When you’re in the mood for a delicious and juicy T-bone steak, but you either can’t or don’t want to use the grill, use your air fryer. With the right technique and a little bit of finesse, you’ll get some great results. In fact, it just might become your favorite method of cooking steak because it’s so quick and easy!
You can have a steak and French fries dinner in a fraction of the time it would take to cook the meal traditionally. I love how simple yet delicious and filling this meal is.
Please read this post for extra tips to get a flavorful steak. But if you are in a hurry, then click on the jump-to-recipe button beneath the title of this post. That will scoot you right down to the top of the printable recipe card.
T-Bone Steak in an Air Fryer
One of the things that I love about cooking in an air fryer is that the food cooks evenly. Another thing I like is how quickly you can cook something and get it on the table. Those two things make it the perfect appliance for individuals, couples, and families. I use my air fryer all the time—at least once a day and often more.
Cooking T-bone steak in your air fryer is easy and faster than any other method that I know about. I’ve never had a flop yet with this recipe. The first time you try it, you might be a little nervous, but trust the process. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll wind up with delicious steak that everyone will enjoy.
Sometimes I marinate the steak before cooking it. This is an easy process that you can do as little as an hour before you cook it … or even the night before. In fact, the longer you marinate it, the more flavorful and tender it will be. Or you can serve this Red Wine Mushroom Sauce for Steak alongside your T-bone, and everyone at the table will think you’re a cooking genius!
This recipe is perfect for steak lovers who enjoy quick and easy cooking. It’s actually one of my favorite methods of making juicy steak that we enjoy. Serve it with this hash brown casserole, and you’ll have a winner dinner!
Ingredients
These are the ingredients that I use for my easy air fryer steak recipe. It’s one of our favorite recipes because we get the perfect steak every time.
- T-bone steak, approximately 1” thick
- Salt
- Butter or Olive oil (optional)
- Steak seasoning (optional)
This time, the only ingredients I used were the steak (of course) and salt. However, I change things up when I’m in the mood. We enjoy a variety of seasonings, so don’t be afraid to sprinkle your favorite savory flavors on the steak. You can cover the meat or simply test it on a corner.
Other Ingredients to Try
If you’re not sure what will be good on your steak, give one or more of these a try:
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic butter
- Any type of herb butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Lemon juice (or any citrus juice)
How to Cook T-Bone Steak in an Air Fryer
The first thing you need to do is preheat your air fryer to 400˚ F. If you want to spritz some oil on the basket tray, that’s fine. However, it isn’t necessary since the meat should have an adequate amount of fat. Pat the steak dry with paper towels. This prevents the steak from steaming, which isn’t ideal.
Next, season your steak. As I mentioned, I only used salt. However, you can use any steak seasoning blend, such as this meat seasoning that I make.
After the air fryer gets to 400 degrees F, put the steak in the center of the air fryer basket.
If you are cooking more than one T-bone steak, make sure there’s enough space between them, so the air can flow freely around them. And of course, they need to be in a single layer in the basket. Cook the steak for about 10 minutes. Flip it halfway through.
Adjust your cooking time to suit your preference as to how you like your steak.
Please keep in mind that the thickness of the steak determines how long to cook it. Thinner steaks need less cook time, while thicker ones will take longer. I like to use a meat thermometer to gauge the doneness. My preference is rare, while my husband likes medium-rare or even medium.
After the steak reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. It will continue cooking and the temperature may even rise another 5-10 degrees. I like to add a little bit of butter on the steak for even more juicy flavor!
If you look around, you’ll see differences of opinion about the temperature of steak. I based this on my personal experience, so you’ll need to determine what is best for you and those you are cooking for.
Steak Doneness
Here is a basic rule of thumb for the temperature of each desired level of doneness:
- Rare – Internal temperature approximately 130˚ F.
- Medium-rare – Internal temperature about 135-140˚ F.
- Medium – Internal temperature around 145˚ F.
- Medium-well – Internal temperature at 150˚ F.
- Well done – 160˚ F.
*Note: The FDA recommends cooking steak until it reaches 145˚ F.
Tips for Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer
If you enjoy eating steak, I highly recommend cooking your next one in your air fryer. The process is definitely different, but it’s very easy.
Here are some tips to get the best results:
- When shopping for steak, choose one with good marbling throughout. This will ensure that the steak is tender and more flavorful.
- Always preheat your air fryer before you start cooking your steak. This is the best way to get even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- Add your seasonings before you cook the steak to bring out the flavor as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
- You can even add salt an hour before you cook it for an extra tender steak.
