Once you try this Air-Fryer Sirloin Steak recipe, it will be your preferred method of cooking steak! This cooking method takes half the time a grill does, and you can have steak all year long, rain or shine!
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My family is big on meat, especially steak. While I love grilling it, Mississippi's weather doesn't always permit outdoor cooking. This easy and foolproof recipe has been a game-changer for us, and I'm sure it will be for you, too!
Try this Air Fryer Sirloin Steak with chili lime potato stacks, spicy Mexican corn salad, fresh-quick-green-beans-almondine, best-ever-sweet-potato-casserole, or perfect-creamy-mashed-potatoes.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect and consistent results every time - I love using my air fryer for many recipes. It cooks meats and vegetables perfectly, and this air fryer sirloin steak recipe is no different! My steak always comes out perfect every time!
- Easy cleanup—Cleaning the air fryer basket is a lot less work than cleaning a grill, skillet, or stove if you're cooking indoors.
- Time-efficient method - Anything you cook in the air fryer takes half the time of any other cooking method. This is especially important for things like steak, which must be eaten as soon as they're ready. Since I have to batch cook the steak on busy weeknights when everyone is trickling into dinner at different times, I pop the sirloin in my air fryer and cook it for them without any extra work.
- No need to have perfect weather - Planning a steak dinner, and it starts to pour? This air fryer sirloin steak recipe is ideal for those nights and winter when grilling is impossible.
- Great idea for low-carb diets - This is a great and easy recipe for anyone on a low-carb diet.
Ingredient notes
- Sirloin steak - This budget-friendly cut does well in the air fryer despite its lack of marbling. Usually available in 8 oz., 12 oz., or 16 oz. size I buy two medium steaks and cut them into four 6 oz. steaks for this recipe.
- Cooking oil - I use avocado oil as it has a high smoke point and tolerates the heat of the air fryer well. Canola, sunflower, peanut, and grapeseed oil are also great options.
- Seasoning - I like to use salt, pepper, and garlic blends for my air fryer sirloin steak. You can make your own from spices or buy a pre-mixed one at your local store.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
- Use a different cut of meat - This air fryer sirloin steak recipe also works great with a boneless ribeye, NY strip, tri-tip, or filet mignon.
- Make steak tips - These work best with sirloin, but you can use any other cuts mentioned above. Cut the steak into 1-inch pieces, season, toss in the oil, and air-fry for 6-8 minutes.
- Try different spices - When it comes to steak, my rule is to source good quality meat and let the flavor of the cut lead the way. However, if you like to experiment, you can add spices and herbs, like paprika, onion powder, coriander, thyme, rosemary, and sage, to name a few.
- Add a topping—Toppings like caramelized onions, mushrooms, chimichurri, seafood, and even peppercorn sauce are great additions to this air fryer sirloin steak recipe.
- Use compound butter—This is the easiest way to add flavor to a steak. You can buy store-bought compound butter or make your own with ingredients like garlic, microgreens, and edible flowers.
Step-by-step instructions
The critical element in this recipe is to source good quality meat. The ingredients are few, and the sirloin steak leads the way in this recipe.
First Step - Prepare the meat by coating it in cooking oil. I use avocado oil, but any high-heat index oil works well.
Second Step - Add the spices and massage well into the meat for maximum flavor. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
Third Step - Air fry the steaks at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and flip them after 4 minutes so both sides get a good sear. After 6 minutes, check the steak's internal temperature using a reliable meat thermometer.
Fourth Step - Once your steak is done, let it rest for 5 minutes using a foil tent. Serve with your favorite sides and a dollop of compound butter.
Pro tip: The chart below gives a time range as ovens vary. For best results, cook the steak to the lowest time in the range and then check the internal temperature using your thermometer. Always stop cooking when you're 5 degrees less than your ideal temperature, as the steak will continue to cook for 5-10 minutes after it's been removed from the air-fryer.
Expert Tips
- Get a thick steak - Make sure the steak is at least 1 inch thick. Anything thinner won't brown nicely on the surface and will likely become overcooked and chewy.
- Cook at room temperature - I try leaving my steak on the counter for 30 minutes, so it's at room temperature before cooking. This results in more even cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer - A well-preheated oven ensures that the outside of the meat starts to cook immediately. This seals in the juices, like searing, and makes for a more succulent piece of meat.
- Flip the steak - Make sure to turn the steak over halfway through the cooking period so both sides are evenly browned.
- Baste With Oil - The air fryer cooks the steak at a high temperature, which can cause the meat to dry out. A good oil coating is necessary, and basting halfway through the cooking may be required.
- Use a dry rub - A dry rub, especially with paprika, helps the meat brown better.
- Batch cook - Never overcrowd your air fryer basket. I usually cook two steaks at a time in my air fryer. The size of your air fryer basket and steak will determine how many steaks you can cook at a time.
- Resting Time - Take your steak out of the oven when cooked to 5-10 degrees less than the recommended temperature for the juiciest steak. It will continue to cook even after it's been removed from the air fryer. Place loosely tented foil over the meat to keep it warm while it rests. Resting is essential as it gives the meat fibers time to relax and the juices time to redistribute, making the steak juicier and more tender.
Recipe FAQS
These are terms that indicate the quality of the meat. A select cut is the most affordable but is usually of inferior quality and will likely be on the tough side. A choice cut is ideal for this recipe and is available at most local supermarkets, which are likely to have it. Slightly more expensive, it will result in a juicy steak. The prime cut is top-of-the-line and can usually only be found at specialty meat shops.
Any leftover steak can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat the steak for 3-5 minutes.
Leftover steak can be used to re-create lots of other recipes. Try a steak-filled omelet for breakfast, a protein-packed lunch salad with steak topping, and delicious fajitas for dinner.
Other air fryer recipes you may like
For more Pakistani recipes like this, check out 20 popular Pakistani recipes. If you decide to try this recipe, Please don't forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
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Ingredients
- 4 sirloin steaks (see notes)
- 4 tablespoon Cooking oil (see notes)
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon butter (see notes)
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes.
- Rub the steaks with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
- air fry the steak anywhere from 6-14 minutes, depending on how you like your steak cooked. (see notes)
- After the steak is cooked to your liking, you can just cover it loosely with some foil so it can rest for 5 minutes. (see notes)
- Add ½ a tablespoon of butter to each steak and serve with your favorite sides.
Saima Kamal
Super easy and absolutely delicious! The steaks were juicy and flavorful. Served it with a side of stir fried veggies; perfect weeknight dinner in under 15 mins! Will definitely be making this again!
Nosheen Babar
So glad you liked it ?
Irene Stadt
I also use an air fryer/toaster oven.
To do the steak, do you put the PAN under the grate?? Otherwise, wouldn't the juices leak onto the elements?
Nosheen Babar
Hi Irene,
Yes, my air fryer oven has a grate/basket with a tray right under it so the juices drip onto the tray. If you want to share the make and model of your air fryer I'd be happy to look and give you more precise instructions!
Barbara
Does this recipe use an air fryer or air fryer oven? If oven, I know you said 400 degrees but what food setting do you use?
untoldrecipesbynosheen
Hi Barbara! I use an Air Fryer. What you see in the picture doubles as an Air Fryer and a Toaster Oven. All I do is turn it to the Air Fryer Setting, set the temperature to 400 degrees and use my timer.
This is how my air fryer works. If you have a different model then you may need to adjust the timings. If you tell me what you have I can try and help you figure it out.
Joanne
When do you use the butter?
untoldrecipesbynosheen
When you plate it. I apologize I may not have clarified that! I use a flavored butter, truffle or garlic are my two favorites and my grocery store carries them.