My air fryer sirloin steak tastes like it just came out of a restaurant kitchen but is so easy to make right at home! I love how it turns out juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked every time.
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My Recipe for Tender Sirloin Steak in the Air Fryer
The first time I tried air fryer sirloin steak, I was genuinely curious how it would turn out. I have always sworn by the grill method for this cut of steak. But we were out of propane, and the oven would take way too long, and I was craving a hot, juicy steak now.
I assumed steak in the air fryer would be good, but I wasn’t expecting it to be THAT good! It got wonderfully crispy on the outside, and my husband Ben was so impressed that it was cooked to perfection from edge-to-edge.
He turned to me mid-bite and said, “Why do we even have a grill?” I laughed because, technically, our grill has been out of propane for more than 6 months, and I just haven’t had the need to get more because I’ve been air frying everything anyway.
Personally, I think my favorite part is the easy garlic-herb butter I throw together while the steak is resting. It adds that steakhouse-quality touch that turns a super easy family dinner into a special occasion every time I make it!
And, if you love a good air fryer steak recipe, try my recipes for air fryer steak bites, filet mignon in the air fryer, air fryer ribeye, air fryer london broil, flank steak in the air fryer, and air fryer new york strip.
Air Fry Sirloin Steak Ingredients
- Sirloin steaks – I used 8 to 10 ounce steaks that were around ¾ to 1-inch thick
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Parsley – I prefer fresh parsley for the butter topping in my recipe
- Rosemary – while I love using fresh rosemary, using ⅓ of the dried kind has worked in a pinch
- Garlic
How to Cook Steak in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Allow the sirloin steaks to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steaks on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper.
STEP THREE: Place the steak in the air fryer in the center of the basket or tray and cook for 8-15 minutes until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
STEP FOUR: Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes.
STEP FIVE: Meanwhile, mash together the butter, parsley, chives, garlic, and rosemary in a small bowl until it’s well combined.
STEP SIX: Slice the steak against the grain into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Top with the garlic-herb butter and serve.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
- Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying. This is my trick to getting it cooked evenly all the way through!
- Preheat the air fryer before placing the steak inside. I find this is the best way to get that sear on the outside.
- Let the steak rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. I never slice into a steak earlier than that because it will lose its juices.
- Slice against the grain when cutting the steak. I love how this gives it a restaurant-quality presentation.
- Use an Instant Read Thermometer or meat thermometer to check the temperature. This is the best way to make sure the steak is cooked perfectly.
Cooking Steak in the Air Fryer Variations and Substitutions
- Play around with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Montreal seasoning. I even love to add a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter to give it a little spice.
- Try different sauces for a twist on the taste. I enjoy a good chimichurri and steakhouse mushrooms, while my husband really likes creamy horseradish on top.
- Swap sirloin for ribeye for a fattier, more flavorful cut. I always make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the steak.
- Marinate the steak overnight for maximum flavor. I love how a simple steak marinade can take a steak to the next level!
- Brush a little butter or olive oil over the steak in the air fryer before cooking. I find this gives the exterior an extra bit of crispiness that is heavenly.
What to Serve With Sirloin Steak in the Air Fryer
When I want a simple yet elevated-looking dinner, air fryer asparagus, air fryer carrots, and easy biscuits are my go-to sides!
When I want a more luxuriously cozy meal in the winter, I’ll typically serve the air fryer steak with roasted acorn squash, rosemary mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, or mac and cheese!
Air Fryer Sirloin Steak FAQs
How long to cook steak in the air fryer
The cook time for my sirloin steak in the air fryer will depend around what doneness the steak is being cooked to. I use this guide when air frying them.
- Rare: around 6 minutes, internal temperature of 125-130 degrees F
- Medium rare: about 8 minutes, internal temperature of 135 degrees F
- Medium: 10-12 minutes, internal temperature of 140-150 degrees F
- Medium-well: 12-15 minutes, internal temperature of 150-160 degrees F
- Well-done: 15 minutes, internal temperature of 160 degrees F
How to store air fry sirloin steak
I let my leftover sirloin steaks fully cool before transferring them to an airtight container to store in the fridge. I always eat the steak within 3-4 days.
How to reheat sirloin steak in the air fryer
The air fryer is hands-down my favorite way to reheat leftover sirloin steak! I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, add the leftover steak to my air fryer basket, then cook for 3-5 minutes until it’s heated all the way through.
Is there a difference between sirloin steak and top sirloin?
Top sirloin is a specific type of sirloin and is one of the most tender cuts of meat, so it’s usually more expensive. Sirloin steak, also called rump steak, isn’t quite as tender and is more budget-friendly, but it turns out amazingly juicy when I cook it in the air fryer!
Why do I let the steak rest before slicing?
I always recommend letting steak rest for at least 10 minutes so it will reabsorb the juices it released during the cooking process. This is the key to the most tender steak possible!
Do I need to flip sirloin steak in the air fryer?
I don’t flip sirloin steak in the air fryer. I think keeping the air fryer closed during the full cooking process, meaning no heat escapes, gives me the most evenly-cooked steak. There’s no harm in flipping it once if you prefer to.
How do I cook an air fryer sirloin steak without it drying out?
My biggest trick to tender, juicy steak is to let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying. Cold steak from the fridge will cook faster at the edges and not in the center, meaning it takes longer to cook all the way through and leads to overcooked, dried-out steak.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
- Air fryer whole chicken
- Boneless pork chops in the air fryer
- Air fryer cod
- Air fryer meatloaf
- Air fryer burgers
- Air fryer chicken legs
- Pork loin in the air fryer
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Tender Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 8-10 ounce sirloin steaks ¾-1 inch thick
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
- ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Allow the steaks to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper.
- Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket or tray and cook until desired doneness, about 6 to 15 minutes. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mash together the butter, parsley, chives, garlic, and rosemary in a small bowl until well combined.
- Slice the steak against the grain and top with the garlic-herb butter.
Video
Notes
- Rare: around 6 minutes, internal temperature of 125-130 degrees F
- Medium rare: about 8 minutes, internal temperature of 135 degrees F
- Medium: 10-12 minutes, internal temperature of 140-150 degrees F
- Medium-well: 12-15 minutes, internal temperature of 150-160 degrees F
- Well-done: 15 minutes, internal temperature of 160 degrees F
- Let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying.
- Preheat the air fryer for the most even cooking.
- Let the steak rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes until heated thoroughly.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
The ingredients include “fresh rosemary”, then the instructions replace it with “crushed red pepper”.
Which is correct or preferred?
Hi John, thank you for mentioning that. It is rosemary, but you can add some red pepper flakes for some heat. I have updated it in the recipe.
Great
Do you flip the steaks half way through cooking?
I have flipped it halfway and not flipped it and it turns out well both times.
i made them tonight and they turned out great , thank you
I should have just cooked these mediocre steaks for 8 minutes, 10 minutes was just a bit too long still edible but not perfect. I appreciate all your AF recipes. Thank you!