Steak (Air Fryer)

airfryer-steak The air fryer isn't just for frying. It’s also an incredibly handy tool to replace roasting in the oven or cooking on the stove. This air fryer steak recipe can save your house from a smoke-filled searing episode and still deliver a crusty, perfectly cooked steak. Pair with a potato side, and you're on your way to a hearty meal.

Steak:
2 lbs New York strip steaks (2 steaks, about 1-1½" thick)
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Tex-Mex Seasoning Blend
1 tsp. brown sugar
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

Garlic Herb Butter:
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. fresh herbs, chopped, such as; basil, oregano, cilantro or parsley
1 clove garlic, finely grated or chopped
½ tsp. lime zest, freshly grated
¼ tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional for heat

Preheat an air-fryer to 400°F (200°C). Grease your Air Fryer basket by rubbing a little bit of oil on the basket.

For the Steaks:
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

For the Garlic Herb Butter:
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, herb, garlic, lime zest, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, if using. Mash with a fork to combine and mix well. Transfer the butter to a piece of plastic wrap and roll into a little log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the Tex-Mex seasoning, brown sugar, salt and ground black pepper.

Brush the steaks all over with the olive oil, then sprinkle on both sides with the spice mixture.

Place in a single layer and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for an additional 2-8 minutes, or until the temperature of the steak is your preferred doneness. Here is a general guide:

125°F - 8 minutes for rare
135°F - 10 minutes for medium-rare
145°F - 11 minutes for medium
150°F - 12 minutes for medium-well
160°F - 14 minutes for well-done

Cut slices from the butter and set over top of the hot steak. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Makes 2 servings.

Cook's Notes:

Adding olive oil to the steaks is optional, I like the flavour it adds.
To ensure it is done to your liking, use a quick read thermometer to check the temperature.
The thickness of your steak will determine how long you need to cook your steak. For thin ribeyes, I lower the cooking time to 7-8 minutes for medium doneness.
This Garlic Herb Butter is delicious on its own. You will not need all of it for this recipe.
Make sure that your steak is at room temperature before adding it to the air-fryer. This will help it to stay tender and juicy.
Preheat your air fryer fully before adding the steak so that it cooks through evenly. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, let it run at 400°F for 5 minutes before placing it in.
Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving, cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. This will get the steaks perfectly juicy.
The garlic herb butter will keep well for a couple of weeks in the fridge and it freezes well for up to 3 months.