Craving steak but don’t want to deal with the grill or a smoky kitchen? This Air Fryer Steak recipe is quick, crisp on the outside, tender inside, and shockingly juicy—topped with a garlicky blue cheese butter that makes it taste way fancier than it is!
The Quick Dish on Steak Air Fryer
- Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 8–11 minutes | Rest: 5 min | Total: 20 minutes
- Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American Steakhouse
- Primary Cooking Method: Air Fryer
- Dietary Info: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Keto, High-Protein
- Key Flavor: Savory, buttery, and tangy from the blue cheese
- Skill Level: Beginner! Crazy easy!
This Steak in the Air Fryer is the Recipe You Didn’t Know You Needed!
I love a good steak! Firing up the grill on a weeknight? Or babysitting a steak in a skillet — splatters and all? Heating up the oven? No thanks. Enter the air fryer.
Especially now that I’m mostly cooking for two, This is my new favorite way to cook steaks. It’s ridiculously easy, wildly juicy, and topped with a garlic blue cheese butter that takes it completely over the top. A deliciously seasoned steak in about 20 minutes.
Some of my recipe testers were a little dubious at first—air fryer steak? Really? But one friend told me she and her husband were shockingly surprised at how easy and delicious it turned out. Now it’s on their regular dinner rotation too.
And if you don’t have an air fryer, no worries—I’ll show you how to make this steak in a skillet or on the grill. But for a no-fuss, low-mess dinner? The air fryer wins every time.
Here’s what makes this one different:
- No marinade needed. We’re keeping it simple: salt, pepper, done.
- Tested in two different air fryers. Cosori and Ninja—both did great, but it crisped up a bit more in the Cosori.
- That garlic blue cheese butter. It’s salty, creamy, funky magic. Optional, but highly recommended.
Bottom line? This is my go-to for a no-stress, high-reward dinner.
Does it get the same crisp sear as pan-seared or grilling? Not quite—but honestly, you’ll be surprised at how delicious it is.
Quick, flavorful, and way less mess. That’s a win in my book.
Watch how easy it is to make this Air Fried Steak
Air Fryer Steak Recipe Ingredients
- Steak: Use high-quality steaks like boneless ribeye steaks, New York strip, filet mignon* or sirloin steaks, well marbled for the best flavor. *Ideally, choose steaks that are 1-inch thick. Bottom line: use the best cut of steak you can afford!
- Oil: Use your favorite high-heat oil here; this helps it crisp and seasonings stick.
- Salt & Pepper: Season it with kosher salt or sea salt and pepper to taste. Or use your favorite steak seasoning, try my Carrabba’s steak seasoning!
- Optional Blue Cheese Butter: You will need butter, garlic, blue cheese, and parsley! Follow my blue cheese butter recipe for more in-depth instructions.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air-Fried Steak
Step 1 – Bring the Steak to Room Temperature
Remove steaks from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry steaks with paper towels. Brush with a little oil on both sides, then season both sides of the steaks generously with salt and pepper. Or your favorite seasoning blend.
Step 2 – Make the Garlic Blue Cheese Butter
In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, blue cheese, and parsley (if using). Stir until well combined. Set aside or refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
Step 3 – Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (205 °C) for 4–5 minutes. I used a Cosori air fryer and my Ninja air fryer in testing. Truthfully, I liked the browning a bit better using the Cosori, but they both served up juicy, perfectly done delicious steaks!
Air Fryer Tip: Every air fryer runs a bit differently! Keep an eye on your steak the first time and use an instant-read thermometer for best results.
Step 4 – Air Fry the Steaks
Place steaks in the air fryer basket (not touching). Doing in batches if needed.
Air fry at 400ºF for:
- Medium-Rare steaks: 8–9 minutes (flip halfway)
- Medium: 10–12 minutes (flip halfway)
- Medium-Well: 12–13 minutes (flip halfway)
Note: Cook times may vary by air fryer model and steak thickness—use an instant read thermometer if possible. Internal temperature guide below.
Step 5 – Rest the Steak
Once done, remove the steaks and let them rest for 5 minutes. For best results, loosely tent with foil or keep in the turned-off air fryer with the drawer slightly open.
Step 6 – Top with Butter & Serve
Top each warm steak with a generous slice of the garlic blue cheese butter. It’ll melt right over the top. Slice and serve immediately.
How long to cook steak in air fryer
How long you cook your steak in the air fryer depends on how done you like it! Here’s a general guide:
- Medium-Rare: 8–9 minutes
- Medium: 10–11 minutes
- Medium-Well: 12–13 minutes
Flip halfway through for even cooking. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak! Thinner steaks may need less time, and thicker cuts a bit more. Start with the lower time range and check early—no one wants an overcooked steak. Always use an instant read thermometer for best results.
How to serve this Air Fryer Steak Recipe
Here are a few of our favorite side dishes:
- Potatoes: Air fryer hasselback potatoes, steak fries, baked potato or garlic mashed potatoes.
