Air frying might be one of the newer cooking methods on the block, but it’s one you shouldn’t gloss over — even when a yummy steak dinner is on the menu. Porterhouse is one of many cuts of steak that perform incredibly well in the air fryer, giving you the outer crisp and tender interior you want from a high-quality steak.
Save time and mess in the kitchen by learning how to cook porterhouse steak in the air fryer.
Choosing the Right Cut
Whether you’re cooking porterhouse steak in an air fryer, on the grill, or in a pan, the general rules of finding the best cut stand. First and foremost, you should look for a cut that’s around 1 ½ inches thick or thicker. This is the optimal size to balance a crispy exterior and a precisely cooked interior. Too thin, and you could overcook the steak under the direct, intense heat of the air fryer. You’ll also want to look for a porterhouse with a well-defined, generous portion of both the strip side and the tenderloin side. If the tenderloin section is too small, you’re veering closer to T-bone territory, which has its merits but isn’t a porterhouse.
Your next focus point should be marbling, which are thin streaks of fat that add flavor and moisture to steak. That’s a bonus when cooking with dry heat like an air fryer. Seek out steaks with visible but not excessive marbling — too much fat won’t have enough time to cook down in the air fryer, which could leave you with some chewy bites. Color matters, too. Look for deep red coloring from raw porterhouse rather than a dull brown, gray, or pink. The fresh, vibrant color suggests high quality and freshness.
Finally, keep an eye on the grade. Ask your butcher if it’s USDA Prime or Choice. Prime usually brings a bit more marbling, which translates to extra tenderness, but Choice is also a good option if you want something a little friendlier on the budget. Or, for the simplest option that ensures quality, order porterhouse online from Chicago Steak Company without stepping into the store.
Why Cook Porterhouse in the Air Fryer?
Cooking porterhouse steak in an air fryer can simplify the process while still yielding a flavorful, tender result as you’d expect from one of the most prized steak cuts. When you use an air fryer, you get the benefits of concentrated, even heat that circulates the steak, helping to lock in moisture and create a nice sear on the outside, similar to what you’d get from grilling or pan-searing. But unlike grilling, you don’t have to worry about outdoor weather conditions, maintaining an exact temperature, or cleaning up a messy grill afterward. The air fryer’s set-it-and-forget-it cooking technique also means you can focus on prepping sides while your steak cooks.
Compared to cooking in an oven or on the stove, the air fryer heats up quicker and avoids some of the splattering mess you might get in a skillet. The air fryer also doesn’t require any oil beyond a light coating to prevent sticking, which is good news for anyone who’s looking to cook with less fat. For anyone who values convenience and consistency, the air fryer offers a solid way to enjoy a high-quality porterhouse with fewer steps and less cleanup.
Preparing the Porterhouse
Give yourself about 30 minutes for porterhouse steak preparation before cooking it. Let your steak rest at room temperature during this time to help its temperature become more even throughout. When you cook, this step can prevent your steak from cooking on the outside but not enough on the inside. After this time is up, pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove moisture and help it crisp in the air fryer.
Now, it’s time to season your steak. Coat the steak in a light layer of oil or cooking spray first to help the seasoning adhere to the outside. Use a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides, making sure you also get the edges of the steak. You can also add other seasonings you’d like here, from garlic powder to cayenne pepper — whatever you want for the flavor profile you’re going for. A premade steak seasoning blend can also work well.
While a marinade is optional, it can also be a good way to flavor your porterhouse. If using a marinade, let the steak marinate in the refrigerator for at least two hours before cooking. Then, remove it from the marinade, pat it dry, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preparing the Air Fryer
It’s important to prepare the air fryer correctly to get the results you’re looking for. But don’t worry — it’s not difficult to do. Here are the steps to take:
- Clean the Basket or Tray: Double-check your air fryer for leftover crumbs or residue from previous meals. It’s not a bad idea to do a quick clean and rinse, just to make sure everything is good to go. Even minor food debris can affect airflow, create unwanted smoke, and even add flavors you don’t want to your steak. Be sure to dry the air fryer thoroughly after washing.
