Most steaks take 8–14 minutes in the air fryer, depending on thickness, temperature, and how done you like the steak.
If you love steak but hate babysitting a screaming hot pan, the air fryer can feel like cheating in the best way. You get fast cooking, a browned crust, and less splatter on your stove. The only real question is timing: how long do steaks take in the air fryer so they end up juicy instead of dry?
This guide walks you through air fryer steak times by thickness, doneness level, and cut. You’ll see clear time charts, simple steps, and safety tips based on official temperature guidance, so you can hit your favorite doneness with confidence.
Air Fryer Steak Time Chart By Thickness
Cook time in the air fryer depends more on steak thickness and air fryer temperature than on the exact cut. A 1-inch ribeye and a 1-inch sirloin behave in a very similar way. Use this chart as a starting point for steaks that have been brought close to room temperature and patted dry before cooking.
| Steak Thickness | Target Doneness | Approx. Time At 400°F (200°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) | Medium Rare | 5–7 minutes |
| 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) | Medium | 7–8 minutes |
| 0.75 inch (2 cm) | Medium Rare | 7–9 minutes |
| 0.75 inch (2 cm) | Medium | 9–10 minutes |
| 1 inch (2.5 cm) | Medium Rare | 9–11 minutes |
| 1 inch (2.5 cm) | Medium | 11–13 minutes |
| 1.25 inches (3 cm) | Medium | 13–15 minutes |
| 1.25 inches (3 cm) | Medium Well | 15–17 minutes |
These times assume a preheated air fryer basket and a single layer of steaks with some space around each one. Every air fryer model runs a little differently, so treat the chart as a starting point. A quick thermometer check near the end is the best way to dial in perfect timing for your specific machine.
How Long Do Steaks Take In The Air Fryer By Doneness?
When people ask, “How long do steaks take in the air fryer?”, they usually have a doneness goal in mind. Rare and medium rare cook fast; medium and well done need a few more minutes to let the heat travel deeper into the meat.
Food safety guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking whole cuts of beef, including steaks, to at least 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest for safe eating. FoodSafety.gov safe temperature chart You’re free to aim for a different doneness level based on your own comfort and local advice, but always measure with a reliable food thermometer.
Typical Internal Temperatures For Steak Doneness
Here are common temperature ranges many home cooks use as a guide:
- Rare: 120–125°F (49–52°C)
- Medium Rare: 130–135°F (54–57°C)
- Medium: 140–145°F (60–63°C)
- Medium Well: 150–155°F (66–68°C)
- Well Done: 160°F (71°C) and above
Steak will rise a few degrees while resting, so many cooks pull it from the air fryer about 3–5°F (2–3°C) below the final number they want.
How Doneness Changes The Cook Time
Once you know the thickness, you can adjust time for doneness. Here’s a simple way to think about it for a 1-inch (2.5 cm) steak at 400°F (200°C):
- Medium Rare: 9–11 minutes, flipping halfway
- Medium: 11–13 minutes
- Medium Well: 13–14 minutes
- Well Done: 14–15 minutes
If your steak is thinner, shave off a minute or two. If it’s thicker, add a couple of minutes, then check with a thermometer. Once you’ve done a test run with your air fryer, timing the next round of steaks feels much easier.
Factors That Change How Long Steaks Take In The Air Fryer
Two people can cook the same cut in different kitchens and still get slightly different results. That doesn’t mean air fryer steak is a guessing game; it just means you need to know which variables matter.
Air Fryer Temperature And Preheating
Most steak recipes use 380–400°F (193–200°C). Higher temperatures create better browning, but they also narrow your timing window. At 400°F (200°C), a steak can jump from perfect to overdone in just a couple of minutes.
Preheating matters too. If you start in a cold basket, the first few minutes go toward heating metal and air, not the meat. For reliable timing, let the air fryer run at cooking temperature for 3–5 minutes before the steak goes in.
Steak Thickness And Cut
Thickness drives cooking time more than anything else. A thin minute steak can be done in under 7 minutes, while a thick sirloin or strip steak may need 14 minutes or more. Thicker cuts also benefit from a slightly lower temperature, such as 380°F (193°C), to prevent the outside from drying out before the center comes up to temp.
The cut matters a bit as well. Ribeye has more fat and marbling, which helps keep it juicy even if you overshoot by a minute. Leaner cuts like sirloin or round can feel dry if they stay in the basket too long.
Starting Temperature And Marinating
Cold steaks fresh from the fridge take longer than steaks that have rested on the counter for 20–30 minutes. Letting the chill come off helps the center warm up more evenly.
Marinades can also change cook time slightly. A salty or acidic marinade can draw some moisture to the surface, which may speed up browning. It doesn’t shorten the time by much, but it can make the steak look more done before the center has warmed through, so a thermometer check is handy here too.
Basket Crowding And Airflow
Air fryers work by blasting hot air around the food. When steaks touch or sit stacked in layers, that airflow gets blocked and timings stretch out. You’ll get more reliable results if you:
- Cook steaks in a single layer
- Leave space between each piece
- Flip halfway through so both sides see direct hot air
Step-By-Step: How Long Do Steaks Take In The Air Fryer From Start To Finish?
Let’s walk through a standard method that works for most cuts and thicknesses. This example uses a 1-inch (2.5 cm) ribeye or strip steak at 400°F (200°C).
1. Prep The Steak
Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Dry surface means better browning. Sprinkle generously with salt, black pepper, and any extra dry seasoning you like. If you want to use a marinade, blot the steak again before it goes into the basket so extra liquid doesn’t steam the meat.
2. Preheat The Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for 3–5 minutes. Many manuals suggest preheating for meat; it gives you more predictable timing and better searing.
