Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
This air fryer steak has a flavorful browned crust, a tender, juicy center, and a melting garlic herb butter on top. It is a restaurant-style dinner that takes about 15 minutes with no smoky pan.
The air fryer surrounds the steak with high heat, which browns the outside while you control the inside with a simple timing chart. You can cook it rare, medium, or well done exactly the way you like.
Serve your air fryer steak with fries, mashed potatoes, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.
Another recipe in the same style: Air Fryer Pork Chops.
Choosing the Cut
- Ribeye: the most marbling and the juiciest result.
- Sirloin: leaner and good value.
- Strip steak: firm, with a strong beef flavor.
Look for steaks about 2.5 cm thick.
Air Fryer Steak Cooking Time and Temperature
| Stage | Temperature | Time |
| Rare (2.5 cm thick) | 200°C / 400°F | 7–8 minutes |
| Medium-rare | 200°C / 400°F | 9–10 minutes |
| Medium | 200°C / 400°F | 11–12 minutes |
| Well done | 200°C / 400°F | 13–15 minutes |
Air Fryer Steak Ingredients
For the Steak
- 🥩 2 steaks, ribeye, sirloin, or strip (about 2.5 cm / 1 inch thick, 250–300 g each)
- 🫒 1 tablespoon oil
- 🧂 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 🌶️ ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 🧄 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- 🧈 40 g (3 tbsp) softened butter
- 🧄 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 🌿 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 🌿 ½ teaspoon chopped rosemary or thyme
- 🧂 Pinch of salt
Equipment You’ll Need
- Paper towels
- Meat thermometer
- Small bowl
- Cutting board
How to Make Air Fryer Steak
Bring Steak to Room Temperature
Take the steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so they cook more evenly.
Make the Garlic Butter
Mix the softened butter with garlic, parsley, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Dry and Season
Pat the steaks dry, rub with oil, and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 5 minutes. A hot basket helps build a good crust.
Air Fry the Steak
Place the steaks in the basket without touching. Cook for 8–12 minutes depending on the doneness you want, flipping halfway.
Check Doneness
Use a thermometer: 52°C / 125°F for rare, 57°C / 135°F for medium-rare, 63°C / 145°F for medium, and 71°C / 160°F for well done.
Rest and Serve
Transfer the air fryer steak to a board, top with garlic butter, and rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve.
- Steak thickness changes the cooking time a lot. Always confirm doneness with a meat thermometer.
- Preheating the air fryer is important for browning.
- Resting for 5 minutes lets the juices settle; cutting too soon makes the steak dry.
- The internal temperature rises 2–3°C while resting, so remove the steak slightly early.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Steak
Variations to Try
- Pepper steak: Press crushed black peppercorns into both sides before cooking.
- Chimichurri steak: Serve with a fresh parsley and garlic chimichurri.
- Steak bites: Cut into 2.5 cm cubes and cook for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Blue cheese butter: Mix crumbled blue cheese into the butter.
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Steak
Refrigerate leftover air fryer steak in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat slices at 180°C / 355°F for 2–3 minutes just until warm, so they do not overcook. Cold steak slices are also great in salads and sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
This air fryer steak is juicy, flavorful, and ready in about 15 minutes. With a hot air fryer, a thermometer, and a spoonful of garlic butter, you can cook steak exactly how you like it.
Serve it with your favorite sides for an easy dinner that feels special. One more idea: Air Fryer Pork with Roasted Vegetables.
