Air Fryer Tuna Steak

I make delicious air fryer tuna steak any time I need a minimal-effort dinner that’s sure to impress! My Asian ginger soy marinade complements the sweet and creamy flavor of the tuna beautifully.

My Easy Recipe for Tuna Steak in the Air Fryer

The thought of making restaurant-quality tuna at home used to intimidate me, so I’d only order it when we went out to eat. But one day, when we were having my seafood-loving father-in-law over for dinner, I spotted some fresh ahi tuna steaks at the seafood counter that looked so good that I just had to give them a try. So I made this recipe for an air fryer tuna steak.

I didn’t want to deal with the mess of pan-searing, so I decided to mix up a quick marinade and let the tuna soak. Then tossed the tuna steak in the air fryer.

My father-in-law wasn’t just impressed, he ate every bite! Even my husband Ben, who’s more of a “well-done” kind of guy, completely cleaned his plate. Now, this is one of my go-to dishes when I want something that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off!

And, by surprisingly easy, I mean it legit air fries in just 4 minutes. I really can’t beat that!

For more delicious air fryer seafood recipes, try my air fryer salmon, air fryer cod, tilapia in the air fryer, and air fryer shrimp recipes.

What is Ahi Tuna?

The first time I noticed ahi tuna at the seafood counter and looked it up, I was surprised to learn “ahi” comes from the Hawaiian word that basically means yellowfin tuna. It’s a delicious, versatile ingredient, but I especially love that it costs less than bluefin tuna!

Air Fry Tuna Steak Ingredients

• Yellowfin tuna steaks – I use boneless and skinless for easy cooking
• Soy sauce – Adds umami flavor and saltiness to the marinade
• Honey – Balances the salt from the soy sauce
• Ginger – I use freshly grated for just the right kick, but less ground ginger will work
• Sesame oil – Adds a subtle nuttiness, but olive oil will also work
• Rice vinegar – Gives the marinade some acidity to brighten the flavors

How to Cook Tuna 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: Put together the marinade by combining the soy sauce, minced ginger, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil in a large bowl.

STEP TWO: Add the tuna steaks to the marinade. Cover and place them in the fridge for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

STEP THREE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees.

STEP FOUR: Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade, shaking slightly to remove excess marinade, and place them inside the air fryer. Cook them for 4 minutes for medium-rare steaks.

Tips and tricks for the Best Air Fryer Tuna Steak

• Use fresh, high-quality, wild-caught ahi tuna for the best flavor and texture. I look for tuna steaks that are firm, deep red, and don’t have a strong fishy smell.
• I pat the tuna steaks dry with a paper towel before placing them in the marinade so they can really soak up all the flavor.
• Don’t marinate the tuna for too long or it can start to break down the texture. I aim for 20-30 minutes in the marinade.
• Preheat the air fryer before cooking the tuna. This is crucial to getting that sear on the outside without overcooking the inside, so I never skip this step!
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I cook the tuna to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F for that perfect medium-rare finish.
• Let the tuna rest before slicing. I give it a few minutes so the fish can reabsorb its juices for the most tender texture.

Air Fry Tuna Steak Variations and substitutions

• If I don’t have time to marinate the tuna, I’ll still make the marinade, then use half to toss with the tuna before air frying. I use a little more to baste the tuna when it finishes air frying, then serve the rest as a dipping sauce.
• For a gluten-free version, I swap out the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
• When I want a little heat, I like to add red pepper flakes to the marinade.
• I sometimes like to sprinkle chopped cilantro over the tuna steaks instead of green onion for a twist on the flavor.
• A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving adds a bright, citrusy kick. I’ve also tried adding a little to the marinade, and it was delicious!

What to Serve with tuna Steak in the Air Fryer

My air fryer tuna steak recipe is so delicious, especially paired with my soy sauce and ginger marinade, so I usually keep my sides pretty simple. Veggies like air fryer green beans, air fryer carrots, or air fryer asparagus are my go-tos!

If I’m entertaining and want to serve some fun appetizers, egg rolls, crab rangoon dip, or air fryer wontons are always a crowd pleaser!

Air Fryer Tuna Steak FAQs

Air fry tuna steak cooking times

• Rare: 3 minutes
• Medium-Rare: 4 minutes
• Medium: 4 ½ minutes
• Well Done: 5 minutes

Is it safe to eat raw tuna steaks?

Ahi tuna is commonly served as sushi, so yes, it’s safe to eat raw! Since air fryer tuna steaks are meant to be served close to raw in the middle, I always choose high-quality tuna steaks. Bonus points if the tuna steaks are marked as sushi grade!

Is ahi tuna healthier than salmon?

I consider both salmon and ahi tuna very healthy! Yellowfin tuna has less fat and about 8 more grams of protein than salmon per 4.5 ounce serving, but salmon contains more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. I love eating both of these nutritious fish!

How to cook frozen tuna steaks in an air fryer

If I need to thaw tuna steaks from frozen, I’ll preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F, then cook the frozen ahi tuna for 4 minutes. I prep the marinade like usual, add the tuna steaks after the 4 minutes are up, and marinate for at least 10 minutes. After that, I place the tuna steaks back in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes like usual.

How to use leftover air fryer tuna steaks

I don’t recommend reheating tuna steaks. Ahi tuna is very lean, so reheating it can cause it to dry out and become tasteless. Instead, I enjoy any leftovers cold, usually over salads!

How should I store leftover air fry tuna steaks?

If I do happen to have leftover tuna steaks, I store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The fish will stay fresh for up to 3 days, but is best eaten when fresh.

More Easy Air fryer Recipes

• Pork loin in the air fryer
• Air fryer cornish hen
• Turkey burgers in the air fryer
• Air fryer fried chicken
• Filet mignon in the air fryer

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