How To Cook Steak In The Air Fryer Without Drying It Out

A chef from a steakhouse taught me how to cook steak in the air fryer, so the outside gets nicely browned and the middle stays juicy, even if you like your steak medium well or well done. So let’s give it a try and see how this steak comes out.

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Check out my Air Fryer Steak Recipe video below to see how this buttery ribeye comes out browned, juicy, and so good. If you enjoy the video, hit like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.

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Why you’ll love this air fryer steak

Let’s be honest, cooking steak can feel a little tricky when you want the outside browned but still want the middle to stay juicy. This way makes it feel more doable because the air fryer handles the heat, and the butter helps the steak get that nice color on top.

I also love that this air fryer ribeye steak is not only for people who like rare steak. You can cook it more on the medium well or well done side and still keep it juicy, as long as you check the middle and do not just guess from the timer.

Texture and flavor

The outside gets browned, buttery, and a little crisp in spots. The butter melts over the top as the steak cooks, and you can really see how much color it gives the steak without using a pan or grill.

Inside, it stays juicy because the steak starts cold. That gives the outside more time to brown before the middle cooks too far. How can you not love that?

Air Fryer Steak Ingredients

This recipe makes 1 serving.

• 1 ribeye steak, about 10 ounces (280 grams)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (28 to 42 grams)
• About half a teaspoon of salt, or a bit less if you use salted butter

Note: This recipe does not use oil, garlic powder, paprika, steak seasoning, or any extra spices before cooking. It is just steak, butter, and salt.

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Tongs
• Meat thermometer
• Small spoon
• Plate or cutting board

How to cook steak in the air fryer

Step 1: Butter the cold steak

I got this nice 10-ounce ribeye steak, which is about 280 grams, and I just took it straight from the fridge, so it is still cold when I start cooking. The chef told me that part really matters with an air fryer, because the steak needs time to brown on the outside before the middle cooks too far.

Now I am going to cover the top with 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter and spread it on nice and thick, almost like I am giving the steak a butter blanket.

The butter I am using here is unsalted butter, but if you have salted butter, just add a bit less salt later. As it melts, it is going to help the steak brown, add more flavor, and keep it juicy.

After that, I am adding about half a teaspoon of salt right over the butter, and that’s it, the steak is ready to go in the air fryer.

Top Tip: The butter should be soft enough to spread, but not melted and runny. You want it to sit on top of the steak when it first goes into the air fryer.

Step 2: Cook the steak

Next, place the steak right in the middle of the air fryer basket with the butter facing up, so the heat can reach it from all sides while it cooks. I did not preheat my air fryer first, so keep that in mind when you follow the time.

Set the air fryer to air fry at 400°F (200°C), and start it for about 17 minutes.

After 17 minutes, open the basket and check the steak with a meat thermometer, because the temperature in the middle tells you how cooked it really is.

Top Tip: Put the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak, not the thin edge. The middle is the part that tells you if the steak is really done to your liking.

Step 3: Check the temperature

Mine is showing 63°C, which is about 145°F, so if you like your steak still a little pink in the middle, you can stop cooking now.

I like mine more on the well-done side, so I am going to put it back in the air fryer for 1 more minute and check it again.

Note: For food safety, whole beef steaks should reach at least 145°F and rest for at least 3 minutes. I like resting this steak for about 5 to 6 minutes because it helps the juices settle before slicing.

Step 4: Rest with butter

The steak definitely looks ready for my liking now, so I am going to cut it open and see how it came out. The outside has such a nice brown sear from the butter, and you can really see how much color it gave the steak without using a pan or grill.

Before slicing, I will just add some of that hot, melted butter from the air fryer basket on top, so the steak gets even more of that buttery flavor. There is already so much flavor sitting down there from the steak and the butter cooking together, so I do not want to waste it.

Let the steak rest for about 5 to 6 minutes before cutting into it.

Step 5: Cut it open

Now let’s cut into the middle and see what we have, because this is the part where you can really tell how the air fryer cooked it.

Honestly, this looks quite perfect to me. It is still nice and juicy inside, the outside has that browned butter crust, and it is cooked just the way I like it.

So the total cooking time for this steak was 18 minutes, but next time I might try just 17 minutes max, just to see if I can keep it a tiny bit juicier while still getting that same nice color on the outside.

What temperature to cook a steak in an air fryer

For this recipe, set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). That is the cooking temperature used for the steak, and the time starts at about 17 minutes.

The most important part is still the temperature in the middle of the steak. Mine showed 63°C, which is about 145°F, after 17 minutes. That is a good point to stop if you like the steak still a little pink inside.

If you like it more on the well-done side, put it back in for 1 more minute and check again.

How long to cook a steak in an air fryer, medium well

For this 10-ounce ribeye steak, start with about 17 minutes at 400°F (200°C). If the steak is around 145°F in the middle and you want it cooked a little more, add 1 more minute and check again.

Do not add a big chunk of time at the end. Once the steak is close, even 1 or 2 minutes can change the inside.

How long to cook a steak in an air fryer, well done

For this recipe, the total cooking time was 18 minutes because the steak went back in for 1 more minute after the first temperature check.

If you like steak well done, use the thermometer and go slowly near the end. The steak can still be juicy, but only if you do not leave it in too long after it reaches the doneness you like.

Related Recipe: If you like cooking meat in your air fryer, then check out my air fryer ground beef recipe here too. It is so delicious, really easy to make, and such a good dinner idea when you want something simple but still filling.

Helpful air fryer steak tips

• Start with the steak cold, straight from the fridge. That is the main point of this method, and it helps the outside brown before the middle cooks too far.
• Use enough butter to cover the top in a thick layer. The butter helps with browning, flavor, and juiciness.
• Do not preheat the air fryer for this version if you are following the same timing. If you preheat first, the steak may cook faster, so check it earlier.
• Use a thermometer instead of guessing. The timer helps, but the middle temperature tells you what is really happening.

Storage and reheating

If you have leftover steak, let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat it, use the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, just until warmed through. Keep an eye on it because cooked steak can dry out quickly the second time.

What to serve with air fryer steak

This steak is rich and buttery, so simple sides work really well. I love it with air fryer fries, roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, a green salad, or a baked potato.

You can also slice leftover steak and use it in sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls, or a quick steak salad. Super easy, and so delicious.

More air fryer meat recipes

If you like cooking meat in your air fryer, check out more easy air fryer recipes below.

• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe – This pork tenderloin comes out tender, juicy, and full of flavor with a perfectly seasoned crust made right in the air fryer.
• Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly – Enjoy ultra-crispy crackling and succulent pork belly with this easy air fryer recipe that delivers impressive results every time.
• How I Make Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer – Learn how to cook a whole chicken that is juicy on the inside and beautifully golden on the outside using your air fryer.

And if you have any questions about this air fryer steak recipe, leave them in the comments below or in the YouTube video comments. I’ll try to respond to all the comments and questions.