Fillet Steak in the Air Fryer
Fillet is the most tender steak and the most expensive, so it is the one you least want to overcook. It is lean, which means there is little margin between pink and grey. Fillet steak in the air fryer cooks evenly in 10–12 minutes, with a browned crust and a soft centre, as long as you watch the temperature rather than the clock.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 22min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 55°C
- Per serving
- 330kcal
Why the air fryer works for fillet steak
Fillet steak in air fryer baskets suits a cut that has almost no fat. The hot air browns the surface evenly without a splash of fat or a smoky kitchen, and the cooking time is short enough that you can plan it to the minute. A fillet cooks from the outside in, so a quick high heat gives a crust while the middle stays rosy.
If you want a cut with more fat and a stronger beef flavour, try sirloin steak instead. For a general guide to steak cuts and doneness, see steak in the air fryer. This page is about fillet only, which is thicker and needs a little more care.
How to make fillet steak in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the steaks Take the steaks out of the fridge before cooking. Pat them dry and, if they are not already tied, wrap kitchen string around the middle so they hold their round shape.
- Season Rub the steaks with the oil and season all over with salt and pepper, including the sides.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for so the crust starts to form at once.
- Cook Stand the steaks in the basket with space between them. Cook for , turning them over after . Allow for rare, 10–12 for medium-rare and 14 for medium.
- Check the temperature Push a meat thermometer into the centre from the side. Take the steaks out at 55 °C for medium-rare or 60–63 °C for medium. These are common kitchen figures, not FSA rules.
- Rest with butter Put the steaks on a warm plate with the butter, garlic and thyme on top. Rest for , spooning the melted butter over the meat before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Fillet Steak | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fillet steak, 4 cm, medium-rareTurn halfway | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Fillet steak, rare | 200 °C | 8–9 min |
| Fillet steak, medium | 200 °C | 14 min |
| Fillet steak, well doneCore 70 °C | 180 °C | 16–18 min |
| Thin fillet, 2.5 cm | 200 °C | 7–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 55 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Buy thick, even steaks. A fillet cut from the centre of the tail is 4 cm high and cooks evenly. Thin end pieces overcook easily.
- Use the thermometer. The difference between medium-rare and medium is about 5 °C, which is 2 minutes in the air fryer.
- Add flavour afterwards. Butter, garlic and herbs added after cooking do not burn in the basket and still flavour the meat.
Serving
Serve fillet with a simple sauce such as peppercorn or red wine, alongside mini potatoes, green beans or sliced roasted onions. When you cook fillet steak in air fryer batches for a dinner, cook the potatoes first and keep them warm. The steaks only take 12 minutes.
Storing and reheating
Cooked fillet keeps for up to 2 days, covered, in the fridge. It is best eaten cold in a salad, as reheating overcooks lean meat. If you do reheat slices, give them 2 minutes at 160 °C until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre).
Variations
- Pepper crust: Press 1 tsp coarsely crushed black peppercorns on each side before cooking.
- Blue cheese butter: Mash 25 g blue cheese into 25 g soft butter and add a slice to each hot steak. This version is not dairy-free.
- Wrapped in bacon: Wrap each steak with a rasher of streaky bacon, secure with a cocktail stick and add 1–2 minutes to the cooking time.
Troubleshooting
- The steak is cooked on the outside but raw in the middle
- Fillet is thick. Take it out of the fridge in advance, and for a cut over 4 cm lower the heat to 180 °C and add 2–3 minutes.
- The fillet is dry and grey
- It was cooked past medium. Lean meat has no fat to protect it, so take it out 3 °C before your target and let the rest finish the job.
- There is no crust
- The meat was damp or the basket was cold. Dry the steak well, preheat the air fryer and add the butter only after cooking.
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook fillet steak in the air fryer?
A 4 cm fillet takes 10–12 minutes at 200 °C for medium-rare, turned halfway. Rare takes about 8–9 minutes and medium 14 minutes. Thinner 2.5 cm steaks need 7–8 minutes.
How do you cook fillet steak in the air fryer without drying it out?
Start with a steak at room temperature, use a thermometer and rest it for 5 minutes. Fillet is lean, so it dries out quickly once it passes medium.
What temperature is a medium-rare fillet steak?
Medium-rare is about 55 °C in the centre, medium 60–63 °C and well done 70 °C. The FSA gives no figures for beef steaks, only that the outside should be properly cooked.
Can you cook fillet steak from frozen in the air fryer?
It is not recommended, as the outside overcooks before the centre thaws. Defrost in the fridge overnight for the best result.
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