Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

If you are wondering how to make the perfect air fryer steak then look no further. This method of cooking steak in the air fryer provides perfect juicy steak each and every time.

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I only had the intention of making fried foods when I purchased my Air Fryer. Little did I know how amazing this appliance was and that it could make much more than fried food. Now I have a ton of air fryer recipes as I use it all the time.

Initially, I used it to make chicken for my Healthier General Tso's Chicken in the Air Fryer and I used it often for roasting vegetables, but that was it. Then I discovered that my air fryer could make juicy steak!

Top your steaks with my homemade garlic butter that can be whipped up easily and can go on many dishes including fish, bread, and vegetables. I like to create more than we need for our steaks and save the rest for later in the fridge. I would eat the stuff by the spoonful if I could.

Many people will read this and wonder why even bother making a steak in the air fryer. Yes, steaks on the grill are amazing and a cast iron steak is also a good alternative but there are many reasons why some may choose to cook steak in an air fryer.

1. Your steak gets cooked perfectly every time. Since the air fryer is operated in a small space with a fan, the heat temperature is consistent. This means every time you decide to make a steak, it will be cooked at the perfect temperature and come out just the way you want it so long as you follow your time settings.
2. It's a hands-off dinner. I literally season my steaks, place them in the air fryer, and flip them when my halfway timer goes off. There is no need for me to watch it. This comes in handy when I'm going back and forth between my kitchen and my dining room to help my daughter with her homework.
3. The stove/grill isn't always available. My husband does all the grilling in our house and his steaks are AMAZING but it's not always grilling weather. Also, my stovetop steaks always get finished in the oven, which can make the house hot.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Steak Fajitas and Air Fryer Steak Kebabs too!

How to cook steak in the air fryer

1. Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing butter, parsley garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and salt until thoroughly combined. Place in parchment paper and roll into a log. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Remove steak from the fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
3. Rub a little bit of olive oil on both sides of the steak and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  
4. Grease your Air Fryer basket by rubbing a little bit of oil on the basket. Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter.

What's the best cut of steak to cook in the air fryer?

The beauty of steak in your air fryer is that you can cook different cuts in the machine. I've made delicious filet mignon, skirt steak, and ribeye. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the steak and doneness preference. Making beef tenderloin in the air fryer is also a must for my steak lovers!

I have found that 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature to cook steak in the air fryer, for an 8-ounce ribeye, it will take 12 minutes, and remember to flip halfway through. An instant-read thermometer is a must for cooking steaks at home, and I've included the temperatures in the recipe at the bottom so you can cook it to exactly your liking.

Can you marinate the steak?

I love to have my steak simply seasoned with salt and pepper, but if you prefer you can use seasoned salt or your favorite liquid marinade for extra flavor. Marinate the steak for at least an hour or up to 8 hours, then let it come up to room temperature before cooking in the air fryer.

Degrees of Doneness

For an idea of the correct to cook your steak, follow the times below. Make sure you use a quick read thermometer to check the correct temperatures.

Temperature	Doneness
125°F (52°C)	rare
135°F (57°C)	medium-rare
145°F (63°C)	medium
150°F (65°C)	medium-well
160°F (71°C)	well-done

What sides go with steak?

This recipe is so perfect for date night, serve it up alongside your favorite veggie and potato sides for a real feast! Try it with:

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Garlic Herb Mushrooms
• Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
• Carrot Soufflé
• Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
• Sautéed Mushrooms

For a similar recipe, try my Air Fryer Lamb Chops. For other ways to cook your steak, try my pan-seared steak.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Adding olive oil to the steaks is optional. I do it for flavor.
• Make sure that your steak is at room temperature before adding it to the air fryer. This will help it to stay tender and juicy.
• Preheat your air fryer fully before adding the steak so that it cooks through evenly. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes before placing it in.
• Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving, cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. This will get the steaks perfectly juicy.
• The garlic herb butter will keep well for a couple of weeks in the fridge and it freezes well for up to 3 months.

If you're looking for a place to get awesome steaks and other meats, try Butcher Box. They are a meat delivery service specializing in grass-fed and organic meats. You can check out my unboxing of my first meat order on Facebook and my 9 month review of ButcherBox.

Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this air-fried steak from start to finish.

Step by Step Photos

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Post originally published April 9, 2018. Updated with additional helpful tips.