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Yields:
4 - 6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
The air fryer isn't just for frying! It’s also an incredibly handy tool to replace roasting in the oven or cooking on the stove. This air fryer recipe can save your house from a smoke-filled searing episode and still deliver a crusty, perfectly-cooked steak—just how you like it! The zesty garlic-cilantro butter give this steak dinner some restaurant-worthy flair, but don't forget a delicious potato side dishes to round out the hearty meal.
Do steaks brown in an air fryer?
They sure do! The magic of an air fryer is that hot air circulates on all sides of the food which leads to a steak with a perfect crust on every inch.
How long does it take to cook steak in an air fryer?
A steak about 1-inch thick will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook to medium-rare in an air fryer. If your steak is thicker, you may want to add 2 to 5 minutes of cook time in order to reach medium-rare (or more, if your desired end result is medium-well).
Do you need to flip steak in an air fryer?
There are different schools of thought on flipping steaks in the air fryer. Because of an air fryer's powerful ability to circulate hot air around food, you technically do not need to flip. Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.
How do you cook a steak in the air fryer without drying it out?
It's easy—use a meat thermometer! Every air fryer is a little different, so the best way to cook a steak to your preferred doneness is by using a meat thermometer. If you like your steak on the rarer side, begin testing the temperature after cooking it for three minutes on the second side. Find out what temperature to look for below.
What is the best temperature to cook a steak?
This depends on personal taste! See the list below to see what you should look for on your thermometer when cooking a steak.
Rare: 125ºF
Medium rare: 135ºF
Medium: 145ºF
Medium-well: 155ºF
Well-done: Anything beyond 165ºF
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Ingredients
For the Air Fryer Steak:
- 2 lb.
New York strip steaks (2 steaks, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)
- 1 Tbsp.
olive oil
- 2 tsp.
Tex-Mex seasoning blend
- 1 tsp.
brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp.
salt
- 1/4 tsp.
ground black pepper
For the Garlic-Cilantro Butter:
- 3 Tbsp.
salted butter, softened
- 1 Tbsp.
fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1
clove garlic, finely grated or chopped
- 1/2 tsp.
lime zest
- 1/4 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp.
black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
Directions
- Step 1For the steaks: Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 2For the garlic-cilantro butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, cilantro, garlic, lime zest, salt, pepper, and cayenne, if using. Mash with a fork to combine and mix well. Transfer the butter to a piece of plastic wrap and roll into a little log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the Tex-Mex seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Step 4Brush the steaks all over with the olive oil, then sprinkle on both sides with the spice mixture.
- Step 5Place in a single layer in an air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 7 minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for an additional 3 to 7 minutes, or until the temperature of the steak is at around 135°F, for medium-rare.
- Step 6Cut slices from the butter and set over top of the hot steak. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Tip: If you don't have a Tex-Mex seasoning spice blend, combine 1 teaspoon of ground cumin with 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
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