Frozen steak usually needs 18–25 minutes in a 400°F air fryer, plus resting time, depending on thickness and how well done you like it.
Pulling a rock-hard steak from the freezer right before dinner no longer has to ruin your meal plan. Cooking a frozen steak in the air fryer gives you a juicy center, a browned crust, and dinner on the table with very little fuss. The trick is knowing how long to cook a frozen steak in an air fryer and how to check doneness without drying it out.
This guide walks you through timing, temperatures, steak thickness, and step-by-step cooking so you can go straight from freezer to basket with confidence. You will also see how to adjust the air fryer cook time for different cuts and how to hit your favorite level of doneness using a thermometer.
Frozen Steak Air Fryer Time And Temperature Overview
If you have ever typed “How Long To Cook A Frozen Steak In An Air Fryer?” into a search bar while staring at a frosty ribeye, you are in good company. The exact cook time depends on thickness and your preferred doneness, but some ranges work well for most home air fryers.
| Steak Cut & Thickness (Frozen) | Air Fryer Temperature | Total Cook Time Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Ribeye, 1 inch | 400°F (204°C) | 18–22 minutes |
| Ribeye, 1.5 inches | 400°F (204°C) | 22–26 minutes |
| New York strip, 1 inch | 400°F (204°C) | 18–21 minutes |
| Sirloin, 1 inch | 390–400°F (199–204°C) | 17–20 minutes |
| Tenderloin/filet, 1.5 inches | 390–400°F (199–204°C) | 20–24 minutes |
| Flat iron, 0.75 inch | 390°F (199°C) | 14–18 minutes |
| Boneless chuck steak, 1 inch | 400°F (204°C) | 20–25 minutes |
| Very thin steak, < 0.75 inch | 380–390°F (193–199°C) | 10–14 minutes |
*Times are guidelines for medium to medium-well. Always confirm with a thermometer.
These ranges give you a starting point. Because air fryers vary in power and basket style, you may need a small adjustment of a few minutes in either direction. First runs are test runs. Once you learn how your own appliance handles a frozen steak, repeat results become easy.
How Long To Cook A Frozen Steak In An Air Fryer For Juicy Results
The main goal with frozen steak in the air fryer is getting the center hot enough for food safety while keeping the outside from turning tough. For most 1-inch frozen steaks cooked at 400°F, plan on 18–22 minutes total. Thicker pieces lean toward the longer end, while thinner cuts finish sooner.
Food safety guidance from the USDA and other government sources recommends cooking whole beef steaks to at least 145°F (63°C) internal temperature, then letting the meat rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. Safe minimum internal temperature charts spell out this target clearly for home cooks. This applies whether your steak started fresh or frozen.
So when you ask again, “How Long To Cook A Frozen Steak In An Air Fryer?”, tie your answer to both time and temperature. Time gets you close. A quick thermometer check tells you when it is ready to rest and slice.
Why Cooking Frozen Steak In The Air Fryer Works
On a grill or in a pan, a frozen steak tends to burn on the outside before the center warms through. An air fryer circulates hot air around the food, so the heat wraps the steak from all sides. That even flow helps thaw and cook the interior while the surface browns.
Because the basket lets fat drip away while hot air keeps moving, you get a nice crust without standing over a smoky pan. You also skip splatter and large amounts of added oil. For weeknights, that convenience matters just as much as flavor.
There is another perk. Frozen steak in a skillet often steams in its own moisture. In an air fryer, the basket holes and fan cut down on that steamy feel. The result leans more toward roasted than boiled.
Preparing Frozen Steak For The Air Fryer
Even though the steak goes in frozen, a tiny bit of prep makes a clear difference. You only need a few minutes and simple pantry ingredients.
Choose The Right Steak Cut
Some steaks handle the frozen-to-air-fryer route better than others. Look for cuts that are at least 1 inch thick and have a bit of marbling. Good choices include ribeye, strip, sirloin, and filet. Very lean or very thin steaks can overcook in the time it takes the center to reach a safe temperature.
