Air Fryer Entrecôte
Air fryer entrecôte is a quick way to cook a rib-cut steak with a well-browned crust and a rosy middle, with no smoky kitchen and no spitting pan. At 200°C, a 2.5cm steak takes about 8 minutes for medium-rare. The key steps are a dry surface, a preheated basket and a proper rest before slicing.
- Total
- 41 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 530kcal
Ingredients and swaps for air fryer entrecôte
You need little more than good steak, oil and seasoning. Ribeye, sirloin and rump steaks all work, though rump needs a minute or so extra and has a firmer texture. If you do not have fresh rosemary, thyme works well. Skip the olive oil and use rapeseed oil if you prefer a neutral flavour.
A standard basket fits two steaks side by side. For four, cook them in two rounds and keep the first pair warm under foil.
How to prepare air fryer entrecôte
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Bring to room temperature Take the steaks out of the fridge before cooking. Pat them completely dry with kitchen paper, then rub with the oil and season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for . The basket should be hot when the steaks go in, as this helps the surface brown.
- Cook Place the steaks in the basket in a single layer, not touching, and add the garlic and rosemary alongside. Cook at 200°C for for medium-rare, turning after . For medium, cook for . The steak should read 50–52°C for medium-rare or 55–57°C for medium on a meat thermometer.
- Rest and serve Lift the steaks onto a warm plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for , which lets the juices settle and the temperature rise by a few degrees. Slice against the grain and serve with chips or a green salad.
Serving air fryer entrecôte
Chips, peppercorn sauce, garlic butter or a simple watercress and tomato salad are all good with the steak. For a quick sauce, melt a knob of butter with a crushed garlic clove and spoon it over the steaks as they rest.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Entrecôte
- The steak is grey on the outside and has no crust.
- The surface was wet or the basket was not hot enough. Pat the steaks dry with kitchen paper and preheat the air fryer for the full 3 minutes.
- The steak is overdone in the middle.
- Steaks vary in thickness. Start checking with a thermometer 2 minutes early, and remove medium-rare steaks at 50–52°C, as they will keep cooking while they rest.
- The rosemary and garlic burn.
- Keep the garlic in its skin and tuck the rosemary beside the steak, not on top. Remove them with tongs if they start to darken.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Entrecôte
What is an entrecôte steak?
It is a steak cut from the rib section, with good marbling. In British shops it is usually sold as ribeye, or sometimes as sirloin. Any steak 2.5cm thick will work with these timings.
How long do you cook steak in the air fryer?
A 2.5cm steak takes 8 minutes at 200°C for medium-rare and 10 minutes for medium, turned halfway. Thinner steaks need 1–2 minutes less and thicker ones need 2–3 minutes more.
Can you cook steak from frozen in an air fryer?
It is not recommended, as the outside overcooks before the middle is ready. Defrost steaks overnight in the fridge, then bring them to room temperature before cooking.
Can you cook it well done?
Yes. Cook for 12–14 minutes at 190°C, turning halfway, until the thermometer reads 70°C or above. Rest as usual.
How did you like the recipe?
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