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Air fryer New York Strip Steak is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a tender, juicy, restaurant-quality steak at home. With just a light coating of olive oil and simple seasonings, the air fryer browns the outside beautifully while keeping the inside cooked exactly to your preferred doneness.
It’s quick, reliable, and perfect for nights when you want a great steak without heating up the grill or dealing with extra cleanup. If you enjoy this recipe, don’t miss our other air fryer steak favorites, including this flavorful air-fried filet mignon.
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Juicy and beefy with a browned outside and a tender, perfectly cooked center. Simple seasonings let the natural flavor of the New York strip shine.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes + 5-10 minutes resting (remove steaks from refrigeration 30 minutes before cooking)
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 20-25 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 2
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, tongs, instant-read thermometer, and a small brush or spoon for applying oil.
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Best enjoyed fresh, but cooked steak can be frozen for up to 2–3 months. Slice before freezing for easier reheating.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Pat the steak very dry before seasoning to help it brown beautifully in the air fryer and avoid steaming.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor: All you need are two New York strip steaks, olive oil, and simple seasonings to create a steakhouse-quality meal.
- Juicy, perfectly cooked results: The air fryer locks in moisture, giving you tender, flavorful steak every single time. Just like our air fryer sirloin steak and air fryer ribeye recipes.
- No grill required: Skip firing up the BBQ! The air fryer delivers that delicious sear with way less effort.
- Fast, fuss-free dinner: Just season, air fry, and serve. It’s the easiest way to get a satisfying steak dinner on the table any night of the week.
Ingredients
- New York Strip Steaks: Choose New York strip steaks that are about 1 to 1¼ inches thick with plenty of visible marbling. The thickness gives the steak enough time to build a beautiful sear in the air fryer without overcooking the center, while the marbling melts as it cooks, keeping the meat juicy and full of flavor. Try to pick steaks that are evenly shaped so they cook consistently from edge to edge.
- Olive Oil: A light coating of olive oil helps the steak brown more deeply in the air fryer’s dry heat and also prevents it from sticking to the basket or grate. You only need a thin layer—just enough to lightly gloss the surface—so the steak caramelizes evenly without creating excess smoke.
Variations
- Garlic Butter Steak: For a rich, restaurant-style finish, top each steak with a pat of garlic and herb butter before cooking, or melt a slice of homemade cowboy butter over the hot steaks as soon as they come out of the air fryer. The warm butter seeps into the meat and adds layers of savory flavor.
- Spicy Steak: If you like a little heat, marinate the steaks in a simple blend of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce before air frying. Sprinkle on some chili powder or cayenne to give the crust a bold, spicy kick without overpowering the natural flavor of the NY strip.
- Mushroom Steak: A juicy steak topped with mushrooms is always a win. You can quickly sauté sliced mushrooms in butter on the stovetop, or keep things fully hands-off by pairing the steak with these air fryer mushrooms for an easy upgrade.
- Peppercorn Crust: For a classic steakhouse twist, press coarsely crushed black pepper into both sides of the steak before air frying, for a fragrant, slightly spicy crust that pairs perfectly with a NY strip’s buttery texture.
- Smoky Cajun: Coat the steak lightly with olive oil and rub on a Cajun or Creole-style seasoning blend. As the spices toast in the air fryer, they develop a deep smoky flavor that adds heat and complexity without requiring a marinade, similar to this air-fried Cajun shrimp.
How to Air Fry Strip Steaks
To get started, remove the steaks from your refrigerator and take them out of the packaging. Place them on a plate or cutting board to sit for approximately 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Place the steaks in your air fryer basket, with a ¼ to ½ inch space between them. Avoid stacking or overlapping. This allows the air to circulate so your steak can cook properly. Brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil.
- Season the steaks with salt and ground pepper, and add any additional seasonings you may want for extra flavor.
- Air fry steaks at 400° F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Adjust time depending on your personal preference for steak doneness, and the size of your steaks. When ready, remove the steaks and place on a cutting board or plate. Let the steaks rest in their juices for 5-10 minutes before cutting
🍽️ Serving Tip: This air fryer steak recipe goes with almost any side dish from air fryer asparagus or air fryer broccoli to a salad and potatoes!
Strip Steak Doneness & Cooking Time Chart (400°F)
Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer for the most accuracy. The times below are based on 1-inch New York strip steaks. Thinner steaks will cook faster, while thicker steaks may need a few extra minutes. Use the internal temperature as your true guide.
| Doneness Level | Target Internal Temp* | Approx. Cook Time at 400°F | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 120–125°F | 7–8 minutes | Very red, cool center |
| Medium-Rare | 130–135°F | 8–10 minutes | Warm red center; best balance of tenderness + flavor |
| Medium | 140–145°F | 10–12 minutes | Warm pink center |
| Well-Done | 150–155°F | 12–13 minutes | Slight blush of pink |
| Well-Done | 160°F+ | 13–15 minutes | Fully cooked throughout |
🔥 Steaks rise 3–5°F as they rest, so pull them a little early for the perfect doneness.