- Be sure to leave some space between steaks if you cook more than one. If you’re only cooking one T-bone, place it in the center so the air can circulate evenly around it. In other words, don’t crowd the air fryer basket.
- Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. It’s quick and easy, plus you’ll know for sure without having to guess. I prefer an instant-read thermometer.
- If you’re not sure how long to cook the steak, test it early, before you think it will be done. You can always cook it longer, but you can’t “uncook” it.
- Don’t forget to let the steak rest for at least 3 minutes after you remove it from the air fryer. That gives the juices time to settle.
If you follow all of the directions and tips, you’ll have a wonderful, juicy air fryer T-bone steak that’s cooked to perfection.
Questions You May Have About Air Frying Steak
If you’re new to air frying, or you’ve never cooked steak in your air fryer before, you may have some question. Here are some common questions and answers:
Can I Cook a Frozen Steak?
Yes, you can cook a frozen steak in your air fryer. But keep in mind that it will take longer to cook. I prefer thawing steak before cooking.
Can I Cook Other Types of Steak in My Air Fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can. In addition to T-bones, I cook ribeye steak, chuck eye steak, sirloin steak, New York strip, and more. I even cook hamburger patties in my air fryer.
Can I Marinate the Steak Before I Air Fry It?
Yes. In fact, I’ve air fried many marinated steaks. However, before you put them in the preheated air fryer, pat them dry to prevent the steaks from steaming in the juices.
How Many Steaks Can I Cook in the Air Fryer?
The answer to this question depends on the size of your air fryer. Mine is a 6 quart air fryer with a square basket. I can cook 4 small chuck eye steaks or 2 large T-bones at a time. Just make sure you have space around each of the steaks for the air to circulate.
What Should I Do with Leftover Steak?
Either cover the steak with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. It should be good for at least 3 or 4 days.
Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Air Fryer T-Bone Steak
You can pretty much serve any side dishes you like with T-bone steak. Here are some of our favorite side dishes:
Air Fried Broccoli – After you remove the steak from the air fryer, put some frozen broccoli in the air fryer and roast it. This is a quick process, and you don’t even have to clean the air fryer in between.
Roasted Parmesan Carrots – Roasting brings out the sweetness of carrots, and parmesan adds a ton of flavor! You can either cook these in the oven or in your air fryer.
Balsamic Glazed Zucchini – Balsamic glaze adds a hint of sophistication and delicious flavor to zucchini, making the meal even more special.
Sautéed Spinach and Tomatoes – Add this dish for a nice pop of color and nutrition. It’s easy and absolutely scrumptious!
Cheesy Green Beans – These are super easy to cook on the stovetop, and they add a lot of flavor to the meal.
Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole – If you like loaded baked potatoes, you’ll love this easy dish. Make it for the family or serve it at your next dinner party, then watch how quickly it disappears!
Classic Mac and Cheese Casserole – There’s a reason that macaroni and cheese is considered one of the ultimate comfort foods. It’s delicious and warms us up from the inside out.
Grape Salad with Pineapple – This salad from Julia’s Simply Southern is absolutely delicious!
Southern Style Potato Salad – My mama’s potato salad was always popular at potlucks and family reunions because it was absolutely wonderful!
Broccoli Slaw – After the first time I made this yummy salad for my family, they asked if I could make it again … and again! I gladly obliged.
Enjoy Your Air Fryer T-Bone Steak Dinner
I hope you enjoy every single bite of your steak dinner. Once you make it, I think you’ll consider the air fryer one of your top ways to cook steak in the future.
Air Fryer T-Bone Steak
Next time you cook T-bone steak, do it in your air fryer! It comes out juicy and delicious every time!
Ingredients
- 1 T-bone steak approximately 1” thick
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Pat steak dry with paper towels.
- Season steak with either salt or other seasonings.
- After the air fryer preheats, place the steak or steaks on the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure there’s plenty of room around each steak for the hot air to circulate.
- Cook the steak for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through.
- Using a meat thermometer, make sure the steak is cooked the way you like it. See notes below for doneness chart.
- After the steak is done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and put on a plate. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Here are the temperatures to reach your desired level of doneness:
- Rare - Internal temperature approximately 130˚ F.
- Medium-rare - Internal temperature about 135-140˚ F.
- Medium - Internal temperature around 145˚ F.
- Medium-well - Internal temperature at 150˚ F.
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 285Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 71mgSodium 582mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 21g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.