How do you cook frozen steak in the air fry?

Wondering if you can cook frozen steak in air fryer without thawing first? Yes, you can and this air fryer frozen steak recipe will show you how to in simple, quick, and easy steps. The steaks are tender, juicy, packed full of flavor, and ready from frozen to the table in less than 30 minutes.

Serve with side dishes like chips/French fries, pasta, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, salad, rice, broccoli, and many more.

Frozen Steak In Air Fryer (Air Fryer Frozen Steak Recipe)

Make restaurant-quality frozen steak in air fryer right in your kitchen with less than 6 ingredients without taking a trip to the grocery store.

Whether you are using ribeye, sirloin, round steak, T-steak, or flank steak, this air fryer steak recipe will show you how to cook it perfectly to get juicy, and tender steaks.

Are you on a protein diet? Steak is high in protein, low carb, and healthy when eaten in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

The air fryer makes frozen steak cook evenly and without first defrosting the steak, the moisture and juice are locked in.

You can choose to use any type of steak and cook it to be well done, medium well, medium, medium-rare, or rare depending on your most preferred choice. I love the well done cook level.  

This recipe is so simple that it can be seasoned directly in the air fryer basket as shown in this post so fewer utensils to clean up after cooking.   

Depending on the size of your air fryer and cut of the steak, you may be able to cook 2 steaks at the same time as I do.

Air fryer steak from frozen is easy, quick, and simple. Let me show you how to make it.

Related: Air fryer steak bites, Air fryer steak recipe.

Ingredients  

Frozen steak- Ribeye, sirloin, or any of choice. 

Salt  

Black pepper  

Parsley

Ginger powder

Olive oil  

How To Cook Frozen Steak in Air Fryer

Here’s how to air fry frozen steak:

Remove frozen steaks from their package and load them into the air fryer basket.

Brush the top of the steaks with olive oil then season with half the seasoning mix. Be sure to cover the edges and spread out evenly to avoid salt concentration in some parts of the frozen steak.

Flip the steaks, brush with olive oil, and season with the remaining seasoning mix.

Turn on the air fryer and set it to a temperature of 200C/400F. Air fry steaks for 8-10 minutes and turn them to the other side using a tong. Air fry at the same temperature for another 8-10 minutes.

(This temperature is set for a well-done steak cook level. See the cooking time guide below for other doneness levels.) 

If using garlic herb butter, now is the time to add it to the steaks.  

Bring out the steak and let them sit for another 3-5 minutes before it is cut into - This locks in the juices and gives it time to redistribute the juices.

Cut and serve.

Note: Cutting the steak immediately after cooking will let the juice out and you will not achieve the desired result of a juicy, well moistured delicious steak.  

How Long To Cook Frozen Steak in Air Fryer

While I love my steak well done, you can achieve your desired cooking level using this same recipe, and temperature with a little tweak to the cooking time. Below, I have included the time set for the different steak cooking levels. Be sure to turn steak halfway into cooking to ensure even cooking:

How long to cook frozen steak in air fryer is between 12-20 minutes. Aside from the doneness level required, the size, and thickness of the steak, are other factors to consider when determining how long to cook steak in the air fryer.

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Did you know you can make steak in the air fryer? It’s tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly.

This recipe is for a delicious ribeye steak. Since this cut of steak already has a lot of flavor, not much more seasoning is needed to get the best flavor.

In this post, I will show you how to cook air fryer ribeye steak, how to properly season and cook ribeye steak, and how to make frozen steak in the air fryer.

These directions are for a steak with a 1-inch thickness. If your steak is thinner, it will need less cooking time. If your steak is thicker, it will need a little more cooking time.

I made this recipe using the 5.8 QT Cosori Air Fryer. Its square basket makes it the perfect size for our family of 4.

How to Make Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

STEP ONE: Remove your ribeye steak from the fridge and season it with the Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Let it sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the steak to come to room temperature (if you’re using frozen steak, see how to make air fryer frozen steak below).

STEP TWO: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.

STEP THREE: Cook the steak for 10-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through until cooked to 130 -135 degrees at its thickest point.

I love using my Kizen Instant Read Thermometer when I make steaks in the air fryer. It has a quick-read time of just 3 seconds so I can check on my steaks while keeping the heat inside my air fryer!

STEP FOUR: Remove the ribeye steak from the air fryer and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes, cut, and enjoy!

*These cooking directions are for a medium-rare steak. Medium, medium-well, and well-done steaks will need a longer cooking time.

Looking for ways to use up steak leftovers? Try out these 25 leftover steak recipes! There’s everything from fajitas to soup, sandwiches, and so much more!

Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:

• Air Fryer Keto Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Tuna Steaks
• 6 Mistakes People Keep Making with Their Air Fryers
• Pork Steak in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Sirloin Steak

Tips for Making Air Fryer Ribeye Steak Tender and Juicy

• Salt/season your steak at least 20 minutes before cooking. This allows for the moisture to come out of the steak, be absorbed by the salt, then reabsorbed by the steak to bring out its maximum flavor.
  
  Salting steaks also helps break down lean muscle proteins in the steak, which makes it more tender and juicy!
  
  You can read more about how salting steak works here.

• Ribeye steak is best when cooked until rare to medium. Anything above medium can cause the steak to become tough and dry.

• Pull your ribeye steak out of the air fryer as soon as it hits the internal temperature you need. It can take just a minute or two to cook steak from rare to medium-rare, so keep an eye on your steaks for maximum juiciness.
  
