Tuna Steak in the Air Fryer
Tuna steak turns dry and chalky if it stays on the heat for even a minute too long. Tuna steak air fryer cooking is quick and controlled, so you can choose a pink centre or a cooked-through steak in 6–8 minutes. This recipe uses a simple soy and lime marinade and explains what the temperatures mean.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 27min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 52°C
- Per serving
- 210kcal
Why the air fryer works for tuna steak
Tuna steak air fryer cooking works because tuna is a lean, dense fish that needs high heat for a short time. A frying pan can sear it, but it spits and the steak often cooks unevenly. The air fryer surrounds the steak with very hot air, so the outside browns while the centre stays tender, and a 2.5 cm steak is ready in 6–8 minutes.
Tuna is also an unforgiving fish. It has little fat, so each extra minute dries it. A thermometer takes the guesswork out. The pink centre popular in restaurants is a matter of taste and kitchen practice rather than official safety advice, and a steak cooked all the way through is just as easy in the air fryer, if firmer. For other fish, see salmon fillet or cod.
How to cook tuna steak in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Marinate Mix the soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and pepper. Turn the tuna steaks in the mixture and leave them for in the fridge. Longer than makes the surface mushy.
- Dry and oil Lift the steaks out, pat them dry with kitchen roll and brush them with the rapeseed oil. Dry fish sears; wet fish steams.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for so the basket is properly hot.
- Cook Place the steaks in the basket with space between them. Cook for for a pink centre, turning after . For medium, cook for ; for cooked through with no pink, cook for .
- Check A thermometer in the thickest part reads about 52 °C for a pink centre and 60–63 °C for cooked through. Rest for and serve with lime wedges.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Tuna Steak | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna steak, pink centreTurn halfway | 200 °C | 6 min |
| Tuna steak, medium | 200 °C | 7 min |
| Tuna steak, cooked through | 190 °C | 9–10 min |
| Thin tuna steak, 1.5 cm | 200 °C | 4–5 min |
| Tuna steak from frozenDefrosting is better | 180 °C | 12–14 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 52 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose thick steaks. Aim for 2–2.5 cm. Thin steaks overcook before they brown.
- Keep the marinade short. The acid in lime juice starts to cook the surface, so 15–30 minutes is plenty.
- Rest briefly. Two minutes lets the juices settle, so the slices stay moist.
Serving
Slice the tuna and serve it with rice, cucumber and a drizzle of soy and lime, or on a salad with new potatoes. Asparagus or green beans cook in the same machine in 6–8 minutes. If you want to know how long to cook tuna steak in the air fryer for a family, work in batches of two steaks at a time.
Storing and reheating
Cooked tuna keeps for 1 day in the fridge. Reheating dries it out, so it is best eaten cold in a salad or sandwich. If you do reheat tuna steak in the air fryer, use 160 °C for 3 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
Variations
- Sesame crust: Press 2 tbsp mixed black and white sesame seeds onto the steaks after marinating for a nutty crust.
- Cajun tuna: Skip the marinade and rub the steaks with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning and a little oil.
- Lemon and herb: Marinate in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and chopped dill for a lighter flavour.
Troubleshooting
- The tuna is dry and grey
- It has been cooked too long. A 2.5 cm steak is done in 6–8 minutes, so set a timer and check early. A pink centre stays moister.
- The surface is pale instead of seared
- The fish was wet or the basket was cold. Pat it dry, preheat to 200 °C and brush with a little oil.
- The steaks stick to the basket
- Brush the basket with oil, or put the steaks on a perforated liner. Lift them with a thin spatula.
Frequently asked questions
How long does tuna steak take in an air fryer?
A 2.5 cm steak takes 6 minutes at 200 °C for a pink centre, 7 minutes for medium and 8–9 minutes for cooked through, turned halfway.
Can you cook tuna steak from frozen in the air fryer?
It is better to defrost it overnight in the fridge. If you must, cook it from frozen at 180 °C for 12–14 minutes, turning halfway, and check that the centre is cooked.
Is it safe to eat tuna steak pink?
Pink tuna is common restaurant practice, not Food Standards Agency guidance, which gives no figure. Choose very fresh fish. Anyone pregnant, elderly or with a weak immune system should have it cooked all the way through (63 °C).
How do you cook tuna steak well done in the air fryer?
Cook at 190 °C for 9–10 minutes, turning once, until it is opaque and flakes easily. It will be firmer and drier than a pink steak.
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