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Air Fryer Filet Mignon is one of those recipes that genuinely surprised me the first time I made it. I wasn’t sure an air fryer could do justice to such a beautiful cut of beef, but it absolutely can. You get a tender, juicy steak with a perfectly browned outside, ready in about 15 minutes, with almost no effort and zero mess.
Whether you’re making it for a special dinner or just because you deserve something good, this one delivers every time. For ways to air fry steak, try this air fryer London broil next!
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Rich, tender beef but easy to customize by adding seasonings or serving with a compound butter.
⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
🔥 Cook time: 10-12 minutes + 5-10 minute rest
⏲️ Total time: 20-27 minutes from start to finish
👥 Servings: 2
🥄 Tools: Air fryer
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes! Leftover steak freezes great for up to 3 months. You can enjoy it reheated or cold on a salad or sandwich.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Use a thermometer and check the temperature table to cook your steak just the way you want, rather than relying on time only.
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Who knew? Best steak I’ve ever cooked in my life! I did add a few more minutes, but oh so tender!
-Erna
Filet mignon used to feel like a restaurant-only kind of meal. It’s the most tender cut of beef you can buy, and when cooked right, it practically melts when you cut into it. That kind of steak felt like it needed a hot cast iron pan, a chef’s technique, and a lot of attention. And then I tried it in the air fryer.
It turns out the air fryer is one of the best ways to cook a filet. The circulating heat wraps around the steak evenly, so you don’t have to babysit it or worry about one side getting ahead of the other.
For more air fryer steak dinner recipes, try air frying ribeye, air frying steak kebabs, and these garlic steak bites in the air fryer turn out so juicy every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easier than any other method. No cast iron, no grill, no smoke alarm. The air fryer does the work and gives you consistent results every single time.
- It works for any occasion. Fancy enough for a date night or holiday dinner, simple enough to make on a weeknight when you just want something really good.
- It’s endlessly customizable. Top it with compound butter, air fryer sauteed onions, or keep it plain with just salt and pepper.
If you’re just getting started with your air fryer, this recipe is a great place to begin, and you’ll find over 100 more ideas waiting for you in my collection of air fryer recipes for beginners
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Filet Mignon Steaks: Look for steaks that are about 1.5 inches thick and as uniform in shape as possible, so they cook evenly. At the store, USDA Prime or Choice are your best bets. Prime has more marbling and richer flavor, while Choice is still excellent and more widely available. You can also cut a whole beef tenderloin and cut it into individual steaks yourself.
- Olive Oil: Brushed on both sides before seasoning, it helps the salt and pepper adhere and promotes even browning. Avocado oil works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
- The Finishing Touch: This is the part that makes it feel like a real steakhouse meal. I always top my filet with a compound butter, like this cowboy butter for steak, right after it comes out of the air fryer. The heat from the steak melts it right in, and every bite is rich, herby, and absolutely delicious. You can also try blue cheese butter and garlic (and herb) butter.
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with quantities.
Variations
- Montreal Steak Seasoning: A classic steak seasoning with coarse salt, pepper, garlic, and a little heat. It adds a bolder, more savory crust. For a bolder, spicy and sweet flavor, try this homemade BBQ seasoning.
- Garlic Powder + Smoked Paprika: My go-to when I want a little extra depth without overpowering the beef. Mix about ¼ teaspoon of each with the salt and pepper before seasoning.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: This one surprises people, but it works. The sesame, garlic, onion, and poppy seed blend creates a nice crust and adds a ton of flavor. I have a homemade everything bagel seasoning recipe if you want to make your own.
- Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon: Wrapping the filet in bacon adds a little smokiness, helps keep the outside from drying out, and just looks impressive on the plate. Wrap one strip of bacon around the outside edge of each filet and secure it with a toothpick. Just make sure to remove the toothpick before serving.
How to Cook Filet Mignon in the Air Fryer
Before you start, go ahead and preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes at 380°F. A warm basket gives the outside of the steak a better start and helps cook the steak more evenly.
- Pat each steak dry using a paper towel. Then brush both sides with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place in the air fryer basket to air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip the steaks over and cook another 5-6 minutes, or until desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness to avoid over- or under-cooking. When ready, remove from the air fryer and let it rest in its own juices for about 5-10 minutes before eating.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon Temperature Guide
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness! It’s the only reliable way to know exactly where your steak is, especially with an expensive cut you don’t want to guess on.
| Doneness | Internal Temp | Total Cook Time at 380°F |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | 125°F | ~8–9 min |
| Medium Rare | 135°F | ~10 min |
| Medium | 145°F | ~11–12 min |
| Medium Well | 155°F | ~13 min |
| Well Done | 160°F | ~14–15 min |
Times are based on a 1.5-inch filet, flipped halfway through. Thicker steaks will need a few extra minutes. Always pull by temperature, not time!
