This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
If you’re craving a steakhouse-quality dinner without firing up the grill or smoking out your kitchen, this Air Fryer Ribeye Steak is about to become your new favorite shortcut. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a juicy, perfectly cooked ribeye on the table faster than you can preheat a skillet.
And if you love trying different cuts in the air fryer, don’t miss my air fryer T-bone steak recipe. It’s just as easy and every bit as delicious.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
“I was skeptical but…I’ll never grill or pan fry a steak ever again. Seriously. Why all that work when it’s so much easier AND tastier AND juicier cooked in an air fryer ????”
-Ashley
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Rich steakhouse-style ribeye with a beautifully browned exterior and tender, juicy center.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 16 minutes + 10 minutes to rest
- ⏲️ Total time: 31 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 3
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, digital meat thermometer, tongs.
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Best cooked fresh, but leftover cooked ribeye freezes well up to 2 months.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: For the most consistent results, use a 1–1¼-inch steak and pull it a few degrees before your target temp as carryover heat will finish the job.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
I’ve made this air fryer ribeye steak so many times I can’t count! It has become my go to when I want a quick, juicy steak without firing up the grill. The first time I made his favorite cut of steak in the air fryer, my husband was so skeptical. He’s a “grill only” guy, but after one bite, he was hooked.
This recipe converted him, and now we make it at least once a week, though we love to mix it up with an air fryer filet mignon from time to time, especially when served with air-fried steak fries!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatile: Air fryer ribeyes pair with quick sides like air fryer Hasselback potatoes or honey-glazed carrots, making it easy to pull together a restaurant-quality dinner any night of the week.
- Consistent Results: The air fryer delivers steady, even heat, which helps your ribeye cook uniformly from edge to center.
- Fast and Convenient: You get a beautifully seared ribeye in a fraction of the time it takes to heat a grill or stovetop pan, and there’s no babysitting or complicated technique involved.
- Great for Any Skill Level: Whether you’re brand-new to cooking steak or already confident in the kitchen, the air fryer makes it nearly foolproof to nail your preferred doneness.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Ribeye Steaks: Choose boneless ribeyes about 1 to 1 ½ inches thick with good marbling for the juiciest results. Thicker steaks cook more evenly in the air fryer. Bone-in works too, but usually needs a little extra time. Try air frying flank steak next!
- Olive Oil: A light brush of oil helps the steak brown and stay moist. Olive oil works well, though avocado oil is a fine swap.
- Salt & Black Pepper: A simple seasoning is best for ribeye. Kosher salt or flaky sea salt is preferred along with freshly ground pepper to bring out the steak’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Air Fry Different Cuts of Steak: The method generally stays the same with just an adjustment to the cooking time. I love a good air-fried New York strip for special occasions, while cooking a sirloin in the air fryer makes a great budget-friendly option for those steak cravings.
- Expand the Seasoning: Don’t get too carried away, but you can add a sprinkle of garlic powder, cayenne powder, or smoked paprika for a flavorful twist.
- Add an Optional Flavor Boost: Top your air-fried ribeye with a compound butter, cowboy butter, garlic butter, or a drizzle of steak sauce.
How to Cook Ribeye Steak in the Air Fryer
To get started, remove your steaks 30 minutes ahead of time, preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil, and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Air fry at 400°F, flipping halfway through. When cooked to desired doneness, remove the steaks and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
Serve your air fryer ribeye steaks with tender air fryer asparagus, air fryer broccoli, or your favorite air-fried vegetables.
Air Fryer Ribeye Temperature Guide
These times are based on a 1 to 1¼-inch boneless ribeye cooked at 400°F (200°C). Ensuring your steak reaches the proper internal temperature is important for both safety and taste, and because steak thickness can vary, it’s always best to use a digital meat thermometer to confirm your preferred doneness.
| Doneness | Pull Temperature | Total Cook Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F | 7-8 minutes | Flip Halfway |
| Medium Rare | 130–135°F | 9-10 minutes | Flip Halfway |
| Medium | 140–145°F | 11-12 minutes | Flip Halfway |
| Medium Well | 150–155°F | 13-14 minutes | Flip Halfway |
| Wel Done | 160°F+ | 15-16 minutes | Flip Halfway |
Recipe Tip
- Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the most reliable way to prevent overcooking and ensure your ribeye reaches your ideal level of doneness every time.
