This easy Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak recipe will have you making all your steaks in the air fryer! Juicy, flavor packed and less greasy (read: healthier!) this is the way to cook steak. All done in under 15 minutes, with just 1 minute of prep!
This juicy air fryer ribeye steak quickly became one of my favorite air fryer recipes. It's a total game changer! I don't think I'll ever go back to pan frying steak.
Why would I, when cooking ribeye steak in air fryer gives me a perfect steak, with much less fuss?
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick and all done in under 15 minutes
- It's easier and less messy than cooking your steak stove top
- It's hands off with a simple cooking process
- A super juicy steak thanks to the resting time
- Less greasy with just a small amount of oil and allowing both fat and excess oil to drip off
- Diet friendly since its naturally gluten free, dairy free and low carb / keto
- Loaded with flavor from a simple rub
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Rib eye steak: Look for a good steak that's bright red, with a big eye (that's the big piece of white fat) and a lot of marbling (that's the flecks of fat spread throughout the meat). I always choose boneless rib eye steaks.
- Frozen steak also works - but then follow this recipe fro Frozen Steak in Air Fryer instead
- Vegetable oil: use a neutral vegetable oil or olive oil
- Garlic salt can be swapped for a mix of salt and garlic powder
How to make it
- Mix the oil and seasoning in a small bowl
- Pat the steak dry and rub with seasoning on all sides
- Place steak in pre heated air fryer basket
- Air fry for 8 minutes (for medium rare) at 390°F (200°C), turning once halfway
- Check temperature of steak and remove from air fryer
- Place on a piece of aluminium foil
- Wrap tightly and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes
- Unwrap and serve your air fryer rib eye steak immediately!
Tips & tricks
- Adjust seasoning to suit your taste - maybe add some olive oil, more black pepper, a dash of soy sauce, skip the Worcestershire sauce or go for just salt and pepper?
- Or use your favorite marinade for steak
- Bring your steak out ahead of time so that it reaches room temperature before cooking, otherwise the cook time might be off
- Don't overcrowd the basket - you can fit at least two rib eye steaks in most air fryer baskets, but make sure there's a bit of space left for the air to circulate
- The thickness of steak will affect cook time - a thicker steak will take longer and a thinner steak will cook quicker
- Cook time can vary with different air fryer models
- Use a meat thermometer to be sure to get the perfect cook for you
- Know your temperature point - see the recipe card below for guidance regarding what internal temperature you should aim for
- Allow your steak to rest to increase juiciness and avoid overcooking
- Store leftover steak in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat steak in your air fryer for best results
Cooking time and internal temperature
The time it takes for your air fryer ribeye steak to cook will vary with the thickness of the steak, your specific air fryer, and with how you like it cooked. For best results I always recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Recommended internal temperatures
I recommend cooking beef to about 5 degrees below the setpoint, and then allowing it to rest covered for at least 5 minutes. The temperature will rise up to 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit (2-3 degrees Celsius) while resting.
Rare: 120-125°F (48-52°C) (rest from 118-120°F / 46-48°C)
Medium rare: 130°F (54°C) (rest from 125°F / 52°C)
Medium: 140°F (60°C) (rest from 135°F / 58°C)
Medium-well: 150°F (65°C) (rest from 145°F / 63°C)
Well done: 155°F (68°C) (rest from 150°F / 66°C)
What do the different temperatures look and feel like
Rare: Red to pink in color, the center is red and cool to slightly warm
Medium rare: Pink all the way through, with a hot pink center
Medium: Even pink color all the way through and a bit firmer to the touch
Medium-well: Brown almost all the way through with a pink center
Well done: Brown all the way through
Recommended cook times
These cook times are for a 1 inch thick steak in a pre heated air fryer. LKeep in mind that the cook time can vary with the size and model of your air fryer as well and use these times as a starting point.
Rare: 6-7 minutes
Medium rare: 8 minutes
Medium: 9 minutes
Medium-well: 10 minutes
Well done: 11-12 minutes
Recipe FAQ
Air fryer rib eye steak is amazing! It comes out juicy and less greasy thanks to some of the excess fat dripping off.
Whether or not to flip the meat in the air fryer is up to you. Since the air circulates you technically shouldn't need to, but I find I get a more even cook if I do. So my recommendation is to flip it halfway.
