Air Fryer Flank Steak {6 Ingredients}
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Yes, you CAN cook steak in the air fryer! Made with budget-friendly flank steak and a 5-ingredient dry rub, this Air Fryer Flank Steak recipe is tender, juicy, and cooks in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or any time you need an easy dinner idea.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
When people think of steak, the first thing that comes to mind is grilling. But what happens when you want a nice, juicy steak and it’s raining, cold, or you’re out of charcoal or gas? Or maybe you don’t even own a grill.
This is when the air fryer really comes in handy. We love transforming conventional ways of cooking into recipes so easy that even kids can do it. And with minimal mess to clean up – it doesn’t get any better! Like these easy air fried butternut squash fries.
More air fryer steak recipes…
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
Air Fryer Flank Steak Ingredients
- seasonings – chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika
- flank steak
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Flank Steak in the Air Fryer
Set the flank steak out on the counter about 30 minutes before cooking, to allow it to come to room temperature. Don’t skip this step – it’s important for the meat to relax and gives you a more tender steak.
Add the dry rub seasoning ingredients to a small bowl and mix together.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
Pat the steak with paper towels until it is dry. Then sprinkle the seasonings on both sides and rub it into the meat until it’s incorporated.
Spray the air fryer basket with a spritz of oil and place the steak in the basket.
Unsure which oil to use? Check out our handy guide to the Best Oil for Air Fryers.
Cook at 380 degrees F until the steak reaches your desired temperature. We’ve included preferences and cooking times below.
Once it’s ready, remove the flank steak and cover it with foil. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
The Best Temperature to Serve Steak
Even if you’re normally not a fan of a rarer steak temp, when making flank steak it makes all of the difference.
Flank steak is best when it is cooked rare, medium-rare, or medium. This lean cut can be chewier than other steak cuts, especially if overcooked.
When it’s cooked longer the steak becomes drier and tougher, which is why most people think they don’t like this cut of beef. But if cooked correctly it’s very tender.
Don’t forget that the steak will continue cooking while it’s resting.
Rare Flank Steak (120–130°F)– air fry for 8 minutes
Medium Flank Steak (135–145°F) – air fry for 10 minutes
Well Done Flank Steak (155°F and up) – air fry for 12 minutes (we don’t recommend going this far).
Use a meat thermometer to test the temperature before transferring the steak to a plate to rest.
Tips for Cooking Tender Flank Steak
- As mentioned, cook between rare and medium for the most tender and best tasting steak.
- When cutting, be sure to slice against the grain.
- Don’t open the air fryer while cooking. There’s no need to flip the steak and opening the lid just lets the heat out and may result in uneven cooking.
- Cooking at a high temperature for a short amount of time keeps the steak tender.
- Marinades help, especially if you want your steak medium well or well, because the acidity in the marinade helps to tenderize the meat.
- If you use a liquid marinade instead of a dry rub, we recommend scoring the top of the steak to allow the marinade to seep into the meat.
What’s the difference between flank steak and skirt steak?
While they are the same shape and the names are sometimes used interchangeably, these are two different cuts of meat.
Flank steak comes from the abdominal areas behind the chest, whereas skirt steak comes from the diaphragm muscles.
You can substitute the cuts, but flank steak is usually a more budget friendly option. Flank steak is also called London Broil in some areas.
Get the low down on our 12 must-have accessories for air fryer cooking.
Can You Cook Frozen Flank Steak in the Air Fryer?
We haven’t tried this recipe with frozen steak and can’t say for sure. You will need to cook the steak for a longer time, which means it may not be as tender.
If you decide to give it a try please come back and let us know how it turned out.
Storing and Reheating
Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the sliced steak back in the air fryer for just a minute or two.
Serving Suggestions
Since the steak has to rest for a few minutes, you can use the air fryer again to make your side dish. All of these are super easy and will be ready by the time you need to slice the steak.
I recommend trying tater tots, kale chips, or diced potatoes. Or make one of these summer salad recipes for a healthier side dish.
Ways to Serve Flank Steak
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Air Fryer Flank Steak {6 Ingredients}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 16 -18 ounce flank steak
Instructions
- Remove steak from the refrigerator and allow it to rest on the counter until it comes to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
- Combine all of the seasonings in a small bowl and set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Using a paper towel, pat the meat until it’s dry. Sprinkle the seasonings onto both sides of the meat and rub it into the meat.
- Lightly spritz the air fryer basket with oil then place the steak in the basket. Cook at 380 degrees F for your preferred doneness (see times in Notes below). Use a meat thermometer to verify temperature.
- Remove steak from air fryer and place on a plate. Cover steak with foil and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting. After the resting period, slice the steak by cutting against the grain and serve.
Notes
- Cooking Guide:
- Rare – 8 minutes, 120-130 degrees F
- Medium – 10 minutes, 135-145 degrees F
- Well Done – 12 minutes, 155 degrees F and up
- We recommend cooking flank steak to medium rare to medium doneness. Overcooking the meat may make it tough & chewy.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.