Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak
This perfectly cooked, juicy Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak is ready in just 10 minutes with only three simple ingredients and a few easy steps! Serve it along Easy Air Fryer Asparagus for the best weeknight family meal.
Many people assume cooking steak means firing up a grill or using special tools, but here’s the secret: your air fryer can handle it with ease! That trusty gadget on your countertop can cook up a rib-eye steak that’s perfectly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a rib-eye steak in the air fryer with minimal effort and incredible results.
Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.
Why Air Fryers Are Great for Steak
Air fryers are like mini convection ovens that circulate hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. The consistent heat makes them ideal for evenly cooked steaks with a beautiful crust. Plus, they’re incredibly convenient—no need to preheat a grill or deal with messy stovetop splatter.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Steak
- Speed: Cooks steak faster than traditional methods.
- Consistency: Ensures even cooking without constant monitoring.
- Clean-Up: Less mess compared to grilling or pan-searing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing the Right Rib-Eye Steak
Look for steaks that are fresh, well-marbled, and around 1–1.5 inches thick. The marbling (those white streaks of fat) is what makes a rib-eye so flavorful and tender. Fresh steaks are always ideal, but frozen can work too—just ensure they’re properly thawed before cooking.
Although Bone-in rib-eyes often have more flavor , they may cook slightly slower in the air fryer. Boneless rib-eyes are easier to handle and cook evenly.
Seasoning
When it comes to seasoning, I keep it simple! All you need is salt, pepper, and perhaps a touch of garlic powder. Let the steak shine without overloading it with too many spices.
How to Make Ribeye Steak in an Air Fryer?
Important Note
Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.
Cooking ribeye steaks in an air fryer is easy, quick, and fuss-free. However, it’s important to follow these simple steps to achieve the best results:
Allow your steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Set your air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and let it heat up for 3–5 minutes. Preheating is important for achieving a nice sear.
Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave some space between them and avoid overcrowding the air fryer to allow air to circulate properly.
Quick Tip!
Avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket and cook your ribeye steaks in batches if you are feeding a crowd!
Cook your steak based on your preferred doneness:
Rare: 6–7 minutes (internal temp: 125°F)
Medium-Rare: 8–10 minutes (internal temp: 135°F)
Medium: 10–12 minutes (internal temp: 145°F)
Well-Done: 13–15 minutes (internal temp: 160°F)
The cooking times provided are based on a rib-eye steak that is approximately 1 to 1.5 inches thick. This size ensures even cooking and is a common thickness for rib-eye steaks. If your steak is thinner or thicker, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly:
- Thinner Steaks (less than 1 inch): Reduce the cooking time by 1–2 minutes for each level of doneness.
- Thicker Steaks (over 1.5 inches): Add 2–3 minutes for each level of doneness, and consider checking the internal temperature more frequently to avoid overcooking.
Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time for even browning. Once cooked, remove the steak and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, and keep the steak juicy inside.
Expert Tips From the Chef
- Allow your steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying them.
- A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking. Insert it into the thickest part of the steak for an accurate reading.
- For an extra touch, melt a little butter with minced garlic and fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) while the steak rests. Drizzle it over the top for added richness.
- To have a nice crust on your steaks, pat dry them before seasoning and preheat your air fryer properly. A light brush of oil can also help.
- Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, and keep the steak juicy inside.
Cleaning Your Air Fryer After Cooking Steak
Steak juices can cause some splatter, so cleaning up promptly is a good idea.
Let the air fryer cool down completely. Remove the basket and soak it in warm, soapy water. Use a non-abrasive sponge to clean any stuck-on bits. Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth.
How to Serve Air Fryer Ribeye Steak?
A great steak deserves great sides. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
20 Minutes Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Frozen French Fries in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms without Cream Cheese
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time for bone-in cuts.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Aim for 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, and 145°F for medium.
It’s not necessary, but you can if you prefer additional flavors. A simple mix of olive oil, garlic, and herbs works well.
Yes, flipping ensures even browning and cooking on both sides.
Yes, but it’s best to thaw the steak first for even cooking. If cooking from frozen, increase the cooking time by 4–5 minutes.
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the process of preparing this easy Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak just as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit!
Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak
Ingredients
- 2 rib-eye steaks (1–1.5 inches thick)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Allow your steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheating is important for achieving a nice sear. Set your air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and let it heat up for 3–5 minutes.
- Place the steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave some space between steaks and avoid overcrowding the air fryer to allow air to circulate properly.
- Cook your steak based on your preferred doneness: Rare: 6–7 minutes (internal temp: 125°F)Medium-Rare: 8–10 minutes (internal temp: 135°F)Medium: 10–12 minutes (internal temp: 145°F)Well-Done: 13–15 minutes (internal temp: 160°F)
- Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Once cooked, remove the steak and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, and keep the steak juicy inside.
Notes
- Allow your steaks to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying them.
- A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking. Insert it into the thickest part of the steak for an accurate reading.
- For an extra touch, melt a little butter with minced garlic and fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) while the steak rests. Drizzle it over the top for added richness.
- To have a nice crust on your steaks, pat dry them before seasoning and preheat your air fryer properly. A light brush of oil can also help.
- Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, and keep the steak juicy inside.
