How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer | Tender Steak

How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer is one of those questions that pop up once you fall in love with quick weeknight dinners. London broil sounds fancy, yet it is simply a lean cut of beef cooked hot and sliced thin. The air fryer gives you a nicely browned crust, juicy center, and a short cook time, all without heating the whole kitchen.

This guide walks through prep, timing, temperature, and seasoning so you can pull a tender, flavorful steak from the basket, even if you are new to this cut. You will learn how to choose the right piece of meat, how long to air fry London broil for your preferred doneness, and how to avoid the dry, chewy texture that made this cut a punchline for years.

We will also touch on food safety, since undercooked or poorly handled beef can cause real trouble. Official sources such as the safe minimum internal temperature chart give clear guidance on safe internal temperatures for steak and roasts. You can still aim for a pink center while staying within those guardrails.

London Broil Air Fryer Time And Temp Overview

Before you switch on the air fryer, it helps to see the main variables at a glance. The table below shows typical cook times and starting temperatures for a 1–2 inch thick London broil in most basket style air fryers. Exact timing still depends on your specific unit and the meat itself, so treat this as a starting point and rely on a thermometer for the final call.

Steak Thickness	Air Fryer Temperature	Approximate Cook Time*
1 inch (2.5 cm)	390°F (200°C)	8–10 minutes total
1.25 inch (3.2 cm)	390°F (200°C)	10–12 minutes total
1.5 inch (3.8 cm)	400°F (205°C)	12–14 minutes total
2 inches (5 cm)	400°F (205°C)	14–17 minutes total
1–1.5 inch, medium rare look	390°F (200°C)	Pull at 125–130°F
1–1.5 inch, medium	390°F (200°C)	Pull at 135–140°F
1–1.5 inch, medium well	390°F (200°C)	Pull at 145–150°F
Resting time	Room temperature counter	5–10 minutes

*Times are for preheated air fryers and room temperature steak. Always confirm doneness with a food thermometer and adjust timing for your own appliance.

How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer Step By Step

Now let’s walk through How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer from the store shelf to the dinner plate. The method is simple once you know what each step does for texture and flavor.

Choose The Right Cut For London Broil

London broil is usually a label for top round, flank, or a similar lean cut. Aim for a piece that is:

• Between 1 and 2 pounds (450–900 g).
• Roughly 1–1.5 inches thick for even cooking in the air fryer.
• Evenly shaped, without a thin tail that would overcook early.

A little marbling helps, but this cut will never look like ribeye. The tenderness comes from slicing thin across the grain after cooking, along with good seasoning and a proper rest.

Season Or Marinate The Steak

You can keep London broil as simple as salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or you can marinate it for extra flavor and moisture. If you marinate, follow safe handling rules from agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which advise keeping meat and marinade in the refrigerator and never reusing marinade on cooked food.

Two reliable options:

• Dry seasoning: Pat the steak dry, rub with 1–2 tablespoons of oil, then coat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of paprika.
• Simple marinade: Mix soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, black pepper, and a touch of brown sugar. Marinate in the fridge for 2–8 hours, then pat dry before cooking.

Drying the surface before the steak meets hot air gives you far better browning in the basket.

Bring The Steak Out Of The Fridge Briefly

Take the seasoned or marinated steak out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking. That short rest helps the center warm slightly, which leads to more even cooking. Keep it on a clean plate away from other foods, and avoid long periods at room temperature so you stay out of the food safety danger zone for too long.

Preheat The Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket helps sear the outside quickly and reduces sticking.

While it preheats:

• Spray or brush the basket lightly with high smoke point oil.
• Pat the steak dry again if any marinade has surfaced.
• Press on a last light sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Air Fry The London Broil

Place the London broil in a single layer in the basket. Do not fold or crowd it. Close the air fryer and cook based on thickness:

• For a 1 inch steak: start with 5 minutes, flip, then 3–5 minutes more.
• For a 1.25–1.5 inch steak: start with 6 minutes, flip, then 4–6 minutes more.
• For a 2 inch steak: start with 8 minutes, flip, then 6–9 minutes more.

Near the end of the second side, check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. Insert it horizontally into the thickest part, avoiding any pockets of fat.

• Pull at 125–130°F for a pink center that will carry over to about 130–135°F.
• Pull at 135–140°F for a warm pink center.
• Pull at 145°F and above for a more cooked center.

Food safety guidance from the USDA recommends a minimum of 145°F (63°C) with a rest period for steaks and roasts. You can still lean on that line while aiming for a pleasant texture by slicing thin and resting long enough for juices to settle.

Rest And Slice Thin Across The Grain

Once the London broil reaches your target temperature, move it to a cutting board and loosely tent with foil. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This pause lets juices redistribute so they stay in the meat instead of running all over the board.

To slice:

• Look for the grain of the meat (the direction of the muscle fibers).
• Turn the steak so your knife cuts across those lines.
• Slice thin, about 1/4 inch (6 mm), in smooth strokes.

This step turns a modest, lean cut into tender bites that work beautifully over salad, potatoes, rice, or tucked into sandwiches.

London Broil In Air Fryer Cooking Times And Temperatures

London broil in air fryer recipes often fail because they treat every steak and every air fryer as identical. In reality, thickness, starting temperature, and your air fryer model all change the timing. Think in ranges and adjust based on what you see and measure.