Try to start with steaks frozen flat in a single layer, not clumped together. If the package froze in a stack, separate the pieces under a short stream of cold water before cooking.
Pat Dry And Oil Lightly
Moisture on the surface blocks browning. Take the frozen steak out of its packaging and blot both sides with paper towels. It will still be icy, and that is fine. The goal is just to remove surface frost.
Brush or spray a thin layer of high smoke point oil on both sides. Avocado oil, refined olive oil, or neutral vegetable oil all work. A light coating helps seasonings stick and encourages a golden crust without turning greasy.
Season In Two Stages
Salt does not cling perfectly to rock-hard meat, so it often helps to season twice. Start with a simple mix on the frozen steak:
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or dried herbs
Sprinkle the frozen surface with a moderate layer. Midway through cooking, you can add a little more seasoning once the steak has softened. This double pass gives you better coverage without caking the surface.
Step-By-Step: Cooking A Frozen Steak In The Air Fryer
Here is a straightforward method you can repeat any time you forget to thaw steak. Adjust the times slightly for your specific air fryer model and steak thickness.
1. Preheat The Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket helps the steak sear instead of sticking and steaming. If your model does not have a preheat setting, just run it empty at temperature during this time.
2. Place The Frozen Steak In A Single Layer
Lay the seasoned frozen steak in the basket in a single layer with a little space around it. Avoid stacking or overlapping; crowded food cooks unevenly. If your air fryer is small and you have more than one steak, cook them in batches so each piece sits in direct airflow.
3. Start Cooking And Flip Halfway
Cook the steak for 8–10 minutes on the first side. When the timer beeps, flip it with tongs. This is a good time to add a bit more seasoning if you like.
After flipping, cook another 8–12 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness. A 1-inch steak often finishes in that 18–22 minute window. Thick cuts may need a few extra minutes, while thin steaks should be checked earlier.
4. Check Internal Temperature
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest part of the steak. Slide the probe in from the side toward the center. Try not to hit the basket or bone, as that can give a false reading.
The USDA and many food safety resources point to 145°F (63°C) with a short rest for whole cuts of beef such as steak. Federal food safety guidance explains that this temperature and rest time help reduce foodborne illness risk while keeping meat tender.
If your steak has not reached the target yet, return it to the basket and cook in 2–3 minute bursts, checking after each round. Once it hits your desired temperature, move straight to the resting step.
5. Rest Before Slicing
Transfer the steak to a plate or cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest at least 3–5 minutes. Resting lets the juices redistribute through the meat instead of running out on the board. The internal temperature usually rises a couple of degrees during this time.
Slice across the grain for the most tender bite. If you notice the interior is a touch under your favorite level, you can always put the slices back into the warm air fryer basket for 1–2 minutes.
Adjusting Time For Doneness Levels
Some steak fans want a blush of pink in the center. Others like a firm, brown interior. While safety guidelines highlight 145°F and a rest as a standard for whole cuts, many home cooks still use doneness ranges when cooking beef. Whatever your target, time and temperature control give you that result more reliably than color alone.
Typical Internal Temperature Ranges
When cooking a frozen steak in the air fryer, use these thermometer ranges as a practical reference. Since the meat continues to cook slightly during the rest, you can pull it from the basket a few degrees lower than the final number you want.
| Doneness Level | Target Internal Temperature* | Texture And Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Medium rare | 130–135°F (54–57°C) | Warm red center, plenty of juice |
| Medium | 135–145°F (57–63°C) | Warm pink center, springy feel |
| Medium well | 145–155°F (63–68°C) | Mostly brown with a faint blush of pink |
| Well done | 160°F+ (71°C+) | Brown all the way through, firm chew |
| Food safety baseline | 145°F (63°C) + rest | Matches many government safety charts |
*Based on common steak doneness ranges used by many cooks; match these with official food safety guidance in your region.
