Consider this your sign to make my air fryer ribeye recipe! It’s so quick, and the results are perfectly seasoned, juicy steaks EVERY time!
Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to cook ribeye in the air fryer
- Arman’s recipe tips
- Frequently asked questions
- Air Fryer Ribeye (Recipe Card)
- More foolproof steak recipes
When I first shared my air fryer steak recipe, you guys didn’t believe that it could be done. Well, not to say I told you so, but…
This time, I’m making my favorite cut of steak in the air fryer: rib-eyes! My family loves it when I make ribeye because it’s such a rich and flavorful cut. When done right, the fat melts into the meat, giving it a buttery, soft, and tender texture.
Why I love this recipe
- Ready in 12 minutes. This is by far the fastest way to cook this cut of steak.
- The same results every time. There’s no guessing when it comes to the air fryer. That’s why it’s honestly the most reliable kitchen tool I own!
- Perfect for two. If I’m making steaks for the whole family, I’ll cook them on the stovetop. If it’s just for two, it’s the air fryer all the way.
- Simple ingredients, maximum flavor. The trick to ribeye is simplicity. You don’t need to add marinades or fancy seasonings for extra flavor (though it certainly doesn’t hurt!).
Key Ingredients
- Boneless ribeye steaks. Look for two even-sized steaks that are about 1½ inches in thickness and well-marbled. The more marbling (fat) in the steaks, the more tender they’ll become. Don’t worry if they’re thicker or thinner–just adjust the cooking time.
- Salt and black pepper. To season.
- Butter. Preferably softened, unsalted butter. Alternatively, use olive oil.
How to cook ribeye in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the air fryer and pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
Step 2- Season. Rub all sides of the steaks with butter and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3- Air fry. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes (for medium-rare), flipping halfway through or until the preferred level of doneness.
Step 4- Rest the meat for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Ribeye cooking times
I think ribeye tastes best when medium-rare as it makes for a juicy steak with a pink center. That said, you can cook it to your preferred doneness.
Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature:
- Rare. 120F
- Medium-rare. 130-135F
- Medium- 135-140F
- Medium-well. 140-145F
- Well-done. 145-150F
After the first 12 minutes, continue air frying and checking the temperature every 1 ½ minutes. When it’s 5 degrees from your preferred doneness, remove the steaks from the air fryer.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Sear the steaks first. While optional, you can lightly pan-sear the steaks on the stovetop to give them a slight crust on the exterior.
- Don’t skip preheating! I rarely see an air fryer recipe that calls for preheating the basket first, but I swear it makes all the difference.
- Let the steaks come to room temperature. That way, they’ll cook quicker and more evenly.
- Rest the steaks. Gently remove them from the air fryer basket and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute in the meat so it stays juicy.
Variations
- Make a compound butter. Compound butter is just a fancy word for butter mixed with other ingredients. To make herb butter, whisk melted butter with rosemary or fresh thyme. For garlic butter, whisk melted butter with freshly minced garlic.
- Add seasonings. Add a pinch of garlic powder, or use your favorite steak seasoning to elevate the flavor.
- Marinate in steak sauce. Make my 3-ingredient steak marinade and marinate the steaks for 2 hours before air frying.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook a ribeye steak in the air fryer?
The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the steaks’ thickness. Generally, 12 minutes at 350F should be enough time for 1 ½ inch steaks should be enough, but you should always double-check with a meat thermometer.
What side dishes should I serve with this?
Ribeye is a very rich, versatile cut of steak. For equally rich sides, try smoked mac and cheese, air fryer baby potatoes, or microwave sweet potatoes. For lighter sides, try a wedge salad or air fryer asparagus.
What setting is best for ribeye in the air fryer?
I prefer 350F as it cooks the steak slowly so the fat has more time to melt into the meat, but anywhere from 350-400F should be appropriate.
Do I need to flip ribeye in an air fryer?
Yes, I suggest flipping steaks in the air fryer so both sides get equal heat access.
Air Fryer Ribeye
5 from 3 votes
My family adores this easy air fryer ribeye recipe. It cooks in just 12 minutes and yields juicy and tender steak every time.
Servings:
Cook:12minutes mins
Total:12minutes mins
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- ▢2 ribeye steaks
- ▢1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢1/2 teaspoon pepper
- ▢1 tablespoon butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- Pat dry the ribeye with a paper towel.
- Season with salt and pepper, then rub the softened butter over both sides.
- Place the ribeye steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will yield a medium-rare steak (135F). For more doneness, cook until the steak reaches an internal temperature of 145F (medium), 155F (medium-well done), or 165F (well done).
- Let the steak rest for two minutes before serving.
Notes
TO STORE: Keep the leftover steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
TO FREEZE: Let the air-fried ribeye cool completely, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 6 months.
TO REHEAT: Air fry at 300F until warm or until the internal temperature reaches 130F.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 23gFat: 19gSodium: 372mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 106IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 2mg
