The Secret to Perfectly Reheated Steak? An Air Fryer, of Course

Learn how to quickly reheat a steak using an air fryer, and why its one of the best methods for getting your steak hot without overcooking it!

Reheating steak can be tricky.

You're trying to get it hot and juicy again without overcooking it. Trying to recreate that outside sear without drying it out

Enter your steaks new best friend: The air fryer.

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you reheat your leftover steak without sacrificing taste or texture.

Whether you have filet mignon, sirloin, or flank steak, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised with the results.

Get ready to enjoy your steak all over again, thanks to the air fryer!

Jump to:

• How an Air Fryer Works
• Why Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer?
• Preparing Your Steak for Reheating
• Reheating the Steak
• Alternative Methods for Reheating Steak
• 📖 Recipe

How an Air Fryer Works

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food quickly and evenly.

It achieves the crispy texture of frying without excessive oil, making it a healthier option.

The heating element produces the necessary heat to cook the food, while a powerful fan circulates hot air around it.

This creates an even distribution of temperature and cooks the surface of the food to a golden-brown finish.

Most air fryers come with a nonstick cooking basket or tray, where food is arranged in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

The appliance performs well at various temperature settings, ranging from low to high heat, and can be adjusted depending on the recipe and desired results.

Preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before placing food inside ensures consistency.

When reheating steak, the circulating hot air quickly cooks the meat while maintaining its tenderness and juiciness.

If you don't yet own an air fryer, one of our favorites is the NuWave Brio because of its genrous size, temperature range, and heating consistency.

Why Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer?

Reheating your leftover steak in an air fryer has some distinct advantages over other methods, and will make your steak taste almost as good as when it was freshly cooked.

One of the primary reasons to reheat steak in an air fryer is that it can improve the overall texture of the steak, giving it a slightly crispy exterior while maintaining a juicy interior that stays at the orignal doneness level while the outside gets hot.

Try doing that in a microwave.

The air fryer's circulating hot air technology works to recreate the crisp exterior and juicy interior of a freshly grilled or cooked steak in just a few minutes.

This method helps prevent the steak from becoming soggy, which can be a common issue when using a microwave.

Another advantage of using an air fryer to reheat steak is it allows for precise and even reheating.

By simply preheating the air fryer to 350 degrees and cooking the steak for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size and thickness, you can make sure your steak is thoroughly warmed without making it too dry.

Preparing Your Steak for Reheating

Before you reheat your steak in the air fryer, there are a few essential steps to ensure your leftovers taste as delicious as possible.

First, let your leftover steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the steak to reheat more evenly.

Next, gather your ingredients. You'll need a bit of oil or melted butter and some seasoning if you want to add extra flavor.

Olive oil or melted butter works well to prevent the steak from drying out during the reheating process. However, this step is optional, depending on your preference and the desired result.

Now, it's time to prep your steak. Gently pat the surface of the steak to remove any excess moisture with a paper towel. This helps prevent sogginess and form a nice outer crust

Brush your steak lightly with oil or melted butter, ensuring an even coating. If you opted for additional seasoning, now's the time to sprinkle it on. Remember, the steak was already seasoned and cooked, so go easy on the spices to avoid overpowering the original taste.

Finally, consider the thickness of your steak. Thicker cuts may require a little more time to reheat, while thinner cuts may reheat quickly.

So, keep this in mind when determining the reheating time in the air fryer.

Reheating the Steak

To begin, preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

This temperature ensures that your steak will heat evenly without drying out or becoming overcooked.

Once your air fryer has reached the temperature, place the steak in the basket, leaving enough room for proper air circulation. Cook your steak for a total of 6-8 minutes, depending on the size and thickness. A thinner steak may require only 4-6 minutes, while thicker cuts might need an additional 1-2 minutes.

During the cooking process, it's essential to monitor your steak's temperature using a good instant read meat thermometer.

This will help you determine when your steak is thoroughly warmed without overcooking past its original doneness temperature.

• 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare,
• 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit for medium,
• or 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit for medium well.

To ensure even cooking, flip the steak halfway through the cook time. This step guarantees that both sides of the steak are evenly exposed to the hot circulating air.

Once your steak has reached your original doneness internal temperature, carefully remove it from the air fryer.

Let the steak rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the steak, ensuring optimal flavor and tenderness.

Alternative Methods for Reheating Steak

Besides using an air fryer, there are other methods to reheat your steak, each with its own pros and cons. In this section, we'll explore the microwave, stove, and oven methods.

Microwave Method

The microwave is the quickest way to reheat your steak, but it will yeild the poorest results in termsof texture and overcooking past the original doneness.

Pros:

• Fastest method
• Minimal cleanup
• Requires less attention

Cons:

• Uneven heating
• Dried-out texture
• Lack of a sear

To use the microwave, place your steak on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another dish.

Heat it on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to TRY and prevent overcooking.

Stovetop

Using a stove and cast-iron skillet can help you reheat your steak while adding a nice sear to its surface.

It takes a little longer, but its one of the best ways to heat up the outside again without overcooking the inside past its original doneness level.

Pros:

• Control over heat
• Even heating
• Visual inspection possible
• Sear on the surface

Cons:

• Longer process than microwave
• Requires attention
• More extensive cleanup

Place a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop and allow it to preheat on medium heat.

Add a small amount of oil to the skillet, and then gently place your steak in the pan.

Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping the steak frequently to ensure even heating.

This method generally takes longer than using an air fryer but can produce a nice sear on your steak that the air fryer might not.

Oven

An oven is another option for reheating steak, providing a more even heat distribution compared to the microwave, but not as good an outside sear as the cast iron pan.

Pros:

• Even heating
• Less attention needed than stovetop
• Can reheat multiple steaks at once

Cons:

• Longer process compared to microwave
• Possible dry texture if not monitored
• Longer preheating time

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place your steak on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake for about 10-15 minutes, checking frequently to ensure it's reheated to your desired original doneness temperature as outlined above.

While this method takes longer than using an air fryer, it's a good option if you're reheating multiple steaks or prefer a more hands-off approach.

📖 Recipe