To align doneness with cook time, think in small adjustments. For a 1-inch frozen steak at 400°F, 18 minutes might land closer to medium rare, 20 minutes around medium, and 22 minutes or more near medium well to well, depending on your air fryer. Always let the thermometer confirm your guess.
Frozen Steak Air Fryer Timing For Different Thicknesses
Thickness affects timing even more than the specific cut. A thin sirloin cooks faster than a thick filet even at the same temperature. When working out how long to cook a frozen steak in an air fryer in your own kitchen, measure thickness before freezing whenever possible.
Thin Steaks (Under 0.75 Inch)
Thin steaks have less margin for error. Start them at 380–390°F to keep the outside from becoming dry. Check at the 8–10 minute mark, flip, then check again at 12 minutes. Many thin frozen steaks reach medium in 12–14 minutes total.
If you prefer well-done, you can extend the time slightly, but watch closely. Thin meat moves from juicy to dry fairly quickly.
Standard Steaks (Around 1 Inch)
One-inch frozen steaks are the sweet spot for this method. Cook at 400°F, flip halfway, and plan on about 18–22 minutes total. Use the tables above as a rough guide, then let your thermometer and preference fine-tune things.
Thick Steaks (1.5 Inches Or More)
For thick frozen steaks, give yourself more time and patience. Start at 400°F and cook 10–12 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook another 10–12 minutes. At that point, start checking every 3 minutes.
If the outside is browning faster than the inside is heating, you can drop the temperature to 380–390°F for the last stretch. This gentler heat helps the center catch up without toughening the surface.
Tips To Get Better Texture And Flavor
Once you dial in basic timing for frozen steak in the air fryer, small tweaks can make each batch taste closer to a steakhouse plate.
Do Not Skip The Thermometer
Guessing doneness from color alone can mislead you. Cooked steak can stay pink even when it has reached a safe internal temperature, and browned meat can sometimes still be undercooked inside. A fast digital thermometer is the easiest way to hit 145°F and above for safety while still keeping a tender bite.
Add A Butter Baste At The End
When the steak rests, top it with a pat of butter mixed with garlic, herbs, or a squeeze of lemon. The heat from the meat melts the butter into a quick pan-free sauce. This little step adds richness that balances the lean texture air fryers often give.
Season After Slicing If Needed
Air fryers move a lot of air, so some surface seasoning can blow around the basket. If the finished steak tastes slightly under-seasoned, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over the sliced meat right before serving. Seasoning on the cut surface lands directly on your taste buds.
Food Safety Notes For Frozen Steak In The Air Fryer
Cooking a steak directly from frozen is considered safe as long as the meat reaches a safe internal temperature. Government food safety pages mention that cooking food from the frozen state is fine when you adjust time and confirm doneness with a thermometer.
The bigger concerns show up before and after cooking. Keep frozen steak at 0°F (−18°C) or below for storage, and avoid long stretches in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F where bacteria grow fastest. Safe thawing guidance explains why leaving meat out on the counter too long raises risk even if the surface still feels cool.
Once the steak is cooked, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if your kitchen is very warm. Slice and store them in a shallow container so they chill faster. Reheat in the air fryer at a lower temperature, around 320°F, just until warmed through to keep the meat from drying out.
Final Thoughts On Frozen Steak In The Air Fryer
Cooking a steak straight from the freezer no longer has to feel like a backup plan. With a reliable thermometer and a good handle on how long to cook a frozen steak in an air fryer for your favorite cut, you can turn that last-minute idea into a satisfying meal.
Set the temperature around 400°F, use the timing ranges as a guide, flip halfway, and check the internal temperature near the end. Aim for at least 145°F with a short rest for safety, then adjust a few degrees higher or lower based on how pink you like the center.
Once you have run through this process a time or two, you will know exactly how your own air fryer handles frozen steak. From there, tweaking seasoning blends, side dishes, and finishing touches turns a freezer staple into a regular, low-effort dinner that tastes like it took much more work.