Can I Cook A Filet Mignon In An Air Fryer? | Steak Rules

If you love steak but hate splattered pans and smoky kitchens, cooking filet mignon in an air fryer feels almost too simple. The basket is small, the heat is focused, and cleanup is fast. The big question is not just “Can I cook a filet this way?” but “Will it turn out tender, juicy, and safe to eat every single time?”

This guide walks you through time, temperature, seasoning, and doneness so your air fryer filet mignon tastes like a special-occasion steak, even on a busy weeknight. You will see how to line up steak thickness with cook time, how to use a thermometer correctly, and how to avoid the dry, gray result that scares people away from lean cuts.

Cooking Filet Mignon In An Air Fryer: Basic Rules For Great Results

Filet mignon is a lean, tender cut from the center of the beef tenderloin. That tenderness is the good news. The flip side is that there is very little fat to cover mistakes. In an air fryer, heat moves quickly around the meat, so a few extra minutes can move you from rosy center to dry steak.

For whole cuts of beef like filet mignon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and letting the steak rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. This rest window lets heat even out inside the meat and keeps juices from running across the plate instead of staying in the steak.

The grid below gives you a practical view of doneness levels, target internal temperatures, and ballpark total times for air frying at 400°F. Treat it as a starting point, then adjust based on your own air fryer model and steak thickness.

Air Fryer Filet Mignon Doneness Guide

Doneness Level	Target Internal Temp*	Approx Total Time At 400°F
Rare	120–125°F (49–52°C)	8–10 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
Medium-Rare	130–135°F (54–57°C)	10–12 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
Medium	140–145°F (60–63°C)	12–14 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
Medium-Well	150–155°F (66–68°C)	14–16 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
Well-Done	160°F+ (71°C+)	16–18 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
From Frozen To Medium-Rare	130–135°F (54–57°C)	14–17 minutes for 1–1.25 inch steaks
Reheating Cooked Filet	Just warmed through	4–6 minutes for 1–1.25 inch slices

*For food safety, whole beef steaks should reach at least 145°F with a 3-minute rest, even if you prefer a pink center.

Because air fryer models vary in power and basket size, always use a digital meat thermometer rather than trusting a timer alone. Slide the probe into the thickest part of the steak, staying away from fat pockets or bone. When the reading hits your target, move the steak to a warm plate and rest it loosely under foil.

Why Filet Mignon Works Well In An Air Fryer

Filet mignon fits an air fryer basket nicely. The steaks are compact, usually between 1 and 2 inches thick, so hot air can move around them and brown the outside. You get a nicely browned crust without a smoky pan or a grill that needs scrubbing.

The lean nature of this cut also pairs well with a controlled, enclosed cooking space. The sides of the basket help reduce splatter, while the focused heat means you can reach your target internal temperature in a short window. That shorter cook time matters for filet mignon because it helps protect tenderness and avoid a dull, dry texture.

Safety still matters here. Air fryers do not change food safety rules. Guidance for whole cuts of beef stays the same whether you cook on a grill, in a pan, or in a countertop unit. A quick check with a thermometer is still the only reliable way to know when your filet is ready to rest and serve.

Step-By-Step Air Fryer Filet Mignon Method

You can adapt this basic method for two small filets or a single thick piece. The steps stay the same; only timing shifts slightly with thickness and starting temperature.

Step 1: Choose And Portion The Steaks

Look for center-cut filet mignon between 1 and 1.5 inches thick. Thinner steaks brown fast but move through the doneness range in a flash, so they need a close eye. Thicker pieces give you a bigger window but may need a minute or two more in the basket.

Pat the surface dry on all sides with paper towels. Moisture on the outside turns to steam, which fights against browning. Trimming ragged edges also helps the steak cook evenly.

Step 2: Season The Filet Mignon

Drizzle the steak lightly with a high-smoke-point oil such as avocado or canola oil. You only need a thin film so salt and spices stick to the meat. Coat the steak all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Salt just before cooking if you prefer a soft crust, or salt 30–60 minutes ahead for deeper flavor.

You can add garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, or dried rosemary. Keep the seasoning simple on your first run so you can judge time and temperature without too many extra flavors in the mix.

Step 3: Preheat The Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket gives the outside of the filet a head start on browning and keeps the steak from sticking.

If your air fryer tends to run hot, you can set it to 390°F for slightly more leeway. The key is consistency: use the same setting each time until you know exactly how your unit behaves with steak.

Step 4: Cook And Flip At The Right Time

Place the seasoned filet mignon in a single layer in the basket. Leave space between steaks so hot air can move freely. If the basket looks crowded, cook in batches rather than stacking pieces.

For a 1–1.25 inch filet starting from fridge-cold, a common pattern is:

• Cook 5–6 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the steak.
• Cook another 4–6 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature and adjust in 1–2 minute bursts as needed.

Once the thermometer reads about 5°F below your goal, pull the steak from the basket. Carryover heat during resting usually raises the internal temperature by a few degrees.

Step 5: Rest And Finish With Butter Or Oil

Set the cooked filet mignon on a warm plate, loosely tented with foil, for at least 5 minutes. This pause lets juices settle back through the meat instead of spilling out when you slice.

While the steak rests, top it with a thin slice of compound butter or drizzle a spoonful of warm garlic herb oil over the top. Because filet mignon is so lean, even a small amount of fat on the surface improves flavor and mouthfeel.

