Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Air fryer ribeye steak gives you a well-browned crust and a pink, tender middle in about 8 minutes, without the smoke and spitting of a hot frying pan. Ribeye has plenty of marbling, so it stays juicy in the dry heat. What matters is a steak about 2.5cm thick, a dry surface, a thermometer and a short rest, and the recipe covers all of them.
- Total
- 51 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 600kcal
Getting the texture of air fryer ribeye steak right
Doneness depends on thickness, so these times are for steaks about 2.5cm thick at 200°C, turned halfway:
- Rare: 6 minutes, 45°C in the centre
- Medium-rare: 8 minutes, 50°C
- Medium: 10 minutes, 55°C
- Well done: 12 minutes, 65°C or above
Whole steaks can safely be served pink, as the outside is cooked through. The thermometer matters more than the clock, because baskets and steaks vary. A thin steak of 2cm will be done 1–2 minutes sooner.
How to prepare air fryer ribeye steak
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Bring to room temperature Take the steaks out of the fridge before cooking. Pat them completely dry on both sides and around the edges with kitchen paper. A dry surface browns instead of steaming.
- Season Rub the oil over the steaks, then sprinkle with the salt, pepper and garlic powder and press the seasoning in with your fingers.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for . Don't put the steaks in a cold basket.
- Cook Lay the steaks in a single layer in the basket, without touching. Cook for , turn them with tongs and cook for more for medium-rare. For other levels, see the timings below. A thermometer should read 50°C in the centre for medium-rare.
- Rest Move the steaks to a warm plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for . The temperature rises by about 5°C as they rest, and the juices settle.
- Slice and serve Cut across the grain into thick slices and pour over any juices from the plate.
What to serve with it
Chips, a watercress salad, grilled mushrooms or tomatoes and a spoonful of mustard are all you need. If you do not have an air fryer, the same seasoning works for pan-fried ribeye steak. For a sauce to spoon over, see the peppercorn sauce in steak with pepper sauce.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- The air fryer is smoking.
- Ribeye is fatty, and the fat hits the hot drawer. Pour about 2 tbsp of water into the drawer under the basket before you start, and wipe the drawer clean afterwards.
- The steak is brown but lacks a dark crust.
- An air fryer browns but does not sear like cast iron. For a deeper crust, finish the rested steaks in a very hot dry frying pan for 30 seconds on each side.
- The steak is overdone.
- The steak was thinner than 2.5cm, or the basket runs hot. Check with a thermometer from 5 minutes, take the steaks out 5°C below your target, and remember that they keep cooking as they rest.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
How long do you cook ribeye steak in an air fryer?
For 2.5cm steaks at 200°C, about 6 minutes for rare, 8 for medium-rare, 10 for medium and 12 for well done, turning halfway. Use a thermometer to check.
What temperature should a medium-rare ribeye reach?
Take it out of the air fryer at 50°C, and it will rise to about 55°C as it rests. For medium, take it out at 55°C, and for well done at 65°C or higher.
Can you cook a frozen steak in an air fryer?
It is not worth doing, as the outside overcooks before the middle thaws. Defrost the steak in the fridge overnight, never at room temperature, then bring it out 30 minutes before cooking.
Can you cook two steaks at once?
Yes, if they lie flat without touching in a 4–5 litre basket. If they overlap, cook them one at a time and keep the first warm under foil while the second cooks.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 29 ratings
