This Air Fryer Ribeye Steak is charred on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Made in just 10 minutes, it’s the best way to cook steak indoors quickly with little to no mess. It’s a truly foolproof cooking method every time.
There’s something so damn satisfying about a steak that’s cooked correctly. And while it might be tempting to save that craving for when you go out to eat, there’s no need. Because you can easily achieve it at home, with little effort. This ribeye steak in the air fryer is beyond simple to make, ready to enjoy in no time, and the best part? There’s hardly any clean-up involved.
Starting with good quality, simple ingredients and the help of a handy kitchen appliance, you can enjoy a beautiful steak dinner any day of the week. Serve it bistro-style with a salad or frites, with stir fried veggies, as tacos, and so much more. No matter how it’s plated, we know you’ll enjoy.
If you like this Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, we definitely recommend trying some of our other favorite Steak Recipes. We’ve got loads of delicious ideas, and since there are so many different cuts to choose from, be sure to check out our Steak Cut Guide for all the info you’ll need to choose a steak. And take a peek at this Ribeye Steak recipe, too, for the scoop on how to cook it perfectly 5 different ways. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
There are so many methods of cooking steak—grilling, pan frying, sous vide’ing…the list goes on. But this air fryer method is one of our personal favorites, and here’s why:
- Quick Cooking: These ribeyes cook in 10–12 minutes and are ready to enjoy as soon as they rest. It really doesn’t get easier than that. And the air fryer does all of the work for you.
- Minimal Prep: All you have to do for prep is simply season your beef with salt and pepper. Easy.
- Foolproof: This recipe is tried-and-true, and comes out perfectly each time. Season, air fry, rest and enjoy!
- Versatile: This ribeye is delicious on it’s own, but it can be served in so many different ways once it’s perfectly cooked. Get creative and enjoy it however you’d like—from tacos, to salads, to stir fry, or simple alongside a tasty side dish like our Boursin Mashed Potatoes.
- Easy Clean-Up: The beauty of an air fryer is how little clean up it requires. There’s no oil splatter on the stove, no grills to clean, and no additional tools or dishes. Just clean the basket and tuck the airfryer away—an absolute breeze and mess-free.
Ingredients
- Ribeye Steaks: Marbled and juicy with bold beefy flavor, ribeyes are a great steak to air fry. Choose one that’s at least 1–2 inches in thickness to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Salt and Pepper: It’s essential to generously season any steak before cooking. Add more kosher salt than you think, it’s essential. This enhances the overall flavor of the beef and brings out the natural savoriness. Plus, salt and pepper is all a good steak really needs.
How To Make Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Meanwhile, pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Place one steak in the air fryer basket and cook until browned and an instant read thermometer inserted in the center registers 120-125ºF for medium rare or 130-135ºF for medium, 8 to 12 minutes. Then, repeat with the second steak. (If you’re air fryer is big enough to cook two at once, go ahead and do that!)
- Transfer the steaks to a plate and tent with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve as desired.
Expert Tips
- Bring Steak To Room Temperature: For accurate doneness, allow the steaks to come to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking. Avoid going straight from the fridge, to the air fryer with a very cold meat. But if you forget to pull the steaks out ahead of time, it’s not a huge issue.
- Thickness Matters: We recommend using steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Anything thinner is likely to overcook and become tough and chewy.
- Pat Steak Dry: Always do this with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking. This will ensure the seasoning sticks, and the beef browns nicely.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket: Cook one steak at a time to allow even cooking and browning on all sides. Don’t try to jam in more than one at time—cook in batches if you have a somewhat small airfryer. The batch cooking is worth it. That being said, if you have a massive airfryer, like this one, you can cook them at the same time.
- Let Steak Rest: Always allow the steak to rest rest before slicing. This way, the steak will remain juicy. If you slice it too early, you’ll lose all of those juices and flavor. Transfer the steak to a plate, loosely tent with foil, and let it rest 10 minutes.
Temperatures to Cook Ribeye to in the Air Fryer
Everyone has a preference on how they like their steak cooked. Here’s a temperature guide to follow. Use a meat thermometer and take the internal temperature of the steak.
