Air fryer ribeye steak is easy and delicious to make! Preparing steak in the air fryer, even a high-quality cut like ribeye, is a quick and mess-free way to get perfectly cooked and juicy steak every time. And you can toss vegetables and potatoes into the basket to make it a one-pan meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air frying is the ultimate way to cook tender, juicy ribeye steak with minimal effort.
- This delicious steak recipe calls for simple ingredients and it comes together easily.
- I’m all about convenience in the kitchen, especially when cooking potentially messy ingredients like bacon or steak. And that’s the best thing about using my air fryer! It reduces the sputtering and smoke that goes hand-in-hand with traditional cooking methods for preparing steak.
Can You Air Fry Ribeye Steak?
Listen, I understand the skepticism about cooking steak in the air fryer, and I won’t argue. There’s nothing like the delicious char of a ribeye seared on the grill. However, if you’re short on time, cooking for one, or love the convenience, this easy air fryer ribeye steak recipe promises a flavorful, tender, and mess-free steak that rivals any steak cooked on the grill or in a pan.
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Ribeye Steak: Select a high-quality ribeye steak, about 1-inch thick. You can buy it fresh from your local butcher or grocery store, especially if you can find a sale.
- Spices: Season the steaks with a simple but flavorful combination of kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, and a steak seasoning like Montreal Seasoning.
- Butter: Add a small pat of butter to the top of the steaks during the last bit of cooking for the best flavor.
- Thyme: I enjoy using fresh herbs like thyme to flavor my steak as it cooks, but there are plenty of herbs for steak that are just as tasty.
Additions and Substitutions
- For even more flavor, replace the butter in the recipe with garlic herb butter, compound butter, or bone marrow butter.
How to Make Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). Then, season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper, and Montreal Seasoning.
Step 2: Spray the air fryer basket with oil and add the ribeye steaks. Depending on the size of the steak and the width of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Cook the steak for 7 minutes.
Step 3: Flip the steak and top them with butter and fresh thyme. Continue cooking for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the steak and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Letting them come to room temperature ensures the steaks cook evenly.
- Be sure to prepare the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent the steak from sticking.
- For the best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure the steak cooks to your liking.
- It’s important not to skip resting meat before serving, as this allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and flavorful steak.
Steak Temperature Guide
It is worth mentioning that the cooking times provided in this recipe are approximate. The most reliable method to determine whether a steak is done cooking is to check the internal temperature. Thinner cuts of ribeye steak will come to temperature much faster than thicker steaks.
| Rare | 120℉ (49℃) | The outside of the steak is browned, while the inside is red and juicy. |
| Medium Rare | 130℉ – 135°F (54℃) | Often referred to as the best way to enjoy steak, a medium rare ribeye steak will be pink with a warm red center. The recommended cooking time for this recipe should produce medium rare steaks, depending on the thickness of the steak and the strength of your air fryer. |
| Medium | 135-145°F (57℃) | A medium steak cooks longer, resulting in a warm pink center. |
| Well Done | 155℉ (68℃) and higher | The center of the steak will have a uniform brown color and be firmer to the touch. |
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What to Serve with Steak?
You can pretty much pair steak with anything. Some popular side dishes include vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
You can serve steak with a baked potato, french fries, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, wild rice, or try avocado cucumber tomato salad with homemade vinaigrette.
For a heavier meal, ribeye steak tastes delicious with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, mashed cauliflower, or a creamy pasta dish like the Gigi Hadid pasta recipe.
Toppings like sumac onions or sautéed mushrooms are always a win, and if you’re a sauce person like me, try horseradish cream sauce, lemon dill aioli, skhug, or bone marrow butter.
What to do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the steaks cool, and wrap them with plastic to prevent freezer burn. Store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Air fryer ribeye steak freezes for 2-3 months.
- Thaw – Defrost the steak in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat – Warm leftovers in the microwave or in the air fryer at 350℉ (176℃) for 5 minutes.
- Repurpose – If you have been here a while, then you know my favorite way to use leftover steak is to make a quesadilla, taco, or fajitas. You can slice it and use it as a topping for salads or sandwiches, or consider chopping it and adding it to omelets or scrambled eggs. Another option is to use it in a stir-fry with vegetables and rice or noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ribeye steak?
Ribeye steak is a cut of steak from the rib section of the cow. It is famous for being juicy, flavorful, and tender due to the fat marbling that runs throughout the meat.
How long to cook ribeye in air fryer?
The cooking time for a ribeye steak in an air fryer varies depending on the thickness of your steaks and your preferred level of doneness.
As a general guideline, a 1-inch thick ribeye steak can be cooked in an air fryer at 400°F (204℃) for 8-15 minutes for a medium-rare to medium doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure it has reached your desired level of doneness.
More Steak Recipes:
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- 2 ribeye steaks
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- 1 teaspoon Montreal Seasoning
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). Then, season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper, and Montreal Seasoning.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and add the ribeye steaks. Depending on the size of the steak and the width of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Cook the steak for 7 minutes.
- Flip the steaks and top them with butter and fresh thyme. Continue cooking for 5 minutes.
- Remove the steaks and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Letting them come to room temperature ensures the steaks cook evenly.
- Be sure to prepare the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent the steak from sticking.
- For the best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure the steak cooks to your liking.
- It’s important not to skip resting meat before serving, as this allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and flavorful steak.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Netty
Monday 25th of September 2023
I made this steak and it was a huge hit with everyone. They asked when can I make it again. It came out so tender and juicy!
Tressa Jamil
Monday 25th of September 2023
We love a meal that everyone can enjoy; I am happy it worked out for you.
Tiffany
Saturday 19th of August 2023
Oooh, I love a ribeye steak. I never knew I could make it in the air fryer. That's so much easier than setting up the grill!
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 19th of August 2023
And it's really good too! We live in the South and I am not acclimated to the humidity yet, so swaps like this are necessary for me sometimes.