Ribeye Steak in the Air Fryer
A good ribeye needs high heat, a dry surface and a close eye on the clock, and the air fryer supplies all three without smoking up the kitchen. Air fryer ribeye steak comes out with a browned crust and a juicy, marbled center in about 10 minutes. The chart below gives times by thickness and doneness, for bone-in and boneless steaks.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 25min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Internal temp
- 145°F63 °C
- Per serving
- 810kcal
Why the air fryer works for ribeye steak
Ribeye is marbled with intramuscular fat, which melts as the steak heats and keeps the meat juicy. The trick is browning the outside before the inside overshoots. In the air fryer, fast-moving hot air strips moisture off the surface, so the crust forms quickly while the center is still pink. It acts like a very small convection oven pushed to its limit.
A grill pan or cast-iron skillet gives a harder sear, but it also fills the house with smoke. The air fryer sears less aggressively and is easier to repeat, and the drawer catches the rendered fat. That makes air fryer ribeye steak a reliable weeknight steak dinner for one to two people.
How to make ribeye steak in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Temper the steaks Take the ribeyes out of the refrigerator before cooking. This takes the chill off so the center cooks at the same pace as the crust.
- Dry and season Pat both sides and the edges very dry with paper towels, then rub with the oil. Season with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for . Do not skip this, because a hot basket gives you the crust.
- Cook Lay the steaks in the basket in a single layer. For a 1 inch ribeye, cook for , flipping after , for medium-rare to medium. Use the time chart below for other thicknesses and start checking before the time is up.
- Check the temperature Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part, away from any bone or large pocket of fat. Many cooks take ribeye out at 130–135 °F for medium-rare. The USDA recommends 145 °F, followed by a 3-minute rest.
- Add butter and rest Mash the butter with the parsley and spoon it over the steaks as soon as they come out. Rest them for on a plate, then slice against the grain.
Times and temperatures
| Ribeye Steak | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-rare, 1 inchPull at 130–135 °F | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10 min |
| Medium, 1 inch | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12 min |
| Well done, 1 inch | 400 °F (200 °C) | 14–16 min |
| Thick-cut, 1½ inchesFor medium-rare | 400 °F (200 °C) | 14–16 min |
| FrozenFlip twice | 380 °F (190 °C) | 16–20 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 145 °F (63 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Match the thickness. Steaks of 1 to 1½ inches work best. Thin ribeyes under ¾ inch overcook before they brown, so shorten the time to 6 to 8 minutes.
- Dry brine if you can. Salt the steaks and leave them uncovered in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours. The surface dries out and the steak browns better.
- Rest it. A 5-minute rest means the juices stay in the meat when you slice.
Which ribeye to buy
Ribeye, also spelled rib eye, is sold boneless or bone-in, and a bone-in steak with a long bone is often called a cowboy steak. Bone-in steaks may need 2 to 3 more minutes, and the thermometer should avoid the bone. A basket of 4 to 6 qt fits one or two steaks, so cook in batches if you are feeding more. For a lean steak with less marbling, the general steak in the air fryer page is a better guide.
What to serve with ribeye steak
Steakhouse sides suit it well. Try baked potatoes or asparagus, or a pile of mushrooms and onions. If you like it casual, serve sliced ribeye with crispy french fries and a salad.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover steak in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat sliced ribeye in the air fryer at 320 °F for 2 to 3 minutes, or a whole steak for 4 to 5 minutes, until the center is hot. Leftovers should reach 165 °F in the center for safety, which means the steak will cook further, so it is best for sandwiches and salads.
Variations
- Steak bites: Cut the ribeye into 1-inch cubes and cook at 400 °F for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking once. See steak bites for a full recipe.
- Coffee rub: Mix ½ tsp ground coffee and 1 tsp brown sugar into the seasoning for a deeper crust.
- Blue cheese butter: Replace the parsley butter with 2 tbsp butter mashed with 1 tbsp crumbled blue cheese.
If it does not turn out right
- The steak is dry
- It stayed in too long. Pull the ribeye 5 degrees under your target temperature and let it rest. Overdone ribeye also loses its melted fat, which is the point of this cut.
- The air fryer smokes
- Fat drips onto the bottom of the drawer and burns. Pour 1 tbsp water into the drawer under the basket before cooking, and wipe out the grease between batches.
- The edge of fat is chewy
- Cut small slits through the fat cap every inch, or finish by standing the steak on its fat edge for the last 2 minutes so it renders and crisps.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook ribeye steak in the air fryer?
A 1 inch ribeye takes about 8 minutes for rare, 10 for medium-rare, 12 for medium and 14 to 16 for well done at 400 °F, flipped halfway. A 1½ inch steak needs 4 to 6 more minutes.
What temperature is a medium-rare ribeye?
Remove it at 130–135 °F, since it rises about 5 degrees while it rests. The USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest for whole cuts of beef.
Can you cook a ribeye from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook it at 380 °F for 16 to 20 minutes, flipping twice, and season once the surface has thawed. Check the center with a thermometer.
Do you need to add oil to air fryer ribeye?
A thin film of oil helps the seasoning stick and the crust brown. Ribeye has plenty of fat, so a tablespoon for two steaks is enough.
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