Skirt steak is one of the best types of steak to grab when you want loads of satisfying steak flavor. Cooking it in an air fryer offers a convenient, practically mess-free way to enjoy perfectly cooked steak with minimal effort. Read this guide to learn the steps for preparing your skirt steak and the air fryer, cooking skirt steak, and varying the recipe to keep your taste buds happy.
Why the Air Fryer?
Using an air fryer isn’t typical for steak, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do it. The main reason people use air fryers is because they’re convenient. Instead of heating up a whole oven and waiting several minutes for the meat to cook, the air fryer can significantly cut down on cooking time, as it has a much smaller area to contain heat.
With skirt steak specifically, an air fryer provides even cooking with its circulating air to help this thin cut of steak heat thoroughly and evenly without overcooking. The air fryer works quickly, which is exactly what skirt steak needs. It’ll sear on the outside in a few minutes and continue cooking through the inside without overdrying the meat.
Another benefit of the air fryer is the reduced risk of flare-ups. Unlike grilling, where steak with high fat content (like skirt steak) can cause flames, the air fryer minimizes this issue. The air fryer is also great for small kitchens, as it eliminates the need for bulky grills or stovetops.
Preparing the Skirt Steak
Proper preparation can help you get the skirt steak results you’re looking for from the air fryer. Luckily, you don’t need to do much to get this delicious steak cut ready.
Start by patting the steak dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which the outside sear better. Then, trim any excess fat hanging off the steak, as it won’t render down during the quick cook of the air fryer. Once you’ve done that, lightly coat the steak with olive oil to help it crisp in the air fryer and to allow the spices to adhere better. Then you can apply a spice rub to the steak. For our recipe, we use a simple spice blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
If you’re marinating, allow the steak to soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for better flavor and tenderness. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry before air frying.
Preparing the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, which usually takes 3-5 minutes. This helps the steak sear immediately and lock in juices.
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a layer of olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Use the air fryer basket’s rack if you have one to keep the steak separated from any escaping juices, which can prevent the searing effect.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Follow these steps to help your skirt steak cook its best in the air fryer:
- Skirt steak benefits from bold flavors, so don’t hesitate to add extra seasoning or spices to the rub.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a built-in wire basket, place the steak on a wire rack to ensure hot air circulates evenly underneath and to let juices drip down and away from the meat.
- Skirt steak can vary in thickness. Adjust your cooking time based on the thickest part to avoid undercooking or overcooking thinner sections.
- After cooking, cover the steak loosely with aluminum foil while it rests. This is optional, but it can help keep the steak warm and juicy as it rests.
- Always slice the skirt steak against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and can cut down on chewiness.
Achieving Desired Doneness
We won’t sugarcoat it: it’s important to keep an eye on your air fryer skirt steak to prevent it from overcooking. Skirt steak is thin by nature, so it shouldn’t need as much time as, say, a thick ribeye to reach your desired doneness level.
The good thing about air fryers is that they usually come with a pause button to pause cooking so you can check on your food without having to restart the cooking cycle. Take advantage of this feature every couple of minutes so you can use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. Insert the probe of the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak, which is the most accurate way to check.
For medium rare, remove the steak from the air fryer when it reaches 125-130°F for medium-rare. It’ll cook a bit more when it rests at room temperature, bringing it to the ideal temperature of around 130-135°F. Cook for another 1-2 minutes for each additional level of doneness. For example, if your steak is at 130°F but you want to cook it to medium, cook it for 1-2 minutes longer or until it reaches 135-140°F.
Air Fryer Skirt Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking. After resting, pat the skirt steak dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil evenly over both sides of the steak. Combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly onto the steak.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure the steak doesn’t overlap (work in batches, if needed).
- Air fry the steak for 5-6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature (see notes for doneness tips).
- Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- For doneness: Remove the steak when it reaches 120-125°F for rare, 125-130°F for medium-rare, and 135-140°F for medium. The steak will rise a few degrees as it rests after cooking. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Marinating the steak for 30 minutes before cooking can add extra flavor, but it’s optional.
- Use a sharp knife to slice against the grain to improve tenderness.
Air Fryer Skirt Steak Recipe Variations
The recipe we provided is a good starting base for air fryer skirt steak, but there are lots of ways you can customize it to add different flavors each time you cook it. Marinating and creating different spice blends are easy ways to vary this recipe.
Marinating the Skirt Steak
Adding a marinade can elevate the flavor of skirt steak and tenderize it even more. Here are a few marinade ideas:
- Classic Garlic and Herb Marinade: Combine olive oil, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon juice. Let the steak marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Soy and Ginger Marinade: Mix soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, and a squeeze of honey. This blend adds a savory sweetness that works really well with steak.
- Citrus and Cumin Marinade: Blend orange juice, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, and olive oil for boldness.
Always pat the steak dry after marinating to ensure a good sear in the air fryer.
Spice Variations
Switch up the spice rub to suit your taste or to pair better with whatever you’re serving with skirt steak.
- Chimichurri-Style Rub: Mix dried oregano, parsley, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a splash of red wine vinegar.
- Southwest Rub: Add some spice to your steak with a rub made from chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (go easy on the cayenne — a little goes a long way!).
- Mediterranean Rub: Blend dried rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and lemon zest to make an earthy, savory rub.
Conclusion: Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Cooking skirt steak in the air fryer is a simple and flavorful way to enjoy this tender cut. With the right preparation and tips, you can achieve delicious results every time.
Ready to explore more steak options to cook in the air fryer, in a pan, or on the grill? Check out Chicago Steak Company’s premium selection of steak cuts you can order conveniently online.
Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Ingredients
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish optional
Instructions
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking. After resting, pat the skirt steak dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil evenly over both sides of the steak. Combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly onto the steak.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure the steak doesn’t overlap (work in batches, if needed).
- Air fry the steak for 5-6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature (see notes for doneness tips).
- Remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- For doneness: Remove the steak when it reaches 120-125°F for rare, 125-130°F for medium-rare, and 135-140°F for medium. The steak will rise a few degrees as it rests after cooking. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Marinating the steak for 30 minutes before cooking can add extra flavor, but it’s optional.
- Use a sharp knife to slice against the grain to improve tenderness.