Thickness, Doneness, And Carryover Heat

Thinner steaks reach target temperature faster and can overcook in a minute or two if you walk away. Thicker steaks cook longer but hold heat better during the rest. Carryover heat usually raises the internal temperature by about 5°F while the steak sits.

To stay in control:

• Check early the first time you cook a new size or brand of London broil.
• Write down times and temps so you can repeat your favorite result.
• Rely on the thermometer instead of color alone, since browning can mislead.

Safe Temperatures For London Broil

Official food safety charts recommend cooking whole cuts of beef such as steak and roasts to at least 145°F with a short rest. That limit aims to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria inside the meat. Some diners prefer a cooler center, and many restaurants serve steak that way, but home cooks should weigh that preference against the safety advice and their own risk tolerance.

If you want to stay close to official guidance while keeping London broil pleasant to eat, target 145°F in the thickest part, rest well, and slice very thin. The air fryer still gives you a nice crust, and the thin slices keep each bite tender.

Seasoning And Marinade Ideas For Air Fryer London Broil

How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer is only part of the story. Seasoning and marinade choices decide whether the meat tastes flat or has the kind of flavor that makes people ask for seconds. The cut handles bold flavors because it is lean and mild on its own.

Use the table below as a quick idea board for different flavor directions. Each set of ingredients works for 1–2 pounds of London broil.

Flavor Style	Main Ingredients	Best Serving Idea
Garlic Herb	Olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper	With roasted potatoes and green beans
Balsamic	Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic	Sliced over mixed greens with feta
Smoky Paprika	Oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder	With corn, grilled peppers, and rice
Asian Inspired	Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, brown sugar	Over rice or noodles with steamed vegetables
Lemon Pepper	Oil, lemon zest, cracked pepper, garlic, parsley	With roasted asparagus and couscous
Chimichurri Style	Parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, oil, chili flakes	Piled on sliced steak in warm tortillas

When using liquid marinades, always marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Discard the marinade after you remove the meat, or boil it if you plan to reduce it into a sauce. These simple steps line up with general food safety tips and keep your dinner plans on track.

Serving Ideas For Air Fryer London Broil

Once you master London broil in the air fryer, it turns into a handy base for many fast meals. Because the steak slices so easily, you can pair it with nearly any side dish or carb you already have in the kitchen.

Weeknight Plates

For a standard dinner plate, pair sliced London broil with:

• Air fryer potatoes or wedges from the same basket, cooked before or after the steak.
• Simple vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or carrots.
• A sauce like garlic butter, chimichurri, or a balsamic pan drizzle.

You can cook many vegetables in the air fryer while the steak rests, which makes full use of the appliance without extra pans on the stove.

Salads, Bowls, And Sandwiches

Leftover slices of London broil stay tender when sliced thin and stored properly. Use them cold or gently rewarmed for:

• Steak salads with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and a vinaigrette.
• Grain bowls with rice, quinoa, or farro plus roasted vegetables.
• Sandwiches on crusty rolls with lettuce, tomato, onions, and horseradish or mustard.

If you reheat slices in the air fryer, keep the temperature low, around 320°F (160°C), and heat for just 2–3 minutes so the meat warms without drying out.

Common Mistakes With Air Fryer London Broil

Even experienced cooks can trip over London broil when moving from a grill or broiler to an air fryer. A few simple tweaks remove most of the risk and help you get steady results every time.

Cooking Straight From The Fridge

Very cold meat takes longer to cook in the center while the outside races ahead. That gap often leads to a dry crust and a cool middle. Bringing the steak out of the fridge for a short period, then cooking in a fully preheated air fryer, narrows that gap and gives the heat a head start.

Skipping The Thermometer

Color can mislead, especially in the air fryer, where intense heat browns the outside quickly. A simple digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of How To Cook London Broil In An Air Fryer and helps you repeat your favorite doneness from one week to the next.

Overcrowding The Basket

Piling two thick steaks in one layer, or folding a long piece to fit, slows down air flow and leads to uneven cooking. If you need to cook more than one London broil, run them in separate batches or use a larger air fryer so hot air can reach every surface.

Slicing With The Grain

Even a perfectly cooked London broil can feel tough if it is sliced in the same direction as the muscle fibers. When you slice across the grain, you shorten those fibers, which makes each bite easier to chew. Take a second to study the pattern before you cut, then angle your knife so each slice crosses those lines.

Food Safety And Storage For Air Fryer London Broil

Good texture and flavor matter, but so does safety. Beef that sits out too long or cools slowly can let bacteria grow to unsafe levels. A few simple habits keep your London broil tasty and safe from fridge to table.

Safe Handling Before And After Cooking

From the time you bring the package home:

• Keep raw beef in the refrigerator and cook within 3–5 days, or freeze it.
• Store it on a plate or tray to catch any juices and keep those away from produce.
• Wash hands, cutting boards, and knives after they touch raw meat.

After cooking, refrigerate leftover slices within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the room is very warm. Use shallow containers so the meat cools quickly.

Reheating Leftover London Broil

For the best texture, reheat only what you plan to eat. Spread slices in a single layer in the air fryer at 300–320°F (150–160°C) for just a few minutes. You can also reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of broth. Try not to reheat the same batch more than once.

With these steps in place, London broil cooked in the air fryer turns into a handy, repeatable option for busy nights, meal prep, and casual gatherings. Once you learn your own air fryer’s timing and your household’s preferred level of doneness, this lean steak becomes a reliable regular in your dinner rotation.