Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance in recent years. Their ability to cook food quickly and with less oil than traditional deep frying makes them an attractive option for home cooks looking to prepare healthier versions of typically fried foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more. But can you use an air fryer to cook a juicy, flavorful steak like the New York strip?
What is a New York Strip Steak?
The New York strip steak, also known as a Kansas City or Manhattan steak, is a tender, flavorful cut of beef from the short loin primal. It contains a T-shaped bone and has a thick band of fat running down one side that helps keep it juicy and gives it its signature flavor.
New York strips are considered one of the premium steak cuts because they have good marbling that keeps them tender and adds robust beefy flavor. They are portions of the top loin muscle, the same muscle that makes up the much pricier porterhouse and T-bone steaks. Because they don’t have any large sections of connective tissue, they are naturally tender and don’t require a long cooking time.
When cooked correctly to no more than medium doneness, the New York strip delivers a buttery, rich taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture that steak lovers crave. It’s an excellent choice for a special occasion steak dinner.
Benefits of Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer has several potential benefits when cooking steak:
- Cooks food quickly: Air fryers use superheated air and a circulating fan to quickly cook food from the outside in. This allows the steak to be ready faster than oven broiling or pan frying.
- Requires little or no oil: The hot air rapidly cooks and crisps the exterior with little or no added oil needed.
- Reduces fat content: With less need for added fats or oils, air frying can decrease the overall fat and calorie counts.
- Adds crunch: The constant hot airflow crisps up and browns the steak’s exterior.
- Retains natural juices: Quick cooking helps limit moisture loss, keeping steaks tender.
- Easy to use: Air fryers have simple controls and settings and are easy to operate.
- Versatile: Most air fryers have adjustable settings to cook a variety of foods.
For people looking to enjoy the great taste of steak with less fat and calories, air frying is certainly appealing. But how does it actually work with a premium cut like the New York strip?
Challenges of Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer
While air fryers have benefits, there are some challenges that can arise when air frying steaks:
- Small capacity: Most air fryers only hold around 2-4 servings of food at once.
- Uneven cooking: Air flow can create hot and cool spots leading to uneven browning.
- Temperature control: It can be tricky to achieve the exact temperature needed especially for doneness preferences.
- Lack of pan sear: No pan searing may mean a steak lacks the caramelized crust from pan frying.
- Moisture loss: Some air fryers rapidly dehydrate food which can make steaks tougher.
- Sticking: Steaks can stick to the air fryer’s metal basket without oil to coat it.
- Dense foods: Thick steaks and chops may not cook through completely in some air fryers.
These challenges need to be addressed and compensated for in order to get great results cooking New York strip steaks in an air fryer.
Best Practices for Air Frying New York Strips
To minimize the downsides and take advantage of an air fryer’s upsides when cooking New York strips, keep these tips in mind:
- Use thick, high quality steaks at least 1-inch thick.
- Pat steaks dry before cooking to encourage browning.
- Season steaks well with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning.
- Let steaks sit out for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off before cooking.
- Preheat air fryer fully before adding steaks.
- Brush both sides lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Flip steaks halfway during cooking for even browning.
- Check for doneness a few minutes early to prevent overcooking.
- Rest steaks 5-10 minutes once cooked before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
Following these simple guidelines will help minimize the drawbacks of air frying while producing steaks that are juicy, evenly cooked, and flavorful with a bit of crisping on the outside.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is a simple start to finish recipe for cooking perfect New York strip steaks in an air fryer:
Ingredients:
- New York strip steaks, cut 1 – 1 1/2 inches thick (about 8-12 oz each)
- Olive oil or avocado for brushing
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Thyme, oregano, marjoram, etc. (optional seasonings)
Instructions:
- Take steaks out of refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Pat steaks dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Brush both sides lightly with oil. Too much can cause excess smoke.
- Season generously with salt and pepper. Add any other seasonings as desired.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Place steaks in air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Cook for 5 minutes then flip steaks over.
- Cook for another 4-7 minutes, checking frequently, until steaks reach desired doneness. (135°F for medium-rare)
- Remove steaks from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking times will vary based on thickness of steaks and preferred doneness. Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature for accurate doneness.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some additional pointers to ensure your air fried New York strips turn out juicy and delicious:
- Don’t overcrowd – Cook steaks in a single layer with space between to allow air flow.
- Brush with oil – A light coating prevents sticking and aids browning.
- Preheat properly – Fully preheat the air fryer before adding steaks.
- Flip halfway – Flipping ensures even cooking on both sides.
- Monitor doneness – Check early and use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Rest before serving – Letting steaks rest allows juices to redistribute.
- Use good thickness – 1-inch minimum thickness works best.
- Don’t overload basket – Overfilling prevents proper air circulation.
- Adjust cook time – The times given may need adjusting based on your air fryer model.
Paying attention to these details will help you achieve the best possible results and enjoy restaurant-quality New York strip steaks cooked in your home air fryer.
Common Air Fryer Steak Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to end up with mediocre steaks if you don’t adhere to some air frying best practices. Here are some typical mistakes to avoid:
- Not patting steaks dry – Wet steaks won’t brown as well.
