Frozen Steak in the Air Fryer

You can make frozen steak in the air fryer without thawing! The steak is so tender and juicy, making it a delicious and fast dinner!

The air fryer cooks the steak perfectly, making a deliciously flavored steak. Because you are making frozen meat straight from the freezer, it's perfect for busy weeknights, or for when you forget to take the steak out to thaw ahead of time! 

Jump to:

• WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE
• INGREDIENTS
• DIRECTIONS
• DEGREES OF STEAK DONENESS
• EXPERT TIPS
• VARIATIONS
• STORING AND REHEATING
• FAQS
• MORE AIR FRYER STEAK RECIPES
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

I love this recipe for cooking air-fried frozen steak because it consistently produces a juicy, tender, and delicious dinner. I never have to worry about the flavor or tenderness! If I'm in a hurry and need a quick meal, I can just grab a steak right from the freezer and put it in the air fryer. 

Once again, the trusty air fryer proves its worth by making a steak that is just as good as if it was thawed first, or cooked using other methods. The convenience of being able to have dinner ready in less then 20 minutes, is just one more reason to use the air fryer to make this steak dinner!

We used to only make steak for special occasions. But because the air fryer makes frozen foods so easy, and in just a few simple steps, I can just grab an individual steak and cook it up when I want fast comfort food. 

If you are looking for more easy air fryer dinners, try our air fryer cube steak, air fryer steak bites,  or air fryer chicken fried steak. 

INGREDIENTS

• frozen steaks-I use frozen ribeye steak or frozen sirloin steak, but can be any cuts of steak
• olive oil- avocado oil, or oil of choice
• black pepper
• kosher salt

Optional: I like to keep it simple and just use salt and pepper. You can substitute for your favorite steak seasoning or steak sauce. 

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
First, lightly brush the steak with olive oil, on both sides and then add salt and pepper, or your preferred seasonings.

STEP 2
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.

STEP 3
Place the frozen steaks in air fryer, and air fry steaks at 380 degrees F, for 15-18 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Time may need to be adjusted depending on thickness and your preferred level of doneness.

STEP 4
Let the steak sit in it's own juices for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serve with your favorite side dishes like air fryer asparagus, air fryer waffle fries, air fryer broccoli, air fryer baked potatoes, or air fryer potato wedges. 

DEGREES OF STEAK DONENESS

• Rare- 125 degrees F
• Medium Rare- 135 degrees F
• Medium- 145 degrees F
• Medium Well- 155 degrees F
• Well Done- 160 degrees F

EXPERT TIPS

I made a 16 ounce ribeye steak that was about one inch thick. Eight minutes on each side cooked it until it was medium with a little pink still inside.  If using a thinner steak, the air frying time will need to be lower. 

Be sure to preheat the air fryer. Placing the steak in a preheated air fryer will help the steak cook evenly.

Once the steak has cooked for 10 minutes, use a meat thermometer check the internal temperature to reach your desired level of doneness. If you overcook the steak it to be dry and tough, so watch the time and temp.

Don't overcrowd the basket or stack multiple steaks in the air fryer. This can block air flow, and prevent proper air circulation, so some parts of the steak may not cook properly. 

To ensure both sides are evenly cooked and get a nice sear taste, turn the steak halfway through cooking time.

Letting the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after air frying helps the juices settle into the meat, which will make it a juicier delicious steak. 

Depending on the thickness and cut of the steak, cook times may need to adjusted by a few minutes of cooking. An instant meat thermometer is always the best way to cook a steak and check for doneness. 

VARIATIONS

There are so many flavor combinations you can use to season a steak for additional flavor! We like to keep our steak simple and classic, so we just season with salt, pepper, and sometimes garlic powder. Topping with fresh parsley optional.  

If you want a spicy or hot flavor, add Cajun seasonings. You can also get a spice blend already mixed, or make your own with a pinch of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper and oregano.

If you need a steak or salad topping, slice your steak and add the slices for a complete meal. It makes a great topping to pasta too!

Top your steak with garlic butter, shredded parmesan cheese, or air fryer mushrooms. 

STORING AND REHEATING

If you have leftover steak, allow the steak to cool to room temperature first, and then transfer it to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When reheating in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Use an instant read thermometer to get the internal temperature to 145°F when reheating. But be careful you don't over cook the meat because that can make it dry and tough.

FAQS

MORE AIR FRYER STEAK RECIPES

Making air fried frozen steak is so easy and fast, with almost no prep time! Be sure to save this post the next time you need to make a steak straight from the freezer for a fast dinner!

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