Oven-Style Air Fryer Note: Oven-style air fryers usually take a little longer to cook steak because they have a larger cooking cavity and the heat isn’t as direct as in basket models. If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, plan to add 1–2 extra minutes to the cook times in the chart and check the internal temperature early to avoid overcooking.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the Steak Dry: Dry the surface thoroughly before adding oil or seasoning. Removing moisture helps the steak brown faster and prevents steaming.
- Season Well: Season or marinate your steaks before air frying to build flavor from the start. If you’re using a compound butter, keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or choose your favorite steak seasoning blend.
- Tenderize if Needed: For a softer bite, lightly pound the steak before seasoning and cooking. This breaks down tougher fibers and helps the steak cook more evenly.
- Let It Rest: Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices settle and redistribute so every bite stays juicy.
- Give It Space: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Proper airflow around the steak is what creates that delicious golden crust.
- Flip for Even Browning: Turn the steak halfway through cooking so both sides brown evenly, especially in top-heating air fryers.
Storing and Reheating
- Leftovers: Store leftover cooked strip steak in an airtight container, wrapped in foil or plastic wrap, or sealed storage bag in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze it for up to three months.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat leftover steak is to warm it gently in the air fryer so it stays juicy instead of drying out. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, then place the steak in a single layer and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature. Thicker steaks may need an extra minute. For step-by-step instructions and tips to prevent overcooking, check out our full guide on how to reheat steak in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Strip Steak Recipe FAQs
Browning usually comes down to moisture and airflow. If the surface of the steak is damp, it will steam instead of sear, so pat it very dry before adding oil or seasoning. A thin layer of oil also helps promote caramelization. Finally, make sure the steaks have plenty of space in the basket. Overcrowding blocks airflow and keeps the exterior from browning properly. If you find your steak isn’t browning enough, brush on a tiny bit more oil or increase the cook time by 1–2 minutes. Leaner steaks and oven-style air fryers sometimes need a little extra time to develop color.
Absolutely! I’ve tested almost every cut of steak in the air fryer, including cooking frozen steak in the air fryer without thawing the. I find air-fried steaks come out juicy and delicious, like my air fryer T-bone steak. For most cuts, you only need to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two, depending on the thickness of the cut.
Trim any excess fat that might drip onto the heating element, pat the steak dry, and avoid using too much oil. In basket-style air fryers, adding a tablespoon of water to the drawer beneath the basket can help reduce smoke. Make sure your air fryer is clean, too, as old oil or residue is one of the most common causes of smoking.
Preheating isn’t always required, but it can help the steak start browning immediately and cook more evenly. If your air fryer automatically preheats, just follow the prompt. If not, preheating for 2–3 minutes at 400°F gives the steak a head start on developing that golden crust. If you prefer not to preheat, simply add an extra minute or two to the cook time.
More Air Fryer Steak Recipes
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Air Fryer New York Strip Steak
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 New York Strip Steaks, 6-8 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, You may not use all of the oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the steaks from your refrigerator and remove the store packaging. Place them on a plate or cutting board for approximately 30 minutes before air frying.
- Once the steaks have reached room temperature brush both sides of steak with olive oil and season steaks with salt and ground pepper. Add any additional seasonings you may want for extra flavor.
- Place each steak in your air fryer basket, allow ¼ to ½ inch between steaks, without stacking or overlapping. This allows air to circulate and get the best cook on your steak.
- Air fry the steaks at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking process. Depending on your personal preference of steak doneness. For larger steaks or thicker steak, cooking times will vary.
- When the steak has reached your desired doneness, remove the basket from the air fryer and place the steaks on a cutting board or cookie sheet. Let the steaks rest in their own juices for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Make sure the surface is completely dry before adding oil or seasoning. This helps the steak brown properly instead of steaming.
- Season or marinate the steak before cooking to build flavor from the start. If you’re topping it with a compound butter, simple salt and pepper work great, or use your favorite steak seasoning blend.
- Give the steak a few minutes to rest before slicing. The juices redistribute as it cools slightly, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Good airflow around the steak is key to achieving a nicely browned crust.
- Turn the steak halfway through cooking so both sides brown evenly, especially in air fryers that heat mainly from the top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