- Position the Rack: If your air fryer has a rack, use it. This way, the air fryer can circulate hot air more evenly around all sides of the steak for more consistent cooking. It also keeps the steak from coming into contact with escaping juices that could keep it from getting crispy.
- Preheat Properly: Usually, preheating an air fryer is a good move, despite what some cooks say. It helps get the air fryer up to the ideal temperature for more even heating, which is crucial with steak. Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.
- Spray the Rack or Basket: Before placing the steak in the basket, spray the basket or rack with a light layer of cooking spray, which can keep your steak from sticking when cooking.
Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Porterhouse Steak
We’ll outline an easy-to-follow recipe for air fryer porterhouse steak below, but before you get started, check out these tips to help you prepare:
- Consider the size of the steak: Porterhouse is a big cut, generally, so it may not work for smaller air fryers. Consider this before getting started. Your steak should fit comfortably inside the basket with enough room around its sides for air to flow properly. If your air fryer is too small, it might be better to stick with an oven or stove cook.
- Positioning is key: If your air fryer tends to heat more on one side than another — this can happen in some air fryers, depending on where the heating element is — position your porterhouse’s thickest side toward the hotter area to help it cook more evenly.
- Check temperature early: Air fryers all cook a bit differently, so take recipe times with a grain of… ahem, salt. It’s okay to pause the air fryer to check the steak’s temperature during the cooking process, just to make sure the steak isn’t overcooking.
Air Fryer Porterhouse Steak Recipe
Follow along with this basic recipe to perfectly air fry porterhouse steak.
Ingredients
- 1 porterhouse steak
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to rest at room temperature.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Spray with a light layer of cooking spray (or drizzle a light layer of olive oil) and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Spray the air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the steak to the prepared air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes before flipping to the other side and cooking for another 8 minutes.
- Check that the internal temperature of the steak is between 125°F to 130°F for medium-rare. If not, or you want a cook of medium or higher, air fry for another 2 minutes or so until your desired temperature is reached.
- Rest the steak on a plate tented with foil for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Place 1 tbsp of butter over the steak while it rests for a smooth, buttery finish.
Notes
Not sure what temperature to cook your steak to if you want medium, medium-well, or well-done? Check out this steak temperature guide.
Recipe Variations
Plain salt and pepper not your thing? That’s okay! Here are a few ways to spice up the recipe once you’ve gotten the hang of air frying porterhouse:
- Rosemary-Garlic Porterhouse: Rub the steak with minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and a drizzle of olive oil before air frying. Then add a sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper. The rosemary and garlic will add even more savory flavors for a twist on classic steak.
- Smoky Paprika and Chili Flakes: If you prefer a little heat, add some smoked paprika and chili flakes to the traditional sprinkle of salt and pepper. This adds a slight kick and a smoky flavor to your juicy porterhouse.
- Blue Cheese Butter: After cooking, top the steak with a pat of blue cheese compound butter. To make it, whip together softened butter, crumbled blue cheese, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Let it melt over the hot porterhouse for a creamy and tangy finish.
Conclusion: Get Started with Air Fryer Porterhouse
The air fryer is a convenient and straightforward way to cook a porterhouse with little cleanup and guesswork. Whether you season simply with salt and pepper or experiment with bold spices, you’ll end up with a juicy interior and a beautifully browned crust. Pay attention to timing, let the steak rest, and consider adding herb butter for a finishing touch to create a satisfying meal.
Ready to try a premium cut of porterhouse? Order online from Chicago Steak Company. We have USDA Prime wet-aged and dry-aged porterhouse and Premium Angus beef porterhouse that we hand-cut and flash-freeze to maintain qualify while en route to you.
Air Fryer Porterhouse Steak
Ingredients
- 1 porterhouse steak
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to rest at room temperature.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Spray with a light layer of cooking spray (or drizzle a light layer of olive oil) and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Spray the air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the steak to the prepared air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes before flipping to the other side and cooking for another 8 minutes.
- Check that the internal temperature of the steak is between 125°F to 130°F for medium-rare. If not, or you want a cook of medium or higher, air fry for another 2 minutes or so until your desired temperature is reached.
- Rest the steak on a plate tented with foil for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Place 1 tbsp of butter over the steak while it rests for a smooth, buttery finish.