Is skirt steak good in air fryer?

Skirt steak is a flavorful and affordable cut of beef that can be cooked in many different ways. Recently, air frying has become a popular cooking method for making quick and easy meals. But is skirt steak good when cooked in an air fryer? Let’s take a closer look at how to cook skirt steak in an air fryer and whether or not it’s worth trying.

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What is skirt steak?

Skirt steak comes from the diaphragm muscles of a cow. It’s a long, flat cut of meat that contains a lot of tough, stringy fibers. When cooked quickly over high heat, these fibers break down and the meat becomes tender and juicy. Skirt steak has a bold, beefy flavor with a slightly chewy texture.

This inexpensive cut of beef is often used for making fajitas, stir fries, and grilling. It’s best when marinated first to help tenderize the meat before cooking. Skirt steak is also sometimes called Philadelphia steak, fajita meat, or arrachera.

Benefits of cooking skirt steak in an air fryer

Using an air fryer to cook skirt steak has several potential benefits:

Doesn’t require oil – Air frying uses rapid air circulation rather than oil to cook food, so it can reduce the fat and calories compared to frying in oil.

Quick cooking time – Skirt steak cooks fast in an air fryer, usually around 10-15 minutes.
Tender and juicy results – The hot air quickly sears the outside while keeping the inside tender.
Easy cleanup – With minimal oil, air fryers are easier to clean up than skillet cooking.

Versatile appliance – An air fryer can also cook fries, veggies and more once you’ve made the skirt steak.

For people looking for quick and easy steak meals, air frying skirt steak can seem like an appealing idea. But how well does it actually work?

How to cook skirt steak in an air fryer

Cooking skirt steak in an air fryer is simple but there are some important tips to follow for the best results:

Trim excess fat and cut into portions – Trim off any large pieces of fat from the steak. Cut into individual 4-6 oz portions for more even cooking.
Marinate the steak – For best flavor and tenderness, marinate the meat for 1-2 hours before cooking. A simple marinade of oil, acidic ingredient like vinegar or citrus, and spices works well.
Pat meat dry – Make sure to pat off any excess marinade or moisture from the steak before air frying. The drier the surface, the better it will brown.

Preheat air fryer – Preheating for 3-5 minutes helps ensure the steak sears properly.
Cook 10-15 minutes – Cook times can vary based on thickness but generally skirt steak takes 10-15 minutes at around 380°F.
Flip halfway – For even cooking, flip the steak over about halfway through cooking.

Check for doneness – Use a meat thermometer or the nick test to check for your desired doneness level.
Let rest 5 minutes – Resting allows the juices to redistribute so the steak stays juicy when cutting into it.

How does skirt steak turn out in the air fryer?

When cooked properly in the air fryer, skirt steak turns out tender and flavorful on the inside with a nice brown sear on the outside. The rapid air circulation cooks the meat fast to keep it juicy while developing a crispy crust.

However, results can depend a lot on the specific cut of meat. Skirt steak is naturally fairly thin, with an uneven shape and thickness. This can lead to some potential issues when air frying:

Inconsistent cooking – Thinner parts can overcook while thicker parts are underdone.
Doesn’t develop deep sear – The thin profile means less surface area for browning reactions.

Prone to drying out – Less natural fat content means it dries out easier than other steaks.

While air frying does work decently for skirt steak, it likely won’t achieve the same level of browning and textural contrast as grilling or broiling this particular cut.

Tips for the best results

If you want to give air frying skirt steak a try, keep these tips in mind for the best results:

Cut steak into smaller, evenly sized pieces before marinating and cooking. This promotes more even cooking.
Only air fry a couple portions at a time. Overcrowding can steam instead of fry.
Use a thicker steak for better browning. Or, bread or flour the surface lightly before air frying.

Preheat longer to get the air fryer as hot as possible before adding steak. This aids in browning.
Cook at the highest temperature your air fryer allows for fast searing.
Brush steak lightly with oil before cooking for better browning and moisture.

Always check steak early and remover thinner pieces as they finish cooking.

Alternative cooking methods

While air frying works, skirt steak may be even better using some other high-heat cooking methods. Here are some alternatives worth considering:

Grilling

Grilling skirt steak over direct high heat is a classic preparation. The open flames sear the meat while allowing fats to drip away.

Grilling develops excellent charred flavor and texture. Just keep the steak moving and watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Broiling

Broiling in the oven is similar to grilling. High, direct heat from the broiler browns the surface while cooking the inside.

Use a rimmed baking sheet and center rack position. Keep a close eye to avoid burning the thinner sections.

Pan searing

A hot cast iron or stainless steel skillet can also achieve great sear and caramelization on skirt steak.

Use a small amount of oil and cook steak over high heat until well browned, around 2 minutes per side.

Stir frying

Cutting skirt steak into bite-sized strips is ideal for quick, high-heat stir frying.

Make sure to cut across the grain so the meat stays tender. Stir fry with vegetables and sauce for fajitas or Asian dishes.

What about sous vide?

Sous vide cooking involves vacuum sealing steak in a bag, then cooking very slowly in precise, controlled water temperature. While this method makes almost any cut extremely tender, it’s not always ideal for skirt steak.

The challenge is that to tenderize skirt steak’s tough fibers sous vide requires 24+ hours. This can make the meat mushy and diminish its characteristic beefy flavor.

However, if you’re willing to experiment, trying sous vide at around 133°F for 10-12 hours could potentially yield decent results. Follow up by searing the exterior.

Best recipes for air fried skirt steak

To make the most of cooking skirt steak in the air fryer, choose recipes that include bold marinades, rubs and sauces. This helps boost the flavor to make up for slightly diminished sear and texture.

Here are 3 great air fryer skirt steak recipes to try out:

Chimichurri Skirt Steak

Argentinian chimichurri sauce provides big, bright flavor to balance the meat. A spice rub also adds flavor before air frying.

Korean BBQ Skirt Steak

Marinating skirt steak in a Korean bbq marinade gives it a sweet and savory flavor profile. Rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger provide lots of taste.

Fajita Skirt Steak

Classic fajita marinade with lime, cumin, chili powder and cayenne infuses the meat with Tex-Mex flair. Slice into strips after cooking to serve in warm tortillas.

Conclusion

While skirt steak may not be quite as well-suited to air frying as thicker, more evenly shaped cuts of beef, the method can still produce good results. Cutting the steak into smaller portions, taking care not to overcrowd the air fryer, and using bold flavors in marinades and sauces are key to success.

For the very best results with skirt steak, grilling, broiling or pan searing may be preferable. But air frying remains a quick and convenient cooking option that can deliver tasty, tender steak when done properly.