Tender and juicy air fryer ribeye steak is the perfect dinner when you crave a steakhouse meal! Learn how to cook ribeye steak with no cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan! Flavorful and delicious ribeye topped with garlic herb butter is a surprisingly quick and easy dinner in about 15 minutes!
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Air fryer ribeye steak is the quickest way to get a delicious steak in a fraction of the time of grilling or oven baking. It could be the best cooking method for a perfectly cooked steak!
The air fryer provides a perfect sear on the outside of the steak while maintaining a juicy and tender inside. You'll be shocked at how delicious air-fried ribeye can be!
If you like steak recipes and other healthy beef recipes, try our crock pot roast or our hearty beef stew recipe.
Why You Should Make This Juicy Ribeye Steak
These are the top 6 reasons you should make delicious ribeye steak recipe:
- Air fryer ribeye steak is easy to air fry or pop in the Ninja Foodi - no cast iron skillet or special equipment needed!
- Best flavorful steak recipe that is quick to make - no marinating needed!
- Cooking steak in the air fryer gives you the perfect steak sear on the outside and juicy inside.
- Convenient to eat with a veggie side dish like sweet potatoes or cut into steak bites for a salad, steak quesadilla, or tacos.
- One bowl for easy cleanup - no grill and no oven to clean.
- An indoor steak recipe perfect for months when you use an outdoor grill.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
For this air fryer ribeye steak, we used the Aldi thin boneless ribeye, about ½ inch to ¾ inches thick. This air-fried ribeye was also tested using 1-inch thick steaks from the butcher at Whole Foods.
For time and grocery savings, we recommend the Aldi ribeyes. They cook in half the time of the 1-inch thick ribeyes and are still deliciously juicy and tender.
Fresh herbs, garlic, and unsalted butter create a compound butter topping similar to steaks served at a steakhouse. You can use extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil (a high smoke point oil), however, butter gives it that steakhouse flavor.
Simple seasonings like coarse sea salt and black pepper give the steak the best flavor. You could always use additional seasoning like garlic powder or onion powder, but you don't need it!
How to Cook Ribeye Steak in the Air Fryer
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1 - Allow the Steak to Come to Room Temperature
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 2 - Preheat the Air Fryer
During the last 5 minutes of the steaks coming to room temperature, preheat the air fryer to 390F for 5 minutes. This will help to sear the steaks.
Step 3 - Seasoning
Pat the meat with paper towels on both sides to dry it. Generously season the steak on both sides with salt, pepper, and steak seasoning.
I generally start with a teaspoon of kosher salt and go from there.
Step 4 - How Long Does it Take to Cook Ribeyes in the Air Fryer?
How long to cook ribeye steak in the air fryer depends on the steak doneness you are trying to achieve. Also, the steak thickness and the air fryer model you are using will impact cook time.
Below is a guide for cooking thin ribeyes with notes on thicker cuts and steak doneness recommendations regarding internal temp and doneness.
Also, note that cooking times will vary depending on the specific size and model of the air fryer used. We used the Ultrean air fryer to make this recipe.
How to Air Fry Ribeye Steak
Place steak onto air fryer basket and air fry ribeye at 390F for 4 minutes for medium-rare. Check the internal temperature of the steak using an instant-read meat thermometer.
Depending on your desired doneness of the steak, either move to a plate to rest or flip the steak and continue air frying for up to 5 additional minutes.
It generally takes between 9 and 12 minutes total to cook the steaks.
How to Air Fry 1-inch or 2-inch Ribeyes
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak.
For thicker steaks, 1-inch or 2-inch ribeyes, increase the time to 8 minutes per side or more depending on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak.
Thinner steaks will take less time.
What is the Internal Temp for Steak?
According to Omaha Steaks, these are the temperatures for levels of steak doneness:
- Rare: 120F
- Medium Rare: 130F
- Medium: 140F
- Medium Well: 150F
- Well: 160F
The best way to tell if a steak is done is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to temp your steak. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak to get an accurate reading.