3. Air Fry And Flip
Place the steak in the basket in a single layer. A small drizzle of oil or a light spray helps with browning, especially if the cut is very lean.
For a 1-inch steak at 400°F (200°C):
- Cook for 5–6 minutes
- Flip the steak
- Cook another 4–6 minutes
At the 9-minute mark, start checking with a thermometer in the thickest part. Adjust the last few minutes based on the number you want to hit.
4. Check The Internal Temperature
Slide the thermometer probe into the center from the side, not from the top. That keeps the tip in the middle, where it tells you the coolest, and most important, reading.
The USDA and many food safety agencies recommend at least 145°F (63°C) for steaks followed by a short rest. USDA safe minimum internal temperature chart If you’re cooking for kids, pregnant guests, or anyone with a weaker immune system, staying close to that level is a wise choice.
5. Rest The Steak
Once the steak reaches your target temperature (or a few degrees below), move it to a warm plate, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Resting lets juices redistribute, so the first cut isn’t followed by a flood of liquid.
Timing Guide For Popular Steak Cuts In The Air Fryer
Different cuts have slightly different fat levels and shapes, which affect how they feel when cooked. The timing differences are small, but it helps to know what to expect.
| Steak Cut | Typical Thickness | Medium Doneness Time At 400°F |
|---|---|---|
| Ribeye | 1 inch (2.5 cm) | 11–13 minutes |
| New York Strip | 1 inch (2.5 cm) | 11–13 minutes |
| Sirloin | 0.75–1 inch | 9–12 minutes |
| T-Bone / Porterhouse | 1–1.25 inches | 12–15 minutes |
| Flat Iron | 0.75 inch | 8–11 minutes |
| Round / Minute Steak | 0.5 inch | 6–8 minutes |
| Beef Tips (Chunks) | 1–1.5 inch cubes | 8–10 minutes |
Bone-in steaks like T-bone or porterhouse need a little extra time because the bone slows heat transfer. Thinner cuts such as round steak cook fast, so they reward close thermometer checks.
How Long Do Steaks Take In The Air Fryer For Frozen Steaks?
Frozen steak in the air fryer sounds risky until you try it. The hot air can thaw and cook in one go, and the method is handy when you forgot to move steaks from the freezer to the fridge.
For a frozen 1-inch steak at 380–400°F (193–200°C), a good pattern is:
- Cook 6–7 minutes to thaw and start browning
- Flip the steak
- Cook another 7–9 minutes
Frozen steaks nearly always need a few extra minutes compared with thawed ones. Dry the surface with a paper towel before seasoning and returning to the basket if lots of moisture collects on the outside during that first thaw phase.
Seasoning Frozen Steaks
Salt clings better to thawed meat, so you’ll get better seasoning if you:
- Air fry the frozen steak for 5–6 minutes
- Remove and season both sides while the surface is slightly thawed but still cold
- Return the steak to the basket and finish cooking
This small step adds only a minute of work and gives you a lot more flavor.
Picking The Right Time For Your Air Fryer Model
Even with charts and temperature guides, every air fryer behaves a little differently. Basket size, wattage, and airflow design all tweak timing. To tune things for your own setup, run a short timing test.
Test Run Method For Perfect Steak Timing
The first time you cook steak in a new air fryer, choose one test steak and do this:
- Measure thickness and write it down
- Follow the chart for temperature and time
- Start checking the internal temperature 2–3 minutes before the earliest suggested time
- Note the total cook time that matches your favorite doneness
Next time you cook the same cut and thickness, use that tested time as your new baseline. Small notes on a sticky pad near the air fryer can save guesswork later.
Common Timing Mistakes With Air Fryer Steaks
When people feel unhappy with air fryer steak, it usually comes down to one of these mishaps:
- Skipping preheat, so the early minutes run cooler than expected
- Crowding the basket, which slows cooking and browning
- Never flipping, so one side browns and the other steams
- Relying only on color instead of using a thermometer
- Cutting right away instead of resting the steak
Fixing just one or two of these habits often turns “so-so” air fryer steak into something you’re proud to serve.
Safety Tips When Timing Steaks In The Air Fryer
Because steak is a high-protein food, timing ties directly to safety as well as flavor. Overcooking is frustrating, but undercooking can be risky for some people.
Use A Food Thermometer
A small, fast digital thermometer is the easiest way to take guesswork out of “How long do steaks take in the air fryer?”. Instead of relying on a timer alone, you match time with actual internal temperature.
Insert the probe into the thickest part, avoiding bone or large seams of fat. Check more than one spot on thicker steaks to be sure the center is warm enough.
Follow Trusted Temperature Guidance
Food safety agencies agree that whole cuts of beef, including steaks, should hit at least 145°F (63°C) with a short rest for safe eating. That level balances tenderness with pathogen control and gives you a clear target when planning time in the air fryer.
If you cook for people with higher risk, such as older family members or anyone with a chronic illness, staying close to that 145°F mark offers extra peace of mind while still keeping the steak tender.
Bringing It All Together: Timing Steaks In The Air Fryer With Confidence
So, how long do steaks take in the air fryer? For most home cooks, the answer lands in a simple range: about 8–14 minutes at 380–400°F (193–200°C) for steaks between 0.75 and 1.25 inches thick, with a flip halfway through and a 5-minute rest on the plate.
Use thickness charts for your first batch, trust a thermometer more than a timer, keep the basket uncrowded, and respect the safe minimum temperatures recommended by food safety agencies. Once you’ve dialed in timing for your favorite cut, the air fryer turns steak night into a quick, repeatable routine instead of a guessing game.
With a few notes from your own kitchen and the timing guidelines here, you’ll know exactly how long steaks take in the air fryer to come out browned on the outside and tender in the middle, plate after plate.