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Satisfying Air Fryer Steak Garlic Butter

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Pop your favorite steak in the air fryer for melt-in-your-mouth results, no fuss. Rub down ribeye or sirloin with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika all over. Preheat your air fryer just for a few minutes. Throw in some fresh herbs and start cooking—remember to flip it so both sides get that nice crust. Let it sit out for a handful of minutes when it's done. Drop a slab of garlic butter on top and chow down. This simple method is perfect when you don't want to bother with the grill but still want steak with tons of flavor and perfect texture. Stick a meat thermometer in to nail your favorite doneness, and tweak cook times if you're working with a really thick or thin cut.

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A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Authored By Elisa
Updated on Wed, 28 May 2025 13:28:10 GMT
Steak with melting butter sitting on top. Bookmark
Steak with melting butter sitting on top. | recipesbyelisa.com

Juicy steak with garlic butter gets that steakhouse vibe straight from your air fryer. You’ll get an awesome crust and tender inside without any grill or stove hassles. Whenever I’m pressed for time but want to serve something special, this is my favorite “wow” dinner that really comes through fast.

When I first tried this way, my husband was sure I’d ordered takeout. It’s now our favorite easy way to enjoy steak at home without any hassle.

Essential Ingredients

  • Fresh rosemary or thyme: pick firm sprigs for a punch of aroma, classic for steak
  • Black pepper: brings gentle heat, it’s best cracked nice and fresh
  • Salt: coarse kosher or flaky sea salt for the perfect texture and flavor boost
  • Smoked paprika: adds a little smokiness to take you back to grilled flavor
  • Onion powder: gives round, lightly sweet notes
  • Garlic powder: hearty garlic flavor without the risk of it burning
  • Olive oil: makes your spices and herbs stick and helps everything go golden
  • Ribeye or sirloin steaks: juicy steaks with good marbling; go for at least an inch thick for best tenderness

Simple Steps

Rest the Steak
After cooking, set the steaks aside for at least five minutes before slicing in. The juices hang around so every bite is juicy and tender.
Cook the Steak
Pop the steaks in your air fryer for eight to ten minutes, flipping at the halfway point. Check for your preferred pinkness. I go for medium-rare with a springy touch and golden crust.
Arrange and Add Herbs
Place the steaks flat in the basket so they don’t overlap. Top with your herbs for loads of fragrance as they cook.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Fire up the air fryer to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit or two hundred Celsius and preheat for five minutes. Starting with a hot basket is the secret to a banging crust.
Season the Steaks
Cover both sides with olive oil, then sprinkle on all the spices, salt, and pepper. Work those seasonings right into the meat for max flavor.
Pat the Steaks Dry
Grab some paper towel and dry both sides of the steak well. No moisture means you’ll get a beautiful sear instead of steam.
A container of meat and cheese. Bookmark
A container of meat and cheese. | recipesbyelisa.com

It still surprises me how smoked paprika tricks your tastebuds into thinking you grilled it outside. My daughter was convinced I fired up the BBQ—even though it poured rain that day!

Leftovers & Storage

Put whatever steak’s left in a lidded container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to three days. Toss cold slices in salads or throw them into a sandwich for a super easy meal. I sometimes cook extra on purpose just so I’m set for lunch.

Swaps You Can Make

Can’t find ribeye or sirloin Go with strip or filet and you’ll still get awesome results. Out of fresh herbs Grab some dried Italian mix instead. No smoked paprika No big deal—sweet paprika or chili powder give that little extra flavor.

A piece of meat with butter on top. Bookmark
A piece of meat with butter on top. | recipesbyelisa.com

Ways to Serve

Slice up the steak and put a scoop of garlicky butter on top for that classic luxe finish. I like it next to roasted veggies, some crusty bread, or an old-school baked potato. For a fresh hit, sprinkle chopped parsley or chives at the end.

Culture Connection

Making steak in an air fryer flips the classic American steakhouse style into the modern day. Families used to fire up the grill outdoors for steak night, but now we can keep the tradition going in our own kitchens—no grill, no smokescreen. I love seeing how old favorites get a modern shake-up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ Which steak cuts turn out best in an air fryer?

Both sirloin and ribeye work great since they’re marbled and moist. Go for pieces about an inch thick for the best bite from the air fryer.

→ Do I really need to let steak rest after using the air fryer?

Give your steak five minutes or more after pulling it out so the juices have time to settle. That way, every bite is tasty and not dry.

→ Can I toss bone-in steaks in the air fryer too?

Absolutely, bone-in steaks are fine. Just keep an eye out since thicker cuts might need another minute or so to cook all the way through to how you like it.

→ What's good to put on steak to make it taste awesome?

Season your steak with smoky paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, or throw in some fresh rosemary or thyme. These make the flavors pop and smell amazing.

→ Do I have to flip steak while it’s cooking in the air fryer?

Yeah, flipping it gets both sides nice and brown and makes sure the whole steak is juicy and cooked evenly.

Steak Air Fryer Butter

Fire up your air fryer to make super juicy steak with crispy edges, all topped off with heaps of garlic butter. It's ready before you know it.

Prep Time
5 minutes
Cooking Time
10 minutes
Total Time Required
15 minutes
Authored By: Elisa

Type of Recipe: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine Type: American

Servings Count: 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb Friendly, Gluten-Free Choice, Dairy-Free Alternative

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Steak Prep

Ingredient 01 Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs if you want
Ingredient 02 2.5 g ground black pepper
Ingredient 03 5 g salt
Ingredient 04 5 g smoked paprika
Ingredient 05 5 g onion powder
Ingredient 06 5 g garlic powder
Ingredient 07 15 ml olive oil
Ingredient 08 2 ribeye or sirloin steaks

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Let the steaks chill for about 5 minutes before you slice them up and dig in. This helps the juices hang around.

Step 02

Toss the steaks into the air fryer. Try rosemary or thyme if you like. Fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flip them once halfway through. Adjust for how you want them done.

Step 03

Turn the air fryer on to 200°C and let it warm up for 5 minutes.

Step 04

Sprinkle salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder over both sides so everything's got flavor.

Step 05

Dry off the steaks with a paper towel, then rub them with olive oil on each side.

Extra Tips and Tricks

  1. Give the steak a short break before cutting so it's extra juicy.
  2. Depending on thickness and how well done you want it, timing might need a tweak.
  3. For more flavor, try it with chimichurri or a hunk of garlic butter.
  4. Have a bone in your steak? It'll likely need more time in the air fryer.
  5. Pop in a meat thermometer: aim for 54°C for pink in the middle, 60°C for a bit more done.

Must-Have Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Meat thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Air fryer

Nutritional Information (per portion)

The provided details are purely informational and should not replace professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 312
  • Fat Amount: 23 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 1 grams
  • Protein Amount: 25 grams