Air Fryer Sirloin Steak is a quick and easy way to enjoy a juicy, tender steak with a nicely browned outside, no grill or cast iron skillet needed. With just a few simple seasonings and your air fryer, sirloin turns into an easy weeknight dinner, and I’ll show you the simple tips that help it cook evenly and reach your preferred doneness.
Ok this is fantastic. Followed recipe. Turned out perfectly! Wow!
Patty
Learn how to perfectly cook Air Fryer Sirloin Steaks and get it right every single time! I experimented with different recipes and air frying times, and here I’m sharing with you the best way to cook sirloin steaks in the air fryer!
Air frying a steak is easier than grilling a steak or pan-searing a steak. You don’t have to go outside and fire up the grill, and won’t have to get your cast iron pan and fill the kitchen with smoke. Air frying is done quickly, you don’t have to pay too much attention to it, and you certainly won’t make a mess!
Serve these steakhouse quality steaks hot with pieces of divine herb butter on top, and your favorite sides. Go for Twice Baked Potatoes, a Classic Caesar Salad, or Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes. Or serve the steak cold and make a delicious Steak Salad!
Ingredients Needed
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Beef Sirloin steaks: I’m using two sirloin steaks that I cut myself from a large roast into 1-1¼” inch thick steaks. If yours are thinner or thicker, you will have to adjust the cooking time. Look for steaks that are 8-10 ounces each, and of course, more marbling means more flavor. A well-marbled steak will render nicely as it cooks, and will leave you with a tender and juicy steak that’s full of flavor.
- Olive oil: The olive oil adds flavor, helps the seasonings stick, and encourages browning.
- Salt and pepper: Always season your steaks generously with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.
- Italian Seasoning: This is optional, but it adds lots of flavor. You can also use your favorite steak seasoning or rub.
Tip!
Kosher salt is best for seasoning your steak. The larger grains are easier to sprinkle and will dissolve more, which will help draw out the moisture from the meat and create a nice crust.
How To Air Fry Sirloin Steak
- Preheat The Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, simply let it run at 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Season the steaks. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, then season with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, if using.
- Air fry. Place the steaks in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for about 7 minutes for medium rare, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature with a kitchen thermometer and adjust the cooking time as needed for your preferred doneness.
- Rest and serve. Transfer the steaks to a plate, loosely cover with foil, and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Add garlic herb butter on top, if you like.
Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature: Allowing the steak to come to room temperature before cooking does not make a big difference, I explain this in my Pan Seared Steak recipe. However, if you have the time, you can take the steak out of the fridge about 15 minutes prior to cooking so it is not fridge-cold when you cook it.
- Steak Thickness: My sirloin steaks are about 1 to 1¼ inches (2.5 to 3 cm) thick. Thinner steaks will cook more quickly, while thicker steaks may need more time, so use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness.
- Overcrowding: Arrange the steaks in a single layer without overlapping. If your air fryer only fits one steak comfortably, cook them one at a time.
- Other Cuts: This recipe is written for sirloin steak, but you can use the same air fryer method with other cuts such as New York strip or ribeye. Keep in mind that cooking times will vary depending on the cut and thickness.
Air Fryer Sirloin Steak Cooking Chart
Air fryers can cook at different rates, so use these times as a guide and check your steak with an instant-read thermometer. The times below are based on the sirloin steaks used for this recipe, which were about 1 to 1¼ inches (2.5 to 3 cm) thick. Keep in mind that the internal temperature can continue to rise as the steak rests.
| Doneness | Air Fryer Time | Temperature When Removed | After Resting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 6 minutes | 115°F (46°C) | 120°F (49°C) |
| Medium Rare | 7 minutes | 125°F (52°C) | 130°F (54°C) |
| Medium | 8 to 9 minutes | 130°F (54°C) | 135°F (57°C) |
| Medium Well | 11 minutes | 135°F (57°C) | 140°F (60°C) |
| Well Done | 12 to 14 minutes | 145°F (63°C) | 150°F (66°C) |
Food safety note: The USDA recommends cooking whole beef steaks to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured with a food thermometer, followed by a rest of at least 3 minutes.
The steaks pictured here were removed from the air fryer at 125°F (52°C) and reached 130°F (54°C) after resting.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover sirloin steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, see my guide to the Best Way to Reheat Steak for tips on warming it without drying it out. If your steak is already sliced, it’s also delicious cold in a Steak Salad.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Frequently Asked Questions
Beef is labeled with USDA grades from prime to select, depending on how much marble there is. Prime beef has a lot of marbling, choice beef has a moderate amount of marbling and select beef is the leanest variety.
Yes. Top sirloin works very well in the air fryer and is a great choice for this recipe. For the most predictable cooking time, choose steaks that are similar in size and thickness.
Yes. Flip the steak halfway through cooking so that it cooks and browns more evenly on both sides.
You certainly can! I can’t guarantee that the steak will cook as evenly as if you were cooking a fresh/thawed one, but it will cook fine. Adjust the cooking time to 12-18 minutes for 1″ thick steak depending on the desired doneness.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1-2 sirloin beef steaks 1 to 1½ inches thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. If you don’t have a preheat button, you simply run the air fryer for 5 minutes at the desired temperature.
- Make sure that you take the steaks out of the fridge about half an hour before you cook them. Pat them dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning if using.
- When the air fryer is preheated, put the steaks in the basket and air fry for about 7 minutes (see chart below for more times and temps), flipping halfway through cook time for medium rare doneness.
- Once the steaks are cooked to your perfect doneness, transfer them to a plate and loosely cover them with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with a pat of garlic herb butter for the most delicious air fryer steak!
Notes:
Storing
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Steak can be gently reheated in the Air Fryer at a low temp (300°F/150°C), for just a few minutes so you don’t risk overcooking it. It can also be served cold on a steak salad or in a wrap.Steak Doneness Chart
Keep in mind that all air fryers are different, and may cook at different rates. So you have to keep an eye on your steak, and keep checking with a kitchen thermometer to reach your preferred doneness. The times below are indicative.- For rare, remove at 6 minutes. The temperature will be 115°F and will rise to 120°F after resting.
- For medium rare, remove at 7 minutes. The temperature will be 125°F and will rise to 130°F after resting.
- For medium, remove at 8-9 minutes. The temperature will be 130°F and will rise to 135°F after resting.
- For medium well, remove at 11 minutes. The temperature will be 135°F and will rise to 140°F after resting.
- For well done, remove at 12-14 minutes. The temperature will be 145°F and will rise to 150°F after resting.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Lee says
How should I adjust cooking time to convert to a 900 watt COSORI 2.1 Qt. Air Fryer?
Diana says
Hi Lee! Since your Cosori is 900 watts, it cooks a little slower than the standard 1500-watt models. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and check for doneness toward the end until you find what works best for your machine.
Patty says
Ok this is fantastic. Followed recipe. Turned out perfectly! Wow!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for stopping back to let me know.
Lanette E Wedell says
Thank you for an excellent sirloin steak recipe! I also made the Italian seasoning recipe for this and future meals. My husband said the meat was tender, and I agreed. I’m glad I decided to try your recipe! It was surprising how well it turned out from the AirFryer. Wonderful!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
Yay! Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Lanette. Enjoy!
Sue B says
The rib eye steak was delicious! I followed the directions to the letter and it turned out great!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I’m so happy to hear that! Rib eye steaks are my favorite. Thank you so much for your feedback and the review!