- Salads: Broccoli salad, steakhouse wedge salad, or Italian chopped salad.
- Vegetables: Air-fried asparagus, cauliflower broccoli gratin, green beans, Instant Pot glazed carrots, or roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli.
And if you have extra garlic herb butter? Spread it on French bread, add to your baked potato or melt it over roasted veggies!
Storing Air-Fried Steak
- Refrigerator: Store leftover steak in an airtight container for 3 days.
- Reheat: Gently warm in the air fryer or a skillet—don’t overcook or you’ll lose the juiciness.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe bag (sliced or whole) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Steak Temperature Guide:
Use this simple chart to find your perfect steak doneness, from rare to well done.
| Doneness | Pull | Final | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 115–120°F | 120–125°F | Red, very soft |
| Med-Rare | 120–125°F | 130–135°F | Warm red, soft |
| Medium | 130–135°F | 140–145°F | Pink, springy |
| Med-Well | 140–145°F | 150–155°F | Slight pink, firm |
| Well | 150°F+ | 160°F+ | No pink, firm |
Rest Tip: Let steaks rest 5 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices!
FAQs for Air Fried Steak
You can easily cook the steak in a hot skillet—sear for a few minutes per side and finish with the garlic blue cheese butter!
Yes, especially if the steak is lean—brushing it with a little olive oil helps with browning and keeps it from drying out and it will help the seasoning stick!
Yes, flip it halfway through cooking for even browning and the best crust.
How to Make This Steak Without an Air Fryer
No air fryer? Just grab a good, heavy skillet—cast iron works best!
- Bring steaks to room temperature and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil until it’s very hot but not smoking.
- Sear the steaks for about 3–4 minutes on the first side without moving them.
- Flip and cook another 2–4 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness.
- Rest for 5 minutes (covered with foil) before slicing and serving. While resting, add a pat of the compound butter.
Prefer the grill? Preheat your grill to high heat (about 450–500ºF), then grill steaks for 4–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness and doneness preference. Rest as above and finish with that delicious garlic blue cheese butter.
Pro Tip: After you flip the steak, add a spoonful of the garlic blue cheese butter to the skillet. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the steak with the melted butter for 30–60 seconds. This locks in moisture and gives every bite even richer, buttery flavor!
How to Cook Frozen Steak in the Air Fryer
Yes, you can cook steak straight from frozen in the air fryer—just adjust the time and skip the butter until the end.
- Preheat air fryer to 400ºF.
- Place frozen steak in the basket (no need to thaw). Air fry for 10 minutes, flip halfway.
- Brush with a little oil of choice, then season both sides with salt and pepper after 10 minutes—once it’s thawed and starting to brown.
- Cook for another 6-10 minutes and flip until desired doneness. Check the internal temperature of the steak using a thermometer. For a total time of about 20 minutes for a medium steak.
- Let steak rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes, then top with garlic blue cheese butter before serving.
Tip: Cooking from frozen works best with steaks 1 inch thick or less. Always check the internal temp—you’re aiming for at least 130-135ºF for medium rare.
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Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 2 steaks ribeye, NY strip, or Sirloin steaks work best, about 1–1¼ inches thick well-marbled works great here; I have made them all, I used NY Strips for this post
- 1 teaspoon oil brush with a little oil of choice, go for high-heat oils like Avocado
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt works too
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Garlic Blue Cheese Butter (optional):
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated (or jarred roasted or minced garlic)
- 1½ tablespoons crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley chopped, optional
Instructions
- Make the Garlic Blue Cheese Butter: In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, blue cheese, and parsley (if using). Stir until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 clove garlic, 1½ tablespoons crumbled blue cheese, 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
- Bring Steak to Room Temp: Remove steaks from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels. Brush with a little oil on both sides, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (205° C) for 4–5 minutes. I used a Cosori air fryer and my Ninja air fryer in testing.
- Air Fry the Steaks: Place steaks in the air fryer basket (not touching). Doing in batches if needed.
Air fry at 400ºF for:
- Medium-Rare: 8–9 minutes (flip halfway)Medium: 10–11 minutes (flip halfway)Medium-Well: 12–13 minutes (flip halfway)Note: Cook times may vary by air fryer model and steak thickness—use a meat thermometer if possible. Internal temps below.
- Rest: Once done, remove steaks and let rest for 5 minutes. For best results, loosely tent with foil or keep in the turned-off air fryer with the drawer slightly open.
- Top each warm steak with a generous spoonful or slice of the garlic blue cheese butter. It’ll melt right over the top.
Notes
- Rare: 120–125ºF
- Medium-Rare: 130–135ºF
- Medium: 140–145ºF
- Medium-Well: 150–155ºF
- Well Done: 160ºF+
- Use an instant-read thermometer for best results—air fryers vary!
- Pat the steaks dry before seasoning for a better sear.
- Don’t skip the rest time—it helps lock in the juices.
- Want it extra crispy? Lightly brush steaks with olive oil before cooking.
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