How long to cook steak in an air fryer at 400 degrees?

Author: Susana Gulgowski DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

How long does it take to cook a steak at 400?

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer steak to the oven and roast for 10-12 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Do you need to flip steak in an air fryer?

Yes! You want to flip the steak about halfway through the cooking time so you get even browning on both sides. The heat element is at the top which is similar to broiling in your oven, which is why you want to flip the steak.

What temperature do you heat steak in an air fryer?

Allow your steak to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes on the counter). Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F. Place the steak into the Air Fryer basket to reheat the steak; check every 2 minutes.

How long does it take an air fryer to reach 400 degrees?

Much like with ovens, smaller air fryers will preheat faster than larger ones. So, while a small air fryer can preheat in two to three minutes, you may want to go for four to give minutes of preheating time in a larger air fryer. Most air fryers preheat to 400° F in three to five minutes.

Air Fryer Steak (Filet, Ribeye, or Sirloin)

Is 400 degrees in air fryer same as oven?

Here's how to take any of your beloved faves and make them work in an air fryer. For most recipes, you will want to lower your air fryer temperature by 25 to 50 degrees. So if the original recipe says to cook at 425° in the oven, expect to set the air fryer to 400° at the highest.

How do I calculate cooking times for an air fryer?

To cook fresh food in an air fryer, Jenny suggests subtracting 20°C from the typical oven temperature and reducing the oven cooking time by 20-25%. For example, if the oven instruction calls for cooking at 180°C for 25 minutes, set your air fryer to 160°C for 20 minutes.

How long to air fry a steak at 400 degrees?

Cook steak in a 400°F preheated air fryer for 11 to 13 minutes total for medium-rare (130 to 135°F).

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Do I put oil on steak before air frying?

Pat steaks dry with a paper towel. Rub with oil and season both sides of steak with crushed peppercorns and salt. Place steaks in air fryer basket so that they are not touching and there is plenty of room for the air to circulate between them.

Are steaks better in the oven or air fryer?

Air fryers are designed to cook quickly and evenly, giving you a perfectly cooked steak in just a few minutes. You also don't need to preheat your oven or wait for your grill to heat up, which speeds things up tremendously.

Do steaks brown in an air fryer?

You can make a succulent steak in the air fryer. The steak will be brown, perfectly seared on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside when cooked in the air fryer thanks to the hot air circulating within.

Is 400 degrees good for steak?

130-135 °F internal temperature.

At 400°, cook for 3:30 minutes per side. A medium-rare steak is the recommended doneness to taste the meat's natural flavor. It's usually how meat connoisseurs and chefs like to eat it.

Can you cook steak in an air fryer?

Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

How long on each side for medium-rare steak?

As a rule of thumb (for a steak 22mm thick) – cook 2 minutes each side for rare, 3-4 mins each side for medium-rare and 4-6 mins each side for medium. For well done, cook for 2-4 minutes each side, then turn the heat down and cook for another 4-6 minutes.

How do you cook a steak in an air fryer without it drying out?

It's important to preheat the air fryer, as well, allowing it to run with nothing inside of it for about five minutes, set to the max heat. Then, it's time to cook. First, spritz some olive oil or cooking spray on each side of the steak to help the outside crisp.

How long to preheat air fryer for steak?

Allow your Air Fryer to preheat for approximately 2–3 minutes. Place your steak in the center of the Air Fryer and begin frying. We recommend using the grill rack option if available. Flip your steak halfway through your cooking time listed in the Cooking Times Chart below.

Should you flip steak in an air fryer?

Do You Need to Flip Steak in an Air Fryer? Because of the air fryer's trademark ability to circulate intensely hot air evenly around food as it cooks, you don't need to flip steak in the air fryer. If you prefer to flip your steaks, that works too! Flip the steak halfway through the required cook time.

How long to cook thin steak at 400?

A hot cast iron skillet is all you need for a tender and juicy thin steak. Season the steak and let it warm up for about 5 minutes on the counter as you heat the pan and add a little high-heat oil. Bring the pan up to at least 400 degrees on the surface, then cook the steak for about 5 minutes in total.

How long to heat air fryer to 400?

Heat at 400 °F (204 °C) for 3 to 5 minutes if there's no preheat button. This will get that hot air moving way before you drop any food in the basket. You can also manually preheat for 3 to 5 minutes using the cooking temperature listed in the recipe you're following.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers?

While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.

Can I put aluminum foil in the air fryer?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly. If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food.

What is 400 degrees in an air fryer?

Adapt your favorite recipes with this easy oven to air fryer conversion chart! So for example, if a recipe calls for a cooking temperature of 400°F in the oven, set your air fryer for 375°F.

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