Air fryer ribeye steak is simple and delicious! Cooking a high-quality cut like ribeye in the air fryer is a quick, mess-free way to achieve perfectly juicy steak every time. Toss some veggies or potatoes in the air fryer basket for an effortless one-pan meal.
Can You Air Fry Ribeye Steak?
I’m all about making life easier in the kitchen, especially when cooking messy ingredients like bacon or steak. That’s why I love using an air fryer—it minimizes the smoke and splatter for clean, hands-free cooking without all the hassle.
Listen, I get it—air fryer steak is unconventional, and nothing beats the flavor of a perfectly charred ribeye hot off the grill. But if you’re short on time, cooking for one, or prefer the convenience, this air fryer ribeye steak recipe holds its own against grilled or stovetop steak.
Key Ingredients
This delicious steak recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly in the air fryer. Here’s what you need to get started.
- Ribeye Steak: Choose high-quality ribeye steaks around 1 inch thick. Check your local butcher or grocery store for the freshest cuts—bonus points if you catch a sale!
- Spices: Keep it simple with kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and a classic steak blend like Montreal Seasoning to let the meat shine.
- Butter: As the saying goes, “There are two main reasons food tastes better at restaurants, and they are….butter and salt.” Add a small pat of salted butter to the steak during the final minutes of cooking—it melts into the beef to enhance the flavor.
Additions and Substitutions
- Spice things up. A good steak only needs salt and pepper—maybe a sprinkle of garlic powder. But feel free to season the Ribeyes with your favorite steak seasoning.
What’s the best steak seasoning?
As I mentioned, I stick to the basics when it comes to seasoning steak to let the flavor of the meat come through. However, when you get sick of regular ole SPG and steak seasoning, try them with Copycat Slap Ya Mama Seasoning Recipe or blackened seasoning.
- Top it off. Swap regular butter for compound butter recipes. Try my pesto butter, chimichurri butter, chive butter, onion butter, or savory bone marrow butter for even more flavor.
- Add fresh herbs. Toss in some fresh herbs toward the end of cooking for a fragrant boost, or you can check out these creative ideas for using herbs for steak for more inspiration.
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℃). Generously season both sides of the steaks with kosher salt, black pepper, and Montreal Seasoning.
Step 2: Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes.
Cooking Tip
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches since you don’t want the steak to overlap; my air fryer can cook one ribeye steak at a time.
Step 3: Flip the steak and add a pat of butter on top. Cook for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Transfer the steak to a cutting board to rest for 5-10 minutes while you cook the remaining steak.
Expert Tips
- Use room-temperature steak. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Using room temperature steaks ensures a more even cook.
- How do I know when the steak is done cooking? Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the steak to monitor the internal temperature. Follow the steak temperature below so you can air fry the steaks to your liking.
- Rest the meat. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before serving; it’s worth the wait. Resting allows the juices in the meat to redistribute for juicy, flavorful steak.
Steak Temperature Guide
Keep in mind that the cooking times in this air fryer ribeye steak recipe are approximate. The best way to ensure your steak is cooked perfectly is to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Remember, thinner cuts of ribeye cook much faster than thicker ones.
| Rare | 120℉ (49℃) | The outside of the steak is brown, while the inside is red and juicy. |
| Medium Rare | 130℉–135°F (54℃) | Medium rare Ribeye steak will be pink with a warm red center. The recommended cooking time in this recipe should result in a medium-rare steak, though it may vary depending on the thickness of the steak and strength of your air fryer. |
| Medium | 135–145°F (57℃) | 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 the steak will be firm to the touch. |
If you enjoy air fryer ribeye steaks, try more air fryer recipes!
What to Serve with Ribeye Steak?
Air frying is the ultimate way to cook tender, juicy ribeye steak with minimal effort. Serve fresh sides like a simple salad with ranch dressing, asparagus, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower, or crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts.
You can’t go wrong with classic pairings like a buttery baked potato, french fries, or crispy roasted potatoes. Why not try sweet potatoes, jalapeño mashed potatoes, or a creamy pasta dish like pesto ricotta pasta or the viral Gigi Hadid pasta recipe?
Make the steaks even better by topping them with caramelized onions and mushrooms or tangy sumac onions. And don’t forget the homemade sauces on the side—horseradish cream sauce, lemon dill aioli, skhug, or chimichurri with cilantro.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Let the steaks cool completely. Wrap them in plastic and transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag to prevent freezer burn. Air fryer Ribeye steak freezes for 2-3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost the steak in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Heat the leftovers in the air fryer at 350℉ (176℃) for 5 minutes.
- Repurpose: If you’ve been following along for a while, my favorite way to use leftover steak is in a big ole salad– it also works for quesadillas, tacos, and fajitas. Mix the leftover Ribeye steak into scrambled eggs for a quick breakfast, or toss it in a wok with veggies for a quick stir-fry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ribeye steak?
Ribeye steak is cut from the rib section of the cow. The steaks are known for being tender and juicy thanks to the generous marbling of fat throughout the meat, giving Ribeyes their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor.
How long to cook ribeye in air fryer?
The time it takes to cook Ribeye steak in an air fryer varies based on the strength of your air fryer, the thickness of the steaks, and your desired level of doneness.
A one-inch thick ribeye steak takes 10-15 minutes to cook to medium-rare in an air fryer at 400°F (204°C); use a meat thermometer to monitor the steak’s internal temperature for more accurate cooking.
More Steak Recipes:
- Bison Steak Recipe
- Arugula Steak Salad
- Chimichurri Steak Tacos
- Lamb Shoulder Chop
- Carne Asada Platter
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- 2 ribeye steaks, 1-inch thick
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Montreal Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (204℃). Generously season both sides of the steaks with kosher salt, black pepper, and Montreal Seasoning.
- Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Tip: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches since you don’t want the steak to overlap; my air fryer can cook one ribeye steak at a time.
- Flip the steak and add a pat of butter on top. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the steak to a cutting board to rest for 5-10 minutes while you cook the remaining steak.
- Use room-temperature steak. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Using room temperature steaks ensures a more even cook.
- How do I know when the steak is done cooking? Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the steak to monitor the internal temperature. Follow the steak temperature below so you can air fry the steaks to your liking.
- Rest the meat. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before serving; it’s worth the wait. Resting allows the juices in the meat to redistribute for juicy, flavorful steak.
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.