Step 5 - Make the Herb Compound Butter
While the steak is cooking, combine the softened butter, herbs, and garlic in a small bowl. Once the steak is done cooking and resting, top each steak evenly with the garlic butter.
After the steak is done cooking, allow the meat to rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes for a delicious, juicy steak.
What Should I Do With Leftover Steak?
Air fryer ribeye steak is best served hot the day you prepare it. If you choose to reheat steak, Allrecipes recommends doing it in a pan.
Instead of reheating the steak, try one of our favorite leftover steak recipes like this easy carne asada quesadilla.
If you do decide to store leftover steak, use an airtight container to store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips
- IMPORTANT! Cooking times will vary depending on the specific size and model of air fryer you are using, as well as the thickness of the steak. It's always best to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for further guidance and to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the steak is cooked to your personal preference of doneness.
- Err on the low end of the cooking times. You can always add more time, but you cannot un-cook an overcooked steak.
- Take your ribeye from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps to ensure even cooking.
- Allow room between steaks in the air fryer basket to ensure proper hot air circulation and even cooking.
- My preferred doneness for the perfect ribeye steak is a perfect medium rare steak with an internal temperature of 130 F.
- Allow steak to rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. You can tent it with aluminum foil to help the steak to be juicy.
- Don't skip the herb butter as a topping. It will help to give the steak the steakhouse flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. I like to flip the steak halfway in between cooking.
The thickness of the ribeye will determine how long to cook it. This air fryer ribeye steak recipe is thin ribeye, around ½-inch or ¾ inches thick which we cooked for 4 minutes.
To air-fry ribeyes that are 1 inch thick, start with 4 minutes per side, keeping in mind to what level of doneness you want to cook it. See the recipe card or notes above for more information.
This air fryer ribeye steak recipe is cooked at 390F.
I recommend thawing the steak before cooking it. Cooking a frozen steak directly can result in uneven cooking and an unfavorable texture.
Ribeye is known as one of the most flavorful cuts of steak and many people prefer it to New York strip or sirloin steak. Ribeye steak is highly preferred for its flavor while filet mignon is more preferred for texture.
Great Side Dishes for Air Fryer Ribeye
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How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
Equipment
- instant read thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 10 oz. thin boneless ribeye steaks about ½ inch to ¾ inches thick
- 4 teaspoon butter softened
- 2 teaspoon fresh herbs parsley, tarragon, rosemary, or cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- steak seasoning to taste
Instructions
- 30 minutes before cooking, remove steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature.4 10 oz. thin boneless ribeye steaks
- During the last 5 minutes of allowing the steaks to come to room temperature, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390F.
- Season steaks with salt, pepper, and steak seasoning.salt and pepper, steak seasoning
- Place steak onto air fryer basket and air fry ribeye at 390F for 4 minutes for medium-rare. Temp steak using an instant-read meat thermometer.Depending on your desired doneness of the steak, either move to a plate to rest or flip the steak and continue air frying for up to 4 additional minutes.For thicker cuts, 1-inch or 2-inch ribeyes, increase the time to 8 minutes per side or more depending on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steak.
- While the steak is cooking, combine the butter, fresh herbs, and garlic in a small bowl. Once the steak is done and resting, top each one with 1 teaspoon of the compound butter.4 teaspoon butter, 2 teaspoon fresh herbs, 2 cloves garlic
- Allow steaks to rest for 5 minutes before serving whole or slice the ribeye against the grain into thick, juicy slices.
Notes
-
- IMPORTANT! Cooking times will vary depending on the specific size and model of air fryer you are using, as well as the thickness of the steak. It's always best to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for further guidance and to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
-
- Err on the low end of the cooking times. You can always add more time, but you cannot un-cook an overcooked steak.
-
- Take your ribeye out of the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking. This helps to ensure even cooking.
-
- Allow room between steaks in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
-
- Allow steak to rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. This will help the steak to be juicy.
-
- Don't skip the herb butter as a topping. It will help to give the steak the steakhouse flavor.
-
- Steak is best served hot the day you prepare it. If you choose to reheat steak, Allrecipes recommends doing it in a pan.
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