Ribeye Steak in the Air Fryer
Ribeye is the richest steak you can buy, with marbling that melts into the meat as it cooks. A rib eye steak in air fryer baskets browns well in 8 to 12 minutes at 200 °C, but the fat can smoke if you do not manage it. Here are timings from rare to well done, plus tips for bone-in steaks and a garlic butter finish.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 45min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 55°C
- Per serving
- 470kcal
Why the air fryer works for ribeye
Cooking a rib eye steak in air fryer baskets brings out what the cut does best. The marbling melts as the steak heats, basting the meat from the inside, while the fast-moving air browns the outside. You also get a result close to grilling without the fat spitting across the hob.
Ribeye is a different steak from a lean sirloin or a soft fillet. It has a rich flavour, a thick fat strip and a rounder eye of meat, so it tolerates more heat and needs a little longer. For an overview of every cut, see steak in the air fryer.
How to make ribeye steak in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the steaks Take them out of the fridge before cooking. Pat dry with kitchen roll, rub with the oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Mash the butter with the garlic and parsley and chill it.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for . Make sure the basket is clean, as old grease will smoke.
- Cook Place the steaks in the basket in a single layer. Cook for for medium-rare, turning after . Allow for rare, for medium and for well done.
- Check the temperature Push a thermometer into the thickest part, away from the fat. The FSA gives no figures for whole beef cuts, so these are common kitchen temperatures: 50 °C rare, 55 °C medium-rare, 60 °C medium and 70 °C well done.
- Rest and finish Move the steaks to a warm plate and place a slice of garlic butter on each. Rest under loose foil for , then serve whole or sliced.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Ribeye Steak | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ribeye, 2.5 cm, medium-rareTurn halfway | 200 °C | 8 min |
| Rare | 200 °C | 6 min |
| Medium | 200 °C | 10 min |
| Well done | 190 °C | 12–14 min |
| Bone-in ribeyeMeasure next to the bone | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Ribeye from frozen | 180 °C | 14–16 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
- Choose well-marbled meat. Look for fine white flecks of fat through the red. They add flavour and keep the steak moist.
- Keep to one turn. Flip the steak once, halfway. Turning often lets heat escape and stops a crust from forming.
- Rest for 5 minutes. Resting keeps the juices in the meat. A cut straight from the basket loses them on the plate.
Serving
Ribeye is rich, so serve it with something sharp or plain: chips, a peppery rocket salad, roasted onions or broccoli. The garlic butter melts into a sauce on the plate. When the steak is done, a ribeye steak in air fryer baskets is ready to carve in minutes.
Storing and reheating
Keep cooked ribeye in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat slices in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Reheated steak is best sliced for sandwiches rather than eaten whole.
Variations
- Blue cheese butter: Mash 25 g butter with 15 g crumbled blue cheese and melt it over the hot steak.
- Coffee and paprika rub: Mix ½ tsp ground coffee, 1 tsp smoked paprika and ½ tsp brown sugar and press onto the steak before cooking.
- Herb butter: Use chives and tarragon in place of parsley for a lighter butter with a mild aniseed note.
Troubleshooting
- The air fryer smokes
- Ribeye fat drips and burns on a hot base. Clean the drawer before cooking and put 2 tbsp of water in it to catch the drips.
- The centre is cooked but the fat is chewy
- Hold the steak on its fat edge with tongs for the last 2 minutes so the thick strip of fat renders and crisps.
- The steak is grey, not browned
- The meat was cold or wet. Bring it to room temperature, dry it thoroughly and preheat the basket properly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a ribeye steak take in an air fryer?
A 2.5 cm ribeye takes about 8 minutes at 200 °C for medium-rare, turned halfway. Allow 10 minutes for medium and 12 minutes for well done.
Can you cook ribeye steak from frozen in an air fryer?
You can, but defrosting overnight gives a better crust. From frozen, cook at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, turning twice, and check the temperature in the centre.
How do you cook a bone-in ribeye in an air fryer?
Add 2 minutes to the time for a bone-in steak and measure the temperature next to the bone, which cooks last. Check that the steak fits flat in the basket.
What temperature is a medium-rare ribeye?
About 55 °C in the centre is the common kitchen figure, rising a few degrees as it rests. The FSA only requires the outside of a whole steak to be cooked through.
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