At Steak University, we talk a lot about pan-searing, grilling, and oven-cooking steak. One method we don’t cover as often is air-frying steak. In this guide, we’re focusing on this often underutilized method of cooking steak to show you that your air fryer is a worthy contender for frying up a ribeye.
Similar to pan-searing or grilling, an air fryer crisps up the outside of a ribeye while leaving the inside tender and juicy. Air frying is an excellent method to use when you want a quick meal and don’t want to dirty extra dishes to cook your steak.
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Tips and Tricks for Air Frying Steak
Consider the following helpful tips for cooking delicious air fryer steak every time.
- Warm it up: Bring your ribeye steak to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before air frying it. This warms the steak to help it cook more evenly when air frying. Right after removing it from the refrigerator, salt the steak on both sides. Then, let it rest.
- Let it rest: Resting is essential after cooking steak to keep it flavorful and juicy. Resting time also lets the steak cook for a few more minutes away from direct heat, which prevents it from drying out but still cooking to your desired doneness level. Rest your steak for 5-10 minutes at room temperature, loosely covered with foil before enjoying.
- Flip it: Although the air fryer is designed to cook meat on both sides during its cooking process, it’s still a good idea to flip the steak once halfway through its cooking time. Most air fryers cook more intensely from the top, so flipping your steak once can ensure that both sides crisp and the inner part of the steak cooks evenly.
- Use oil: Brush your favorite type of oil, like olive oil or avocado oil, onto both sides of the steak before seasoning. This allows the seasoning to adhere to the steak and helps the steak crisp nicely on both sides in the air fryer.
Prep Work for Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Prepping air fryer steak takes just a few minutes of your time. As mentioned, you’ll start by salting both sides of the steak and leaving it at room temperature to rest for 30-45 minutes before cooking it.
Just before cooking, brush oil on both sides of the steak, and season the steak with your other choice of seasonings, such as garlic powder and ground black pepper. Then, spray the air fryer tray lightly with cooking oil. Allow the air fryer to preheat to 400 degrees before adding ribeye steak to cook.
How to Make Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Air fryer ribeye steak can be ready to enjoy in about 20 minutes, from start to finish. Follow this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2-4 ribeye steaks
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Black pepper
Instructions:
- Remove steaks from the refrigerator 45 minutes before cooking. Salt them generously on both sides. Leave at room temperature.
- Five minutes before cooking, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Brush steaks with olive oil on both sides. Then, season with black pepper.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip steaks to the other side, and cook for another 5-6 minutes. Check the temperature with a steak thermometer. Steaks are ready to remove from the air fryer when they reach 125-130 degrees for medium rare.
- Rest steaks at room temperature on a plate tented with foil for 5-10 minutes. Serve, and enjoy!
Cooking Time and Internal Temperature Guide
Air fryer ribeye steak cooks to medium rare in about 10-15 minutes. However, these times can vary for a few reasons, including the type and power of your air fryer, the steak thickness, and the number of steaks cooked at one time. Medium-rare steaks should be removed when your thermometer reaches 125-130 degrees.
Medium ribeye steak cooks in about 12-17 minutes in an air fryer and is ready to rest at 135 degrees. For medium-well steak, cook for 15-20 minutes, removing the steak from the air fryer when it reaches 145 degrees. Well-done steak needs closer to 20 minutes and should cook to 155 degrees before resting.
Side Dishes For Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Not sure what to serve with air fryer steak? Here are some of the best options. You can also browse Steak University for additional side dish ideas to round out your meal.
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Since you already have your air fryer prepped and ready to go, air fryer onion rings are a logical side dish to make alongside your ribeye steak. Best of all, you can cook them while your ribeye steak rests. To prepare them, dip onion rings into a seasoned flour mixture, followed by beaten eggs and, finally, bread crumbs. Place floured rings into the air fryer basket, drizzle them with olive oil, and cook them at 385 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is an excellent alternative to traditional white potatoes for a different flavor and extra fiber. Try swapping baked potatoes with baked sweet potatoes to serve with your air fryer ribeye steak for a simple, no-fuss side dish.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish option for just about any steak, including air-fried ribeye. Add some extra flavor and zing to your mashed potatoes by incorporating roasted garlic. Place 5-6 garlic cloves in aluminum foil and drizzle with oil. Fold up the sides of the foil loosely around the garlic cloves. Place the foil pack on a baking tray and roast at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes while your steak comes to room temperature prior to cooking. Mash the garlic cloves with a fork before mixing them into the potatoes.
Sauteed Mushrooms
Mushrooms make for a light, yet savory side that goes perfectly with a freshly air-fried steak. Serve the sauteed mushrooms on the side or atop your steak.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Wrap a slice of bacon or turkey bacon around 8-10 stalks of asparagus. Make one bundle for each person. Drizzle the bundles with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the asparagus is tender and the bacon crisps.
Conclusion: How to Make Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Are you ready to enjoy air fryer ribeye steak at home? First, make sure you have high-quality steaks ready to go. Order hand-cut ribeye online from Chicago Steak Company to have delivered to your home. We flash-freeze and individually seal each steak to preserve its freshness as it arrives and ensure your satisfaction.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak FAQs
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Ingredients
- 2-4 ribeye steaks
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- olive oil
Instructions
- Remove steaks from the refrigerator 45 minutes before cooking. Salt them generously on both sides. Leave at room temperature
- Five minutes before cooking, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Brush steaks with olive oil on both sides. Then, season with black pepper
- Cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip steaks to the other side, and cook for another 5-6 minutes. Check the temperature with a steak thermometer. Steaks are ready to remove from the air fryer when they reach 125-130 degrees for medium rare
- Rest steaks at room temperature on a plate tented with foil for 5-10 minutes. Serve, and enjoy!