How to Cook Steak in Air Fryer
How to Cook Steak in Air Fryer
This website is independent and not affiliated with Miller & Carter. It is a cooking guide for home use, written for the United Kingdom.
To cook steak in an air fryer, bring the steak to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, pat it dry, rub it with a little oil and season it, then cook at 200°C for 8 to 12 minutes depending on your preferred doneness, flipping halfway through. Rest the steak for 5 minutes before serving, and always check the centre with a food thermometer.
Why an Air Fryer Works Well for Steak
An air fryer cooks with fast circulating hot air, which browns the outside of the steak while keeping the cooking time short. It is quicker to heat up than an oven, and there is less mess than pan frying because the cooking happens inside the basket. It will not give you the deep sear of a ripping hot cast iron pan, but for a weeknight steak it is a simple and reliable option.
What You Need Before You Start
You do not need much. A steak about 2.5cm thick works best, because thicker cuts can burn on the outside before the centre is done. A neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or sunflower oil, helps the outside brown. Salt and cracked black pepper are enough for seasoning, though you can add garlic powder or dried herbs if you like. An instant read food thermometer is the one tool worth owning, because it is the only reliable way to tell when the steak is done.
How to Cook Steak in Air Fryer: Step by Step
- Bring the steak to room temperature. Take it out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly.
- Pat it dry. Use kitchen paper on both sides. A dry surface browns far better than a damp one.
- Oil and season. Rub a thin coat of oil over both sides, then season generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 200°C and let it heat for about 5 minutes.
- Cook the steak. Lay it flat in the basket with space around it so the hot air can move. Cook for the time shown in the table below, opening the basket to flip the steak halfway through.
- Check the temperature. Push the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and compare the reading with the doneness guide below.
- Rest the steak. Move it to a warm plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise slightly as it rests, and the juices will settle.
Air Fryer Steak Times and Temperatures
These timings are for a steak about 2.5cm thick at 200°C. Every air fryer runs slightly differently, so use the times as a starting point and the thermometer as the final answer.
| Doneness | Cooking time at 200°C | Approximate internal temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Medium rare | 8 minutes, flipping halfway | 54 to 57°C |
| Medium | 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway | 60 to 63°C |
| Medium well | 12 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway | 65 to 68°C |
| Well done | 13 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway | 71°C |
Last checked: 13 October 2026. Timings and temperatures are approximate guides. For food safety, whole beef steaks should reach at least 63°C at the centre, following USDA/FoodSafety.gov guidance. Use a thermometer to check.
Which Cuts Work Best in an Air Fryer
Ribeye and sirloin are the most popular choices because their size and shape fit the basket well. Rump steak also works, though it is leaner, so watch the timing to keep it juicy. Thin steaks cook very fast, so reduce the time if your steak is much under 2.5cm thick. Cook steaks one at a time or with space between them, because crowding the basket traps steam and stops the outside browning.
Tips for a Better Result
Do not skip the room temperature rest at the start, as a cold steak can be grey on the outside before the middle is warm. Press the seasoning into the meat so it sticks during cooking. A small knob of butter on top of the steak during the rest adds flavour. If the outside is browning too fast on your air fryer, lower the temperature by 10°C and add a minute or two.
If you would rather leave the cooking to someone else, you can book a table and let the steakhouse do the work, or check the offers page for a deal. The main menu shows what a restaurant meal looks like for comparison.
FAQs
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for steak?
Yes. A preheated basket sears the outside of the steak from the moment it goes in, which gives better browning. Heat the air fryer at 200°C for about 5 minutes first.
Should I flip the steak in the air fryer?
Yes. Flip it once at the halfway mark so both sides cook evenly and brown properly.
How do I know when air fryer steak is done?
Use an instant read thermometer in the thickest part. Aim for the internal temperature that matches your preferred doneness in the table above.
Can I cook two steaks at once in the air fryer?
Only if they fit with space around each one. If the basket is small, cook them one at a time for the best result.
Cooking guide checked against published air fryer steak methods on 13 October 2026. Timings vary by air fryer model and steak thickness, so always use a thermometer. This website is independent and not affiliated with Miller & Carter.
