This Air Fryer Steak is a quick way to cook a thick, juicy steak with a nicely browned exterior. It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, including resting time, and works well with ribeye or New York strip.

The key is to use steaks that are at least 1 inch thick and check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Air fryers can vary in cooking time, so temperature is more reliable than time alone.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Steak

• Quick: Ready in about 20 minutes, including resting time.
• Simple ingredients: You only need steak, oil, seasonings, and butter.
• Easy to control: A meat thermometer helps you get the doneness you want.
• Minimal cleanup: No skillet or grill is needed.
• Great for weeknight dinners: Serve it with potatoes, vegetables, or a simple salad.

Best Steak Cuts for the Air Fryer

For the best results, use steaks that are 1 to 1½ inches thick.

Good options include:

• Ribeye
• New York strip
• Sirloin

Ribeye has more marbling and tends to be more tender and flavorful. New York strip is slightly leaner but still works very well in the air fryer.

Avoid very thin steaks because they can cook through before developing a good browned exterior.

Ingredients & What You Need

You’ll need a few simple ingredients:

• Steak: Ribeye, New York strip, or sirloin. Choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick.
• Oil: Olive oil or avocado oil helps the seasonings stick and promotes browning.
• Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme or rosemary.
• Garlic Herb Butter: Butter, fresh garlic, and parsley.

Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact measurements.

How to Make Air Fryer Steak

1. Prepare the Steaks

Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about 15–20 minutes before cooking.

Pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the surface brown better during cooking.

2. Season the Steaks

Brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil.

Mix the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs in a small bowl. Season the steaks on all sides.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.

If your air fryer does not require preheating, you can place the steaks directly into the basket, but the cooking time may vary slightly.

4. Air Fry the Steaks

Place the steaks in the basket in a single layer. Leave some space between them so the hot air can circulate.

Cook at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through.

Approximate cooking times for 1–1½-inch steaks:

• Medium-rare: 8–10 minutes
• Medium: 10–12 minutes
• Well-done: 12–14 minutes

Cooking time can vary depending on the steak’s thickness and your air fryer.

For the most accurate result, check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak.

5. Make the Garlic Butter

While the steak cooks, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl.

6. Rest the Steak

Remove the steaks from the air fryer and place them on a cutting board.

Top each steak with garlic herb butter and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Resting gives the juices time to redistribute and helps keep the steak moist.

Steak Temperature Guide

Use the internal temperature rather than cooking time alone to determine doneness.

For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of beef to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F with a 3-minute rest.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Steak

Pat the steak dry first.
Excess moisture can make it harder for the outside to brown.

Use thick steaks.
Steaks around 1–1½ inches thick are easier to cook without drying out.

Don’t overcrowd the basket.
Leave enough space around the steaks for air to circulate.

Check the temperature early.
Start checking a little before the estimated cooking time is finished because air fryers vary.

Let the steak rest.
A 5-minute rest helps retain more of the juices when you cut into it.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Steak

This steak pairs well with simple side dishes such as:

• Air fryer potatoes
• Roasted vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Green beans
• Caesar salad
• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook frozen steak in the air fryer?

Yes. However, thawing the steak first usually gives you more even cooking. If you cook it from frozen, expect the cooking time to be longer and use an instant-read thermometer to check the center.

What is the best steak for the air fryer?

Ribeye, New York strip, and sirloin are good choices. For the best texture, choose steaks that are at least 1 inch thick.

Should I put oil in the air fryer basket?

You generally don’t need much oil. Brushing the steak with a small amount of olive oil is enough to help the seasoning stick and promote browning.

Why did my air fryer steak turn out tough?

The most common reason is overcooking. Steak can become dry and tough when it stays at a high temperature for too long. Use a meat thermometer instead of relying only on the cooking time.

Do I need to flip the steak?

Yes. Flipping halfway through cooking can help the steak cook more evenly, especially in smaller air fryer baskets.

How do I reheat leftover steak?

Reheat leftover steak in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. Check it frequently to avoid overcooking and drying it out.

Easy Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Butter

Learn how to make juicy Air Fryer Steak with garlic herb butter in about 20 minutes, including resting time. Made with simple seasonings and thick-cut ribeye or New York strip, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Rest Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 2 steaks

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Steak

• 2 thick-cut steaks 1 to 1.5 inches thick, ribeye or NY strip
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coarse kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary

For the Garlic Herb Butter

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 1 clove garlic finely minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped

Method

 

1. Prep the Steak: Take your steaks out of the refrigerator 15–20 minutes before cooking. Pat both sides completely dry with paper towels.
2. Season: Rub both sides with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. Season steaks generously on all sides.
3. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
4. Air Fry: Place steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

   Medium-Rare: 8–10 minutes (flip at 5 mins, internal temp 135°F).

   Medium: 10–12 minutes (flip at 6 mins, internal temp 145°F).

   Well-Done: 12–14 minutes (flip at 7 mins, internal temp 160°F+).
5. Rest & Serve: Mix softened butter, minced garlic, and fresh parsley. Top cooked steaks immediately with the garlic butter and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

• Cut Thickness: Always choose steaks that are at least 1-inch thick. Thin cuts overcook quickly before getting a nice brown exterior.
• Internal Temp: Air fryers vary in power. Use an instant-read meat thermometer for exact doneness.
• Resting: Don't skip the 5-minute rest period; it keeps the juices inside the meat.