- Rare: 125ºF, 4–6 minutes
- Medium-Rare: 130-135ºF, 6–8 minutes
- Medium: 145ºF, 8–10 minutes (USDA recommended)
- Well Done: 160ºF, 12–14 minutes
What to Serve with Ribeye Steaks
A simply seasoned, perfectly cooked steak is wonderful on its own as a main dish. Enjoy it as is, or try it alongside any of these delicious steak sides. This ribeye is so versatile, so get creative.
- Black and Blue Steak Salad: After the steak rests, slice it up and serve it over a crunchy, refreshing salad.
- Steak and Eggs: Great for a hearty breakfast, or breakfast for dinner, pair this ribeye with huevos.
- Caesar Salad: For classic steakhouse vibes, serve this alongside a traditional Caesar salad.
- Cauliflower Gratin: Comforting and cozy, this is a great side dish to pair with steak for the ultimate cold-weather meal.
- Fennel Salad: Bright, crunchy and refreshing, this salad works perfectly with the rich, beefy steak.
- Blackened Corn: One of our favorites to serve during the summer, serve this at your next barbecue or outdoor party.
- Celery Salad: Extra light and crunchy, these ingredients and flavors complement the meatiness of the steak.
Storing Instructions
We recommend enjoying this steak right after it’s cooked, but if you find yourself with some leftover, there are many different ways to use them. These are some of our favorite leftover steak recipes, and here are the best ways to store:
- Fridge: Store steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, or on the stove in a skillet over medium heat. You can always microwave it too, just reheat in increments on a lower powder to avoid overcooking it.
- Freezer: Freezing cooked steak isn’t ideal, as it can change it’s texture and flavor slightly, but if you need to, freeze in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you’re ready to serve, and reheat in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s best to enjoy this steak right after cooking, but if you need to reheat: gently reheat in a 350ºF oven, in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, or in a microwave, checking periodically to avoid overcooking.
Yes. Flip the steak halfway through the cook time to ensure even browning and cooking, regardless of the desired internal temperature.
Depending on the model, air fryers may have different settings. We recommend simply pre-heating your air fryer to 400ºF and air frying the steak at this temperature for best results. Follow our cook time and temperature guide for your preferred doneness, too.
Be mindful to not overcook your steak, which will cause it to dry out. We recommend cooking steak 5-degrees under the desired internal temperature, as the steaks will continue to cook slightly as they rest. Use a meat probe to get an accurate read!
More Easy Steak Recipes
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Description
Ingredients
- 2 (1 to 2-inch-thick) ribeye steaks
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400ºF.
- Pat steaks dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Place one steak in air fryer basket and cook until browned and an instant read thermometer inserted in center registers 120-125ºF for medium rare or 130-135ºF for medium, 8–12 minutes. Repeat with second steak.
- Transfer steaks to a plate and tent with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice steak and serve as desired.
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Equipment
Notes
- Fridge: Store steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, or on the stove in a skillet over medium heat. You can always microwave the steak, too, just be careful not to overcook it.
- Freezer: Freezing steak isn’t ideal, as it can change it’s texture and flavor slightly, but if you need to, freeze in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you’re ready to serve, and reheat in the oven, stovetop or microwave.
- Rare: 125ºF, 4-6 minutes
- Medium-Rare: 130-135ºF, 6-8 minutes
- Medium: 145ºF, 8-10 minutes
- Well Done: 160ºF, 12-14 minutes
- Bring Steak To Room Temperature: For the best flavor and texture, allow steak to come to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking. Avoid going straight from the fridge, to the air fryer with a very cold steak.
- Thickness Matters: We recommend using steaks that are at least 1 inch thick. Anything thinner is likely to overcook and become tough and chewy.
- Pat Steak Dry: Always do this with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking. This will ensure the seasoning sticks, and the steaks brown nicely
- Don’t Overcrowd Air Fryer Basket: Cook one steak at a time to allow even cooking and browning on all sides. Don’t try to jam in more than one at time – cook in batches, instead. It’s worth it, trust us.
- Let Steak Rest: Always take at least 10 minutes to let steak rest before slicing. This way, the steak will remain juicy. If you slice it too early, you’ll lose all of those juices and flavor.