  Using an Instant-Read Thermometer that can pull the temperature of your steak quickly will help you achieve a more tender steak. I love using my Kizen Instant-Read Thermometer.

• Let your steak rest after cooking! If you cut a steak that’s just taken out of the air fryer (or another cooking device), it may look super juicy, but it’s really losing all of the juices inside the steak.
  
  Letting the ribeye steak rest allows time for the juices to fully absorb and redistribute into the steak making it more tender when eaten.
  
  I like to finish cooking the steak then get everything else prepared and at the table before cutting the steak to give it ample time to rest.

What is the Best Way to Season a Ribeye Steak?

Ribeye steak is already full of flavor without any seasoning. Simple seasonings such as the Montreal Steak Seasoning is very simple to enhance the flavor of the steak.

You can also choose to flavor the steak with just salt and pepper if preferred.

Should I Marinate my Ribeye Steak?

No, marinating a ribeye steak is not necessary and can sometimes even pull the flavors from the steak out of the steak.

Since ribeye is already flavorful, just season it with a simple dry rub seasoning, like mentioned above.

Do I Need to Use Oil When Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer?

Most meats do not need oil when cooking in an air fryer. You can typically use a dry rub without any added oil and still get tender and juicy results.

This guide to using oil in an air fryer is a great resource when learning when you should or shouldn’t use oil in your air fryer.

How to Cook Frozen Steak in the Air Fryer

We’ve all done it. You’re about to make dinner and you realize your steak is still sitting in the freezer.

But it’s okay. You can still make frozen steak in the air fryer without defrosting it!

Just follow these simple directions to make air fryer frozen steak.

1. Place the steak in a cold air fryer and set it to 400 degrees.
2. Cook the steak for 5 minutes then quickly season steak with Montreal Steak Seasoning on both sides.
3. Cook the frozen steak in the air fryer for an additional 15-19 minutes (20-24 minutes total), flipping halfway through. The steak is done once it hits 130-135 degrees at its thickest point (for medium-rare*).
4. Remove the steak from the air fryer, let sit for at least 5 minutes prior to slicing, then enjoy!

*Air fry the ribeye steak for 25-29 min to get a medium well done steak.

Learn how to make other frozen foods in the air fryer along with other frozen meats here!

How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer

I’m obsessed with reheating foods in the air fryer. I reheat everything from leftover pizza to air fryer salmon.

It’s a lesser-known use, but reheating steak in the air fryer gives amazing results!

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
2. Carefully place the leftover steak in the air fryer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until warmed thoroughly.
3. Enjoy!

See more information on reheating steak in the air fryer here.

Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:

• Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
• Air Fryer Flank Steak
• Air Fryer Steak — T-Bone
• Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Air Fryer Ham Steaks
• Air Fryer Carne Asada
• Frozen Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
• Air Fryer Cod

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Continue to Content

Yield: 2 servings

Air Fryer Ribeye Steak (Frozen + Fresh)

Print

How to cook a tender and juicy ribeye steak in the air fryer. Includes directions on how to cook frozen steak too!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounce ribeye steak, about 1-inch thick
• 1 tablespoon McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning

Instructions

1. Remove the ribeye steak from the fridge and season with the Montreal Steak seasoning. Let steak rest for about 20 minutes to come to room temperature (to get a more tender juicy steak).
2. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
3. Place the ribeye steak in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, until it reaches 130-135 degrees for medium rare. Cook for an additional 5 minutes for medium-well.
4. Remove the steak from the air fryer and let rest at least 5 minutes before cutting to keep the juices inside the steak then enjoy!

Notes

How to Cook Frozen Steak in the Air Fryer:

1. Place frozen steak in a cold air fryer and set it to 400 degrees.

2. Cook the steak for 5 minutes, then quickly season it with the Montreal Steak Seasoning on both sides then cook for an additional 15 to 19 minutes (20 to 24 minutes total) until it hits 130-135 degrees at its thickest point.

3. Remove the steak from the air fryer and let rest for at least 5 minutes prior to cooking then enjoy!

How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.

2. Cook steak in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes until heated thoroughly, let sit fot 5 minutes, then enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 317Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 789mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 29g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

Do I need to thaw steak before cooking in air fryer?

Air fry the steak straight from frozen. You do not need to let the steak thaw at all! I used frozen ribeye steaks that were approximately ⅔ lb each and about 1 inch thick. Depending on the size of your steak, you may need more or less time in the air fryer.

How do you cook a frozen ribeye steak in an air fryer?

Medium Rare: 400℉/200℃ for about 10 minutes each side and let sit for 5-10 minutes in warm air fryer. Medium: 400℉/200℃ for about 12 minutes each side and let sit for 5-10 minutes in warm air fryer. Medium to Well: 400℉/200℃ for 12-14 minutes each side and let sit for 5-10 minutes in warm air fryer.

How do you cook frozen meat in an air fryer?

Preheat your air fryer to 360° F (182°C).

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking..

Place the burger patties in a single layer into the air fryer basket..

Cook the patties for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through..

What is the best way to cook a frozen steak?

How to Sear a Frozen Steak.

Pour vegetable oil into 12-inch skillet until it measures 1/8 inch deep. Heat oil until shimmering..

Carefully add frozen steaks to skillet. ... .

Transfer skillet to 275-degree oven and cook until steaks register 125 degrees for medium-rare, 18 to 22 minutes..