Air Fryer Steak: Juicy, Tender & Easy

Updated September 30, 2025

The Perfect Air Fryer Steak Recipe (with Garlic-Herb Butter)

Once again the air fryer pulls through with a new favorite—and honestly, the air fryer has become my favorite way to cook steak. I still love my air fryer salmon and air fryer donuts, but air fryer steak makes it so easy to get a great crust and a juicy center without babysitting a grill or heating the whole kitchen. Pair it with my quick garlic-herb butter and dinner is done.

Author note: I tested this recipe multiple times in a Cosori Pro II basket model and cross-checked in another brand to confirm timing. Stacy routinely cooks expensive cuts in her Typhur air fryer and they come out tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly to order—the key is using an instant-read thermometer, understanding carryover cooking (pull steaks a few degrees before your target), and letting them rest so the juices don’t run out on the cutting board.

Watch: Step-by-step in this YouTube video.

Jump to Recipe • Jump to FAQs • Jump to Time & Temps

Ingredients and Supplies for The Perfect Air Fryer Steak Recipe

Steak Ingredients

• Ribeye steaks (about 1½-inch thick)
• Avocado oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Garlic-Herb Butter

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Minced garlic
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt (reduce if butter is salted)

Supplies

• Cutting board
• Paper towels
• Instant-read meat thermometer
• Air fryer (Cosori Pro II)

Is Air Frying a Steak Good?

1. All-season cooking: Skip freezing on the patio or overheating the house—air fry year-round.
2. Even, repeatable results: Small chamber + steady heat = a great crust and reliable doneness.
3. Hands-off: Season, air fry, flip once, temp near the end—minimal babysitting.
4. Less mess than pan-searing: No splatter cleanup on the stove.

What Cut of Steak Is Best for the Air Fryer?

• Ribeye: Excellent marbling for flavor and tenderness (top pick).
• New York strip: Choose a prominent fat cap and visible marbling.
• Thickness: Aim for ~1½-inch steaks for the best crust-to-center ratio.
• Butcher tip: Ask for the most marbled ribeye/strip available that day.

How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Temper the Steak

Let steaks sit at room temp (20–30 minutes depending on thickness) for even cooking.

Step 2: Oil & Mix the Butter

Pat dry very well. Rub lightly with a high-smoke-point oil (I use avocado). Mix softened butter with parsley, garlic, Worcestershire, and salt.

Step 3: Season Liberally

Salt generously (don’t forget the sides). Add pepper to taste.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating is a must for steak: 400°F (200°C) for at least 5 minutes.

Pro tip: Briefly start the fatty edge down to help render the fat.

Step 5: Air Fry

Cook 10–16 minutes total, flipping and rotating halfway. Use an instant-read thermometer to nail your doneness.

Step 6: Pull Early for Carryover & Rest

Carryover cooking is real: pull steaks a few degrees before your target temp, then rest for half the cook time so juices redistribute (and stay in the steak, not on the board). Top with garlic-herb butter to melt as it rests. You can rest on a rack or in the turned-off, closed basket.

Air Fryer Steak Time & Internal Temperature Guide

Time varies by steak thickness and air fryer model; a 1½-inch steak typically takes ~15 minutes total. Always temp to be sure. For food-safety guidance, see the USDA’s Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures. For an in-depth look at steak doneness and searing science, see Serious Eats.

• Rare: 125°F / 52°C
• Medium-Rare: 130–135°F / 54–57°C
• Medium: 140–145°F / 60–63°C
• Medium-Well: 150°F / 66°C
• Well-Done: 160°F / 71°C

Carryover tip: If you want 130–135°F (medium-rare), pull steaks at ~125–130°F and let rest.

Grab our handy Air Fryer Temp Chart for more quick reference times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to flip steak in the air fryer?

Yes—flip and rotate once halfway for the most even browning. Handle as little as possible for better crust.

Can I cook steak from frozen in the air fryer?

Yes. Add several minutes to the total time and temp diligently with an instant-read thermometer. For best results, thaw, dry thoroughly, and season liberally.

Do I need to marinate steak before air frying?

Not required for ribeye or strip (good marbling). A dry brine (salt 30–60 minutes ahead) boosts flavor and browning.

What’s the best temperature for air fryer steak?

Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Use internal temp for doneness, not the dial—see the guide above and don’t forget carryover cooking.

Which steaks work best?

Get the best marbled ribeye or New York strip you can. Ask your butcher for the most marbled cuts available that day (~1½-inch thick).

Garlic-Herb Butter (mini recipe)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ tbsp chopped parsley
• ½ tsp minced garlic
• ¼ tsp Worcestershire
• ⅛ tsp salt (omit if butter is salted)

Mix and chill into a small log or use immediately.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak

• Air Fryer Asparagus or Roasted Asparagus
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Summer Squash
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Roasted Melting Potatoes
• Green Salad
• Breadsticks
• Planning Father’s Day? See our Father’s Day recipes.

Air Fryer Steak - Perfect Every Time

It is easy to get perfect results every time with this air fryer steak recipe! Top it off with delicious garlic herb butter. Yum!

4.71 / 5 ( 51 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 Ribeye steaks 1 1/2 inches thick
• avocado oil
• salt and pepper

Garlic Herb Butter

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• ½ tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Temper the steak by letting it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
• Prepare the garlic butter by mixing together the softened butter, parsley, garlic, Worcestershire, and salt.
• Pat steaks dry with paper towels, then rub a little bit of oil over the steak and bottom of air fryer basket. Liberally season steaks with salt and pepper.
• Preheat air fryer to 400 °F for 10 minutes.
• Once preheated, place steaks in air fryer.
• Air fry for 10-16 minutes, flipping and rotating halfway through. Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer and thickness of steaks. Internal temperature of steak should be 130 °F - 135 °F for medium-rare or 140 °F - 145 °F for medium.
• Remove steak from air fryer and place on baking rack. Top with garlic butter and allow to rest for 1/2 the time it took to cook. Alternatively, turn off air fryer, leaving steaks in it, top steaks with butter, close air fryer and let rest for half the amount of time it took to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 22g | Sodium: 137mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 0.1g

Recipe Adapted From: My Forking Life (Herb Butter)

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