Seasoning Ideas For Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Once you trust your time and temperature, seasoning is where you can have fun. Filet mignon has a mild beef flavor, so a little extra seasoning makes each bite more interesting.

Simple Salt And Pepper Approach

This is the baseline for a reason. Generous kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper do two jobs at once. They bring out beef flavor inside the steak and build a tasty crust on the surface. Start here the first time you test your air fryer version of filet.

Garlic Herb Butter Finish

Soften unsalted butter and mix in minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a small squeeze of lemon juice. Roll it into a log in parchment and chill. After your filet rests, place a thin slice of this butter on top so it melts over the warm crust and runs down the sides.

Peppercorn Crust Variation

Crush black, green, and pink peppercorns with the flat side of a knife or in a mortar. Press the crushed mix onto the oiled steak before air frying. The hot air toasts the peppercorns gently, giving you a fragrant crust with a gentle kick.

Thickness, Doneness, And Timing In Detail

Not all filet mignon portions are the same. A 1-inch medallion cooks much faster than a tall center-cut piece. Your air fryer’s power and airflow add more variables. A simple timing chart helps you adjust without guesswork.

Use the table below as a reference, then let your thermometer make the final call. When in doubt, pull the steak a little early, check the temperature, and return it for 1–2 minute bursts rather than one long extra cook that dries it out.

Air Fryer Filet Mignon Timing By Thickness

Steak Thickness	Target Doneness	Approx Total Time At 400°F
1 inch	Medium-Rare (130–135°F)	9–11 minutes, flipping halfway
1 inch	Medium (140–145°F)	11–13 minutes, flipping halfway
1.25 inches	Medium-Rare (130–135°F)	10–12 minutes, flipping halfway
1.25 inches	Medium (140–145°F)	12–14 minutes, flipping halfway
1.5 inches	Medium-Rare (130–135°F)	12–14 minutes, flipping halfway
1.5 inches	Medium (140–145°F)	14–16 minutes, flipping halfway
From Frozen, 1–1.25 inches	Medium (140–145°F)	15–18 minutes, flipping twice

Check temp earlier the first time you cook filet mignon in your specific air fryer. Once you see how your unit behaves, note times that match your own taste so you can repeat them later.

Food Safety Tips For Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Any time you cook steak, you balance taste with food safety. Whole cuts like filet mignon carry most surface bacteria on the outside, which high heat destroys during cooking. Even so, food agencies still recommend a safe minimum internal temperature and a rest period for home kitchens.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service states that beef steaks and roasts should reach at least 145°F with a 3-minute rest for safety. You can find these numbers in the official safe minimum internal temperature chart, which lists beef alongside pork, poultry, and seafood.

Air fryers do not shorten this rest window. When your thermometer hits 140–145°F in the center of a filet, move it to a plate, tent it loosely with foil, and wait at least 3 minutes before slicing. This habit keeps you on the safe side while still giving you a tender, juicy texture.

For general air fryer safety, including tips on basket size, lining, and avoiding overfilling, the USDA also shares specific guidance in its air fryers and food safety overview. Those same principles apply when you slide filet mignon into the basket.

Common Mistakes When Air Frying Filet Mignon

Overcrowding The Basket

Stacked or tightly packed steaks block air from moving around the meat. The result is pale sides, uneven cooking, and a center that does not match the surface. Cook fewer steaks at once, or rotate pieces between the middle and outer edges of the basket.

Skipping The Thermometer

Relying on guesswork is the fastest way to dry out filet mignon in an air fryer. Because cook times are short, even two extra minutes can change the center from rosy to dull gray. A small instant-read thermometer gives you clear feedback and stops the guesswork.

Starting With A Wet Surface

Even a nicely marbled steak will steam instead of brown if the surface is damp. Pat the filet dry before seasoning, and avoid heavy marinades that drip into the basket. If you like marinade flavor, use a thicker glaze or brush a small amount on near the end of cooking.

Ignoring Rest Time

Cutting into filet mignon the moment it leaves the basket can send a river of juice across the cutting board. Resting for a few minutes makes each bite taste richer and keeps the center moist, which matters even more with this lean cut.

Can I Cook A Filet Mignon In An Air Fryer? Variations And Meal Ideas

By now you know that the answer to “can i cook a filet mignon in an air fryer?” is yes, and that you only need a few simple habits to get repeatable results. Once the basic method feels easy, you can branch out into variations that still fit inside a busy night.

Pair air fryer filet mignon with quick sides that also work well in the basket. Baby potatoes parboiled for a few minutes, then crisped in the air fryer while your steak rests, make a perfect partner. So do green beans or asparagus tossed with a little oil, salt, and garlic powder.

You can also use the same method when you cook two filets of different thickness. Place the thicker piece closer to the center of the basket, where heat often feels stronger, and add the thinner steak a couple of minutes later. Monitor both with a thermometer so each one reaches its own target temperature and rests on its own schedule.

If friends ask, “Can I Cook A Filet Mignon In An Air Fryer?” you can now point them toward this simple approach: dry and season the steak, preheat the basket, cook at steady heat, check with a thermometer, rest the meat, and finish with a small amount of fat or sauce. Follow those habits, and an air fryer turns into a steady, low-mess way to enjoy one of the most tender cuts of beef at home.