Expert Tips
- Always use a meat thermometer. With a cut this good, don’t guess. A meat thermometer takes the anxiety out of cooking an expensive steak and gives you a perfect result every time. Check with a thermometer and use the chart above to determine when your steak is done cooking.
- Pat the steaks dry before adding oil. This is a small step that makes a real difference. Moisture on the surface of the meat creates steam, which works against browning. A quick pat with a paper towel gives you a better sear and a nicer crust on the outside.
- Don’t skip the rest. Once the steak comes out of the air fryer, let it rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting into it. This gives the juices time to redistribute through the meat.
- Know your air fryer. Some air fryers run hotter than others. If yours tends to cook fast, check the internal temperature at the 8-minute mark rather than waiting for 10.
- Basket-style air fryers work best for steak. The sealed environment circulates heat tightly and gives the outside of the steak a nice sear. Oven-style or toaster oven combo air fryers can still work, but the results may vary. If yours doesn’t brown the steak as well, a quick pre-sear in a cast iron pan before air frying will get you there.
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat leftover filet mignon, place it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, just enough to warm it through without continuing to cook it. Skip the microwave; it’ll dry the steak out fast.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon Recipe FAQs
The cook time depends on how you like your steak done. At 380°F, a 1.5-inch filet takes roughly 10–12 minutes total, flipped halfway through to cook to medium doneness. For a full breakdown by doneness level, see the temperature guide above. Always pull by internal temperature rather than time, and remember every air fryer runs a little differently so you may need to adjust the timing a bit.
I cook filet mignon at 380°F. Most recipes call for 400°F or higher, but I find the slightly lower temperature gives a more even cook on a thick, tender cut like filet without risking the outside getting ahead of the inside. It’s a gentler approach that still delivers a beautifully browned exterior, especially when you preheat the basket first.
Not really. It’s best to thaw your filet completely before cooking. Starting from frozen makes it very difficult to get an even cook. Most often, the outside will be done long before the center reaches temperature.
Yes, most definitely! It takes just a few seconds and makes a real difference. Flipping ensures both sides brown evenly, which matters most in basket-style air fryers where the heat source is primarily from above. At the halfway mark, give it a turn and keep going until it hits your target temperature
Serving Suggestions
Upgrade your air-fried filet mignon with these air fryer onions. They have the perfect crisp texture to finish off your steak! You may also like these air-fried mushrooms for a savory, juicy finish.
Pair your filet with a simple side dish like these air fryer frozen vegetables and air-fried Hasselback potatoes.
More Air Fryer Steak Recipes
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Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 filet mignon, about 4-6 ounces each
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Optional Finishing Touch
- Cowboy Butter, Blue Cheese Butter, Garlic Herb Butter, or Garlic Butter
Instructions
- To prepare the filets, pat steaks dry, then coat the steaks with oil on the top and bottom of each piece.
- Then, season with salt and pepper, according to your preferences.
- Transfer steaks to the air fryer basket. Air fry at at 380 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip steaks halfway through cooking.
- Use meat thermometer to confirm preferred doneness. Once cooked, for extra tender steak, let steak rest for about 5-10 minutes before eating.
Video
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer. It’s the only reliable way to nail doneness on an expensive cut. Refer to the temperature chart in the post for guidance.
Pat the steaks dry before oiling. Moisture creates steam and works against browning. A quick pat with a paper towel makes a real difference.
Let the steak rest. Give it 5–10 minutes after cooking before cutting in — this keeps the juices in the meat where they belong.
Basket-style air fryers work best for steak. Oven-style combos can work but may not brown as well. If needed, a quick pre-sear in a cast iron pan before air frying will help.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Who knew? Best steak I’ve ever cooked in my life! I did add a few more minutes, but oh so tender!
Thank you Erna! That’s how I felt the first time I made a ribeye. I couldn’t believe how juicy it was! The biggest helper was that meat thermometer to make sure they don’t overcook. So glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious and easy!
Thank you!
I had to cook mine a little longer but it came out perfect. I use the Kansas city steak seasoning. I also topped it with butter and I sprinkled a little crushed up real garlic chips on it!! So amazing!! Thanks
Thank you for the feedback! So glad you like it!
FABULOUS!