaking out the cast iron, why not try cooking your steak in the air fryer instead?

Don’t forget to make these delicious Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries as a side, since your air fryer is already on!  Also, why not try making your own streak seasoning using this Montreal Steak Seasoning recipe?

air fryer steak sliced ona white plate with green brans

Air Fryer Steak

We have all had those nights when we really feel like a steak but the thought of having to spend too much time in the kitchen and clean up after leaves us reaching for a box meal instead.

Well, thanks to your air fryer you can enjoy a quick and almost mess-free steak whenever you feel like it!

air fryer steak ingredients  in small bowls and the steak on parchment paper

What Kind Of Steak Is Best For This Recipe?

When it comes to choosing a steak to use for this recipe there really is no wrong or right answer. It is very much going to depend on your taste and the cut of meat that you normally enjoy. Cuts such as rib eye, New York strip, tenderloin, and top sirloin all work great, but if something else catches your eye at the butchers, there is no reason why you can’t give it a try.

The only things that you might want to bear in mind are the size of your air fryer and cooking times. Some steaks that come with a bone, like a tomahawk, can be quite large and might not fit if you have a smaller air fryer.

Size is also worth considering if you are planning to cook multiple steaks and don’t want to have to cook them separately.

Time is not such a big deal but might be important if you are looking for a quick weeknight meal. The bigger and thicker the cut the longer it will take to cook.

air fryer steak in the air fryer basket

How To Tell When Your Steak Is Cooked Just Right

When cooking in an air fryer it can be tricky to know when things are fully cooked, as you are unable to see them and therefore use your judgment in the same way that you would when cooking in a pan. As a result, you are much more reliant on having an exact idea of the time that it will take for something to cook so that you are not continuously opening your air fryer and letting out heat.

For a medium rare steak, you are going to want to cook your steak for around 10 minutes, making sure that you flip it halfway through the cooking process. For a medium steak, roughly 12 minutes should get you the results that you want, again making sure to flip halfway through at 6 minutes.

The exact cooking time is however going to depend on the thickness of your steak. A thin cut is going to cook much quicker than a thick piece of meat. It might be necessary to add a few minutes to the cooking time if you choose a really thick steak like a tomahawk.

After cooking several steaks in your air fryer you should start to get a good sense of how long it takes for different thicknesses of meat to cook making it much easier in the future.

air fryer steak on a white plate with mashed potatoes and green beans

What Is Montreal Steak Spice?

Montreal steak spice is a popular seasoning blend used on meat and especially steak. In terms of its flavor, Montreal steak spice is often compared to pastrami and has a slightly sweet tang to it.

Typically Montreal steak spice will contain black pepper, paprika, dill seed, salt, coriander, and garlic. However, it is one of those seasoning blends that every restaurant and the passionate home cook has put their own spin on.

If you are having trouble finding Montreal steak spice at your local store it is worth noting that this popular seasoning blend goes by a few different names. Try looking for Canadian steak seasoning or Canadian steak spice, as these are a few of the other names that it is sold under.

air fryer steak slice inbetween wooden tongs

Sides To Serve With Your Steak

The big advantage of cooking your steak in an air fryer is that the whole dish comes together in less than 15 minutes and it makes almost no mess.

Therefore you don’t want to pair your steak with a side that will take too long to prepare. Ideally, you want to choose a side that can be made in the time that it takes for your steak to cook and rest.

Why not try one of these super quick and simple sides to put with your steak?

Salads are probably the easiest side to put with almost any meal and can be thrown together in just a few minutes. If you are really short of time you can also buy a readymade salad that just needs to be plated up.

While you can’t go wrong when choosing which salad to pair with your steak, there is something about a Caesar salad that works particularly well. The richness of the dressing and the cheese complement the meatiness of the steak.

For a super healthy side, you could try making air fryer kale chips to put with your steak. These veggie chips add a crunch to the final dish and are also packed with nutrients making them a perfect side dish!

If you’re not in the mood for greens and instead want to recreate the indulgence of restaurant steak and chips you could try making your own French fries or sweet potato fries using your air fryer.

Many people avoid making homemade fries because they assume that it requires a giant pot of oil and a fried smell that hangs in the air for a few days after. But thanks to your air fryer, you can make healthy fries in no time with absolutely no need for a pot of oil or greasy counters to clean up after.

Looking for more delicious Air Fryer recipes? Try these out:

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Zesty Ranch Air Fryer Fish Fillets

Air Fryer Hamburgers

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Thanks to your air fryer you can enjoy a tender and almost mess-free steak whenever you feel like it!
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Air Fryer Steak

Thanks to your air fryer you can enjoy a tender and almost mess-free steak whenever you feel like it!
5 from 4 votes
air fryer steak sliced ona white plate with green brans
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
12 minutes
Course
Dinner
Cuisine
American
Servings
1
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 1 Steak (1 inch thick) (Rib eye, New York, Tenderloin, Top sirloin)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Montreal steak spice (or steak spice of choice)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400° if needed.
  • Pour the olive oil on the steak and spread it all over to ensure it is covered.
  • Add the steak seasoning (or seasoning of your choice) and rub it in to ensure it is evenly coated.
  • Put steak in the air fryer.
    For a Medium Rare steak cook the steak for 10 minutes total and flip it at 5 minutes.
    For a Medium Steak: Set the time to 12 minutes total and flip the steak at 6 minutes.
  • Remove from the air fryer, cover it with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite Caesar salad or vegetable dish. Garnish with parsley.

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. GA Cook says

    This steak, as pictured, is seriously overdone. Is this a risk of using air fryer, or was it just cooked too long? Looks like a ribeye, which is best at medium rare. This one looks well done, which would be dry, chewy, and tasteless.

  2. GA Cook says

    This steak, as pictured, is seriously overdone. Is this a risk of using air fryer, or was it just cooked too long? Looks like a ribeye, which is best at medium rare. This one looks well fine, which would be dry, chewy, and tasteless.

  3. Lynda says

    Hi, Do you know how long to cook steak in air fryer if you want it very rare? Maybe 7 min flipping it at 4 min. I have no idea. Thanks. I follow your site all the time.

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