This Air Fryer Steak delivers a beautifully seared crust and a tender, juicy center with minimal effort. Finished with my homemade steak butter, it’s an easy way to enjoy steakhouse-quality results at home.

I love to serve alongside classic steakhouse sides like loaded baked potatoes and roasted green beans.

sliced Air Fryer Steak on a cutting board

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Air Fryer Steak

  • Flavor: This steak is rich, beefy, and buttery with a savory, well-seasoned crust and a juicy, tender interior.
  • Why Make It: Faster than heating the grill, this air fryer recipe gives consistent results with minimal effort. It’s practically foolproof!
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with classic steakhouse sides or thin slice and serve in a beef stir fry or inside a Philly cheesesteak.

Total Time: 18 Mins Serves: 2 Steaks Cooking Method: Air Fryer

Ingredient Notes

  • Steaks: Use ribeye, sirloin (great budget-friendly option), or New York steak, but make sure they are thicker steaks. At least ¾-inch, but I prefer 1-inch for the best results.
  • Steak Seasoning: Use your favorite steak seasoning blend, or season with coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Marinade (optional): For an extra pop of flavor, try my homemade steak marinade, or toss in a zippered bag with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some Italian seasoning for an hour or two before cooking.

How to Make Air Fryer Steak

seasoning to steak to make Air Fryer Steak
  1. Let the steaks come to room temp, then rub with oil and seasoning.
adding steaks to air fryer to make Air Fryer Steak
  1. Air fry until they reach desired doneness (full recipe below). Let rest, then serve!

How Long to Air Fry Steaks

Refer to your owner’s guide for precise cooking information from your appliance, but here’s a general guideline for a 1″ steak.

  • Rare: 6 to 7 minutes (125°F)
  • Medium Rare: 7 to 8 minutes (135°F )
  • Medium: 8 to 10 minutes (145°F)
  • Medium Well: 10 to 11 minutes (155°F)
  • Well-Done: 12 to 15 minutes (160°F)

Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part to determine the internal temperature, and take the steak out about 5° below your desired doneness. The residual heat will finish bringing it to temperature.

Air Fryer Steak in the fryer

Steakhouse Secrets

  • Pat Dry: Pat the steaks dry before seasoning for better browning.
  • The Best Crust: Always preheat the air fryer and use room temperature steaks for the best results.
  • Cook in a Single Layer: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the air can circulate evenly around the steak.
  • Let Rest: Allow the steaks to rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking to help seal in the juices before serving.

Storing Leftovers

  • Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F or in a covered skillet with a splash of broth.

Steakhouse Favorites at Home

Did you enjoy the following Air Fryer Steak Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
close up of juicy Air Fryer Steak
5 from 46 votes

Air Fryer Steak

Servings 2 steaks
Air fryer steak is an easy way to cook juicy, perfectly seasoned steaks with a beautifully browned crust in less than 20 minutes.
Servings 2 steaks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 2 steaks 1" thick , ribeye, sirloin or striploin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter melted
  • steak seasoning to taste
  • 2 tablespoons steak butter or garlic herb butter, optional, below

Instructions 

  • Remove steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  • Rub the steaks with olive oil and melted butter. Generously season on each side.
  • Add the steaks to the air fryer basket and cook 8 to 12 minutes (flipping after 4 minutes) or until steaks reach desired doneness.
  • Remove steaks from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. Rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
  • Top with additional butter if desired and serve.

Notes

Air Fryers can vary, cook times are approximate. I highly suggest a meat thermometer (until you know your Air Fryer) to ensure steaks don’t overcook. If your steak is cold from the fridge, it will need more time.
Steaks that are a minimum of ¾” thick (or thicker) cook best in the air fryer
Cook times are for a 1″ steak; adjust times as needed for thinner or thicker steaks.
  • Medium Rare: Cook the steak 8-9 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
  • Medium: Cook the steak 9-11 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
  • Medium Well: Cook the steak 11-12 minutes flipping after 4 minutes.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the air can circulate evenly around the steaks.
Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the basket while it rests.
Leftovers: Keep leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. 
5 from 46 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 582 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 606mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
cooked Air Fryer Steak with a title

Air Fryer Steak sliced on a wooden cutting board
air fryer steak in a basket shown with a title
Air Fryer Steak in the fryer and slices with writing
Air Fryer Steak with butter and a title
Air Fryer Steak in the fryer and sliced with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
See more posts by Holly

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5 from 46 votes (40 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. THanks for the recipe,

    You mention a meat thermometer but not the internal temp of the steak. Would you please post those too!

    1. This information is in the post! Enjoy!

      The FDA recommends a minimum temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest. I take the steak out about 5° before it reaches my desired temperature.

      Rare: 125°F
      Medium-Rare: 135°F
      Medium: 145°F
      Medium Well: 155°F
      Well: 160°F

  2. Would this recipe work in air fryer toaster combo? I’ve made the air fryer hamburger recipe and the burgers require extra time but they come out delicious. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes.

      1. I did make it tonight for dinner. My husband enjoyed it. I used sirloin steak with Montreal steak seasoning. It took a few extra minutes in the toaster air fryer combo. Thanks for such a great recipe. I will make this again

      2. Nadine, I am happy to hear that it was a hit with your husband.

    1. Turn the air fryer on to the desired temperature and let it run for about 5 minutes to preheat.

    1. I haven’t tried a T-bone, but I think it would work just fine. I would still look for one that has a minimum 1 inch thickness. If you try it, I would love to hear how it turns out!

  3. Made this for my steak loving husband last night and was super impressed! It’s the best steak I’ve ever made. Followed all the directions, didn’t even need steak sauce!5 stars

  4. The temp to cook the actual steak at would have been a nice addition. There are those who think cooking temperature is important. :)

    1. The temperature is listed in step 2.

      2. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

      The finished temperatures are listed in the post.
      Rare: 125°F
      Medium-Rare: 135°F
      Medium: 145°F
      Medium Well: 155°F
      Well: 160°F

  5. When you say air fry do you mean to put it on the air fry setting or the bake setting or the roast setting? I’m always confused by this.

    1. This recipe is made using an air fryer. Find out more about What an Air Fryer is here Ashley.

      If your air fryer has various settings, select the “air fry” setting for this recipe. Hope that helps!

  6. Best steak I ever ate! Topped Steakhouse steaks for me. I made medium rare, and it was absolutely delicious. Extremely melt in your mouth tender.5 stars

  7. I make my steak med. rare from frozen in my airfryer and it so delicious. I add melted butter and garlic as well and sometimes Bleu Cheese.5 stars

    1. Just curious how long did you air fry your steaks and at what temp? We have frozen steaks that we want to air fry tonight and just got our airfryer.