Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

This Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. A perfectly seasoned steak is cooked to your preferred doneness and finished with a rich garlic herb butter that melts beautifully over the top.

Ingredients

For the Steak

• 2 ribeye, New York strip, or sirloin steaks (8 oz / 225 g each, about 1 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary

Garlic Herb Butter

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 20–30 minutes before cooking.
2. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels.
3. Rub both sides with olive oil and season evenly with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and thyme or rosemary.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
5. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
6. Air fry, flipping halfway through:
   • Rare: 7–8 minutes (125°F / 52°C)
   • Medium-Rare: 8–10 minutes (130–135°F / 54–57°C)
   • Medium: 10–12 minutes (140–145°F / 60–63°C)
   • Medium-Well: 12–13 minutes (150°F / 66°C)
   • Well Done: 13–15 minutes (160°F / 71°C)
7. Meanwhile, mix the softened butter, garlic, parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest until well combined.
8. Transfer the steaks to a plate and immediately top each with a generous spoonful of garlic herb butter.
9. Let the steaks rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 20–30 minutes to bring steaks to room temperature)
• Cook Time: 7–15 minutes
• Rest Time: 5–10 minutes
• Total Time: About 25–40 minutes

Servings: 2

Tips

• Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate results.
• Let the steaks rest after cooking to keep them juicy.
• Compound garlic herb butter can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Pair with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, or a crisp Caesar salad.
• Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper for restaurant-quality flavor.