- Using steaks that are too thin – Leaner cuts like strips need thickness to stay juicy.
- Overcrowding the basket – Too many steaks prevents proper airflow.
- Not preheating fully – Air fryer needs to be up to temp before cooking.
- Using too much oil – Just a light brushing is needed.
- Not flipping steaks – Flipping ensures even cooking on both sides.
- Cooking for the full time given – Always check doneness early.
- Not tracking temperature – A thermometer ensures correct doneness.
- Cutting into steaks too soon – Letting steaks rest locks in juices.
Following the proper techniques and avoiding these common mistakes will lead to much better results when air frying New York strips or any steak.
Are Air Fried Steaks as Good as Grilled or Pan Fried?
While air frying does produce tasty steaks, the results may not be quite as good as what you’d get from outdoor grilling or stovetop pan frying. Here’s how the three cooking methods compare:
Grilled Steaks
- Gets hottest for better sear
- Adds charcoal or wood smoke flavor
- Can be harder to gauge doneness
- More difficult to cook evenly
- Limited to good weather outdoors
Pan Fried Steaks
- Sears the surface well in hot pan
- Butter or oil bastes steaks
- Pan fond adds extra flavor
- Easy to flip and move steaks
- Messy splattering in kitchen
Air Fried Steaks
- Convenient countertop cooking
- Minimal splatter or smoke
- Cooks very quickly
- Less control of texture and fond
- Can lose moisture if not careful
An air fryer lets you conveniently cook steaks year-round with minimal fuss or mess. But the high dry heat of grilling or the flavor imparted from pan searing are hard to fully replicate. For the absolute best results with thick steaks like the New York strip, go with one of the classic cooking methods if possible.
Serving Suggestions
A perfect New York strip deserves an equally perfect presentation at the table. Consider these serving suggestions to make the most of your air fried steaks:
- Top with compound butter – Flavored butters like garlic-parsley or bleu cheese melt deliciously over hot steaks.
- Drizzle with steak sauce – Add extra flavor with chimichurri, bearnaise, au poivre sauce, etc.
- Serve with vegetables – Roasted, grilled, or sauteed veggies complement steaks wonderfully.
- Include starchy side dish – Go for roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, or quick-cooking polenta.
- Toast thick slices of bread – Great for sopping up steak juices and sauce.
- Add a crisp green salad – Help balance the richness of the steak.
- Don’t forget dessert – Indulge in something chocolate, fruity, or creamy.
A thoughtfully composed plate makes for a steak dinner done right. Serve your air fried New York strips restaurant style for best enjoyment.
Get Creative with Marinades and Rubs
One way to maximize flavor with air fried steaks is to marinate them or use spice rubs. Experiment with these creative options:
Marinades
- Red wine and garlic
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger
- Balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard
- Beer or cola and chili powder
- Olive oil, lemon, and herbs
Dry Rubs
- Brown sugar and smoked paprika
- Coffee, cocoa powder, cayenne
- Ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano
- Coriander, mustard powder, turmeric
- Rosemary, crushed peppercorns, salt
Marinating for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before air frying infuses the steaks with lots of flavor. Dry rubs help form a tasty crust when air fried. Get creative exploring different spice and herb combinations.
Make a Complete Steakhouse Dinner
Rather than just serving plain steaks, go all out and create an entire steakhouse-worthy spread with these recipes:
Appetizers
- Shrimp cocktail
- Oysters on the half shell
- Wedge salad with bleu cheese
- Lobster bisque
Sides
- Creamed spinach
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Roasted asparagus
- Scalloped potatoes
- Yorkshire pudding
Desserts
- New York cheesecake
- Creme brulee
- Chocolate lava cake
- Cherries jubilee
Treating your guests to appetizers, sides, drinks like martinis, and elegant desserts transforms a simple steak dinner into a special, celebratory meal. Go all out with the upscale ambiance of a steakhouse right in your own home.
Best Cuts for Air Frying Besides New York Strip
For alternatives to New York strip, these cuts of beef also produce excellent results when air fried:
- Ribeye – Well marbled for flavor and tenderness.
- Filet mignon – Tender though less fat so take care not to overcook.
- Flat iron – Thin but flavorful cut that air fries quickly.
- Tri-tip – Distinctive grain and decent marbling.
- Hanger steak – Lean but very beefy tasting.
- Flank steak – Affordable cut that air fries nicely.
Whichever cut you choose, applying the best practices outlined will help you achieve fantastic air fried steaks. Vary the preparation with spice rubs, sauces, or marinades for delicious results.
Conclusion
While an air fryer may not produce exactly the same results as outdoor grilling or pan frying, air frying remains a quick and convenient cooking method to make juicy, flavorful New York strip steaks right at home. Using properly thick steaks, monitoring doneness carefully, brushing with a little oil, and employing the right techniques allows you to minimize the drawbacks and fully take advantage of the benefits of air frying.
Treat your family or guests to indulgent, satisfying New York strip steaks along with delicious accompaniments and sides all made conveniently in your versatile air fryer any night of the week.