Is Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer a Good Idea?

Air frying has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. These handy kitchen gadgets heat up quickly, circulating hot air around your food from all sides. This convection-like heat helps achieve that crispy texture without needing as much oil as traditional cooking methods like frying, sautéing, or roasting. With air frying's surge in popularity, nearly every food seems to be getting tested in the air fryer, including steak.

While it’s certainly possible to cook steak in an air fryer, it might not be the best option for achieving a perfectly juicy, medium-rare steak. There are several things to take into account before deciding if the air fryer is the right tool for your steak. Here’s what you should consider before trying it out.

Advantages of Air Frying Steak

Effortless Cooking

One of the biggest perks of cooking steak in an air fryer is how hands-off it is. Unlike the traditional method of searing on the stove, where you need to be present to flip and baste, the air fryer lets you set it and forget it. The process takes about ten minutes, but the convenience of not having to hover over the stove is a major plus, especially when you’re also preparing other dishes.

Try These Air Fryer Steak Recipes:

• Air Fryer Steak and Mushrooms
• Air Fryer Steak for Fajitas
• Air Fryer Steak Bites with Soy Sauce
• Air Fryer Steak Jerky
• Air Fryer Steak and Cheese Melts

Less Cleanup

Depending on the type of steak, some cuts can release a significant amount of fat that splatters at high temperatures, creating a mess on your stove and countertops. With an air fryer’s closed basket, you can avoid this, and only need to clean your air fryer instead of worrying about the kitchen. Alternatively, grilling outdoors can also help minimize the mess.

Low Pressure Cooking

Cooking steak in a pan on the stove can be daunting. It requires high heat, which many home cooks prefer to avoid. If you’re more comfortable cooking steak in an air fryer or using another hands-off method, that’s the best option for you. It may not be the most perfect way, but it will get the job done. Everyone has their own style in the kitchen, and sometimes it's more about getting a great meal on the table than trying to make the ultimate dish.

Downsides of Air Frying Steak

Less Rich Flavor

One downside of air frying, with its hands-off approach, is that you miss out on flavor-enhancing techniques like basting, where you spoon melted butter over the steak as it cooks. This process helps create a juicy, caramelized crust with rich, browned bits – something you won't achieve in an air fryer. As a result, steaks cooked in an air fryer tend to lack the deep, savory flavor and crispy exterior that many steak lovers crave.

Size Limitations

When cooking steak in an air fryer, the size of the cut is limited by the fryer’s basket. Larger cuts like ribeyes or big sirloins often won’t fit, as most air fryers have a relatively small capacity. You’ll need to stick with smaller cuts such as filet mignon or other boneless steaks. Keep in mind when choosing your steak that bone-in cuts tend to be more flavorful and harder to overcook, but may not fit easily into your air fryer.

Heat Limitations

Most air fryers max out at 450°F, which is on the low side for cooking steak. When searing on a stovetop, the key to achieving that perfect char without overcooking is using a very hot (even slightly smoking) pan or grill. The intense heat quickly sears the exterior, locking in moisture while keeping the inside juicy. In contrast, the air fryer’s temperature and circulating air can dry out the steak, especially with lean cuts like sirloin.

So, Should You Cook Steak in an Air Fryer?

In the end, the decision to cook steak in an air fryer is yours to make. While air frying might not produce the best steak flavor and texture, it offers other advantages that could be appealing for many home cooks. If you need a quick and simple way to prepare steak as part of another dish (like a steak sandwich, steak quesadilla, or steak nachos), the air fryer can certainly get the job done.