Rib eye steak is generally very tender, but it will depend on the quality of meat as well as on how you cook it. I find the most tender rib eye is cooked in the air fryer.
Yes, thin ribeye steaks will air fry quicker than thicker steaks. For best results I recommend always using a meat thermometer to get the cook just right.
The best sauces & sides for steak
Not sure what to serve with your air fryer steak? I recommend some kind of potatoes, or roasted veggies for a low carb meal.
Here are some of my favorite sides & sauces to complete any steak dinner!
Great sides for steak
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Extra Cheesy Super Simple Mac and Cheese
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli [Vegan]
- Smashed Potatoes with Garlic & Parmesan
- Sides for duck go great with steak as well
Great sauces for steak
- Dijonnaise
- Acili Ezme
- Whipped Feta Cheese (Tyrosalata)
- Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
- Whipped Butter
- Gluten free BBQ Sauce
- Garlic Butter (with or without the toast!) - you can also add dried or fresh herbs for a delicious garlic herb butter
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak
Print RateIngredients
- 1 (8 oz) rib eye steak 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
To serve
- sea salt flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer by running it with the air fryer basket in at 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt and black pepper.1 teaspoon vegetable oil, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pat the steak dry and rub with the seasoning on all sides.1 (8 oz) rib eye steak
- Place steak in air fryer basket and air fry for 8 minutes (medium rare) at 390°F (200°C) , turning once halfway.The time will vary depending on how thick your steak is, how done you want it to be, and your specific air fryer model.
- Check the temperature with a meat termometer. See the guide below if you are unsure of which temperature to aim for.The temperature will keep rising while the steak is resting.
- Wrap the steak in foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes just before serving.sea salt flakes
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Rib eye steak: Look for a good steak that's bright red, with a big eye (that's the big piece of white fat) and a lot of marbling (that's the flecks of fat spread throughout the meat). I always choose boneless rib eye steaks.
- Vegetable oil: use a neutral vegetable oil or olive oil
- Garlic salt can be swapped for a mix of salt and garlic powder
Tips & tricks
- Adjust seasoning to suit your taste - maybe add some olive oil, more black pepper, a dash of soy sauce, skip the Worcestershire sauce or go for just salt and pepper?
- Or use your favorite marinade for steak
- Bring your steak out ahead of time so that it reaches room temperature before cooking, otherwise the cook time might be off
- Don't overcrowd the basket - you can fit at least two rib eye steaks in most air fryer baskets, but make sure there's a bit of space left for the air to circulate
- The thickness of steak will affect cook time - a thicker steak will take longer and a thinner steak will cook quicker
- Cook time can vary with different air fryer models
- Use a meat thermometer to be sure to get the perfect cook for you
- Know your temperature point - see the recipe card below for guidance regarding what internal temperature you should aim for
- Allow your steak to rest to increase juiciness and avoid overcooking
- Store leftover steak in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
Cooking time & internal temperatures
Cooking time below is for a 1 inch steak, but internal temperature will be the same regardless of the thickness. Rare: 6-7 minutes, to 120-125°F (48-52°C) (rest from 118-120°F / 46-48°C) Medium rare: 8 minutes, to 130°F (54°C) (rest from 125°F / 52°C) Medium: 9 minutes, to 140°F (60°C) (rest from 135°F / 58°C) Medium-well: 10 minutes, to150°F (65°C) (rest from 145°F / 63°C) Well done: 11-12 minutes, to 155°F (68°C) (rest from 150°F / 66°C)Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Jennifer S
Why Worchestershire sauce??
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Jennifer,
I've always used Worcestershire sauce to season my steaks, I find it adds a lot of great flavor. If you don't enjoy it, or don't have it, you can always exclude it.
/Emmeline
Claudia
Received mixed reviews from my family. Mostly that searing in a cast iron skillet would be better after the air fry.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Claudia! If you want that crispy sear on the outside I do recommend cooking them in a cast iron skillet. The air fryer is a great way to not have to deal with cooking it stove top though! /Emmeline
Jean
Was truly amazing!!
Used whipped butter (when serving)
Thanks for a great steak recipe- Jean (Scotland)
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Jean! Thank you for your comment. So happy it turned out well for you! It's definitely one of my favorite ways to cook steak 🙂 /Emmeline