Air Fryer Steak: Time and Temperature
Air fry steak at 400°F (205°C) for 10–12 min — flip halfway.
The calculator above converts a different oven recipe you enter — it won’t show the same numbers as the tested steak setting in the quick answer above, and that’s expected. Enter your own recipe’s oven temperature and time to convert it, or read how the oven-to-air-fryer conversion works.
Air fryer settings for steak
| State | Temperature | Time | Key step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh, 1-inch thick | 400°F / 205°C | 10–12 min | Flip halfway |
How to air fry steak
- 1
Bring to room temperature
Let the steak sit out for 20–30 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly from edge to center.
- 2
Pat dry and season
Blot the surface dry, then season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- 3
Air fry at 400°F (205°C)
Cook for 10–12 minutes for a 1-inch-thick steak, adjusting slightly for thicker or thinner cuts.
- 4
Flip halfway
Turn the steak once, at the halfway point, for even browning on both sides.
- 5
Check internal temperature
Confirm at least 145°F (63°C) at the center for a safe, medium result — pull earlier for rarer, later for more well-done.
- 6
Rest before cutting
Rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute through the meat instead of running out onto the plate.
Doneness and safety
The USDA's recommended minimum for whole-muscle steak is 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest. That lands close to medium doneness. Many cooks prefer steak rarer than that, which carries a bit more risk — if you go below 145°F, make sure the steak isn't mechanically tenderized or needle-injected, since that process can introduce bacteria below the surface.
Common steak mistakes
- Cooking straight from the fridge, which gives an uneven cook from edge to center.
- Skipping the rest after cooking, so most of the juice ends up on the cutting board instead of in the steak.
- Not patting the steak dry first, which prevents a good browned crust from forming.
- Judging doneness by time alone — air fryer wattage varies a lot by model, so a thermometer is more reliable.
- Seasoning only right before cooking instead of ahead of time, missing out on deeper flavor penetration.
Steak in the air fryer: questions
Real questions people ask about air frying steak.
What temperature is medium-rare steak in the air fryer?
Around 130–135°F (54–57°C) internal is typically considered medium-rare, though the USDA's food-safety recommendation for whole-muscle steak is 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest.
Do I need to flip steak in the air fryer?
Yes, flipping once at the halfway point gives more even browning on both sides, since most air fryers direct heat primarily from the top.
Should I sear steak before or after air frying?
Either works, but a quick pan sear after air frying (rather than before) gives a better crust, since the steak's surface is already dry from the air fryer's circulating heat.
How long should steak rest after air frying?
About 5 minutes. This lets the juices redistribute through the meat instead of spilling out the moment you cut into it.
Sources & references
The formulas and guidelines used on this page are based on publicly available data from: