Tender Air Fryer Steak With Garlic Herb Butter

Tender air fryer steak with garlic herb butter makes a satisfying dinner without heating a skillet. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C), then cook two 1-inch boneless steaks for approximately 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the center with a meat thermometer rather than relying on the clock: steak should reach 145°F (63°C) and rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. Add the butter after cooking so the garlic stays flavorful instead of scorching.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless ribeye steaks, about 8 ounces each and 1 inch thick
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

How To Make It

1. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Rub both sides with olive oil, then season evenly with salt and pepper. Dry surfaces brown better, so don’t skip the quick pat-down.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for about 3–5 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the softened butter, garlic, and parsley together in a small bowl. Set it aside away from the raw steak and its utensils.
3. Place the steaks in the basket in a single layer with space between them. Air fry for 10–14 minutes, flipping once about halfway through. Start checking the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer near the 10-minute mark; continue cooking as needed until each steak reaches 145°F (63°C).
4. Transfer the steaks to a clean plate. Divide the garlic herb butter between them and let them rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing. Spoon any melted butter from the plate over the slices.

Tips

Choose steaks of similar thickness so they finish at roughly the same time. If yours are thinner or thicker than 1 inch, begin checking early or allow extra time; air fryer models also vary. Don’t crowd the basket: cook in batches if the steaks touch or overlap. For a clean thermometer reading, insert the probe into the thickest part, away from large pockets of fat.

Keep the garlic in the finishing butter rather than rubbing it onto the steak before air frying, where small pieces can burn. A little parsley adds freshness, but finely chopped chives work well too. Serve with potatoes or a simple green salad for an easy steak dinner.