- Let the Steak Rest: Allowing the steak to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and juiciness.
- Adjust for Thickness: Thinner steaks (¾ inch or less) can cook 2–3 minutes faster, while thicker steaks (1 ½ inches or more) may need an extra 2–4 minutes. For best results, always check with a thermometer.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Keep space between steaks so hot air can circulate properly and create a better sear.
- Storing & Reheating: Leftover ribeye keeps well for 3–4 days in an airtight container. For the best texture, warm it gently using my method for reheating steak in the air fryer so it stays juicy instead of drying out. And if you want to turn leftovers into a whole new meal, slice them thin and use them in steak burrito bowls for an easy lunch or dinner.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak FAQs
Yes, flipping the steak halfway through helps the steak cook evenly on both sides. I also recommend rotating the steaks in the basket, especially if you are aware of any hot spots in your air fryer.
Ribeyes that are 1 to 1¼ inches thick cook most evenly in the air fryer and give you the best balance of a browned exterior and juicy interior. Thinner steaks tend to cook too fast and can overcook around the edges, while thicker steaks may need extra time and a thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
You can, but thawed ribeye gives far better results. A frozen steak cooks unevenly. I find the outside can overcook before the center warms through. If you need to cook from frozen, start at a lower temperature (around 360°F) for a few minutes to begin thawing, then increase the heat to finish cooking, and rely on a thermometer to avoid over- or undercooking.
Set the air fryer to 350°F and warm the steak for 3–5 minutes, checking early so it doesn’t overcook. This gentle heat reheats the meat without drying it out. For step-by-step instructions, see my guide on reheating steak in the air fryer.
Yes, a ribeye steak can be marinated, but it’s not necessary since the cut is naturally flavorful and well-marbled. If you do marinate, choose something oil-based rather than sugary to prevent burning in the high heat of the air fryer, and pat the steak dry before cooking so it still gets a good sear.
More Simple Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
Dinner
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Dinner
Air Fryer Salmon
Dinner
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Chicken
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 rib eye steaks, 16 ounces each, about 1-1 ¼ thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Let the ribeye steaks rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Brush both sides of the steaks with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Check the internal temperature to avoid overcooking and get your exact preferred doneness.
- Let the Steak Rest: Rest the steak a few minutes before slicing so the juices can settle and stay in the meat.
- Adjust for Thickness: Thinner steaks may cook 2–3 minutes faster, while thicker cuts may need 2–4 extra minutes. Always confirm doneness with a thermometer.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Leave space between steaks so the air can circulate and create a better sear.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Never thought it would taste so good. Definitely will try again.
How long do you cook ribeye to well done? What temperature wood be est and how long to cook it?
Hi Sue. I believe this is on the post, but just in case you can’t find it, here it is. These are the temps recommended by the FDA.
Rare- 125 degrees F
Medium Rare- 135 degrees F
Medium- 145 degrees F
Medium Well- 155 degrees F
Well Done- 160 degrees F
Just found your website. The recipes look delicious and very easy to make !!! New to air frying. Live alone, but heard that buying a smaller air fryer is not always the best thing to do. I have limited kitchen space (and limited income) . Any suggestions as to a decent fryer to buy !!! It gets ver confusing. 78 and not the best of cooks !!! But need some good recipes to maintain my health ,!!! Not in the very best of health !!! Thanks a Bunch !!!
Hi Annie. You heard correctly! I have several air fryers and the smaller one cooks so slowly because it has much lower wattage, and it’s really only good for reheating something small. The Cosori 6.8 quart basket style air fryer is what I’ve used for everything. I can fit a 7 inch cake pan in it, and even a 4 pound whole chicken! There is a link on the post underneath the directions that can show you one on Amazon. Thanks!
I followed the directions and did 6 minutes, flipped, and then another four. Added the butter and another minutes for medium rare. It was delicious.
Yay! So glad you liked it. ๐
I made two boneless ribeye steaks and shortened the time to 10 minutes. Weโre not big blue cheese fans so I used the juices from the steaks. Rested them 5 minutes and they were perfect, just medium rare and very juicy and tender. Thanks for the recipe and the tips
So glad you liked them! Thank you for sharing.
I’m goin to try it tonight My basket is a little small so I might have to cut the steak in half.