To make steak in an air fryer, pat two 1-inch-thick top sirloin steaks (about 1.5 lb total) dry, rub them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika, and let them sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, air fry the steaks for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 130 to 135°F for medium-rare (or 145°F for USDA-recommended doneness), then top them with garlic-thyme butter and rest them for 5 minutes before slicing. It makes 4 servings at roughly 290 calories and 37 g protein each.
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs to garnish
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or parsley
1 lemon wedge, to serve
How Do You Make Steak in an Air Fryer?
Dry and season: Pat the steaks very dry with paper towels. Rub them all over with the olive oil, then season both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes while you make the butter.
Make the garlic-herb butter: Mash the softened butter with the minced garlic, thyme leaves and rosemary or parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes so the steaks start searing as soon as they go in.
Air fry: Place the steaks in a single layer with space around them, one per basket on a dual basket air fryer. Add the whole garlic cloves alongside if using. Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Check the temperature: Check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer: 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium. The USDA recommends 145°F followed by a 3-minute rest. Add 1 to 2 minutes at a time if needed.
Butter and rest: Transfer the steaks to a board, spread the garlic-herb butter over the tops and rest them for 5 minutes so the juices settle (the temperature rises a few degrees as they rest).
Slice and serve: Slice against the grain into 1/2-inch strips, spoon over any butter and juices, garnish with thyme sprigs and the roasted garlic, and serve with a squeeze of lemon.
Dual basket tip: Cook one steak per basket so hot air reaches every side, and use Match Cook (or set both baskets to 400°F for 12 minutes) so they finish together. Want a side at the same time? Put the steak in one basket and green beans or broccoli in the other and let Sync Finish end them together. On a dual-zone oven like the Ivation 32 Qt, you can cook up to four steaks on the large rack in one zone while potatoes roast in the other.
New pick: Ivation 32 Qt Dual Zone OvenA French-door dual-zone oven with a removable divider, Sync, rotisserie and a 450°F max: room for four steaks plus a side.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Steak? (Estimated)
Per serving (1/4 of the recipe, about 4.5 oz cooked steak): about 290 calories, 14 g fat (5.5 g saturated), 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g sugar, 37 g protein, about 115 mg cholesterol and about 520 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for raw trimmed top sirloin, olive oil, butter, garlic and dried spices. A restaurant ribeye of the same weight with a pat of compound butter can run 450 to 550 calories.
Salad: sliced over arugula with cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmesan and a lemon-olive oil dressing
What Are Some Flavor Variations?
Chimichurri: skip the butter and spoon over a quick sauce of parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil
Steak bites: cut the sirloin into 1-inch cubes, toss with the seasoning and air fry at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway
Coffee-rubbed: add 1 tsp finely ground coffee and 1/2 tsp chili powder to the rub
Asian-style: marinate for 30 minutes in low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, garlic and a little honey, and finish with sesame seeds and scallions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook steak in the air fryer?
For 1-inch-thick sirloin, ribeye or strip steaks, air fry at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway: about 10 to 11 minutes for medium-rare and 12 to 14 minutes for medium. Thinner 3/4-inch steaks take 7 to 9 minutes, and 1.5-inch steaks take 14 to 18 minutes. Always check with a thermometer.
What temperature should steak be when it is done?
Pull steak at about 130 to 135°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium and 150°F for medium-well, then rest it for 5 minutes. The USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of beef to 145°F with a 3-minute rest.
Is air fryer steak healthy?
Yes. Top sirloin is one of the leanest steak cuts, and this recipe uses only 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter for 1.5 lb of meat. We estimate about 290 calories, 37 g protein and 1 g carbohydrate per serving, so it suits high-protein and low-carb eating. These are estimates.
Do you need to flip steak in the air fryer?
Yes, flip it once halfway through. The bottom of the steak sits on the crisper plate and browns less than the top, so flipping gives you an even crust on both sides.
Can you cook frozen steak in the air fryer?
Yes. Season the frozen steak, then air fry at 400°F for about 18 to 22 minutes for a 1-inch steak, flipping halfway, until it reaches your target temperature. Thawed steaks brown better, so thaw overnight in the fridge when you can.
What is the best cut of steak for the air fryer?
Steaks about 1 inch thick work best. Top sirloin is lean and affordable, strip (New York) steak is a little richer, and ribeye is the juiciest but highest in fat. Very thin cuts such as skirt steak can overcook before they brown.
