FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• I Tried To Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon — Here’s What Happened
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How To Cook Filet Mignon In The Air Fryer
• Cook Time Chart
• My Recipe Tips
• Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Fast & Super Tender) Recipe card
• Serving Ideas
• More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

I Tried To Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon — Here’s What Happened

Filet mignon has always been my favorite cut of steak. My go-to cooking method has always been my stovetop-to-oven filet mignon recipe , but recently I tried cooking filet mignon in the air fryer, curious about what would happen. Let’s just say… I. Am. Sold.

It was one of the most tender steaks I’ve made (which is a lot of steaks 😉), it only took 10-15 minutes, and the best part is it was completely hands off. Let me show you how to a cook a perfect air fryer filet mignon — here’s why I think you’ll be convinced, too:

• Melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy steak – If you’ve ever tried my air fryer sirloin steak and air fryer lobster tail , you know the air fryer is the real MVP of juicy, tender cooking. I was a little nervous to risk it with a filet, but I’m so glad I went for it because it was just perfect . I’d say this method is even more tender than the stovetop, grill, or oven!
• Completely hands off – No initial searing, no flipping, no babysitting of any kind. While I don’t get the same crust on air fryer filet mignon that I get from pan searing filet , the tenderness and ease more than make up for it.
• Steakhouse experience at home – It may be an expensive cut, but still much more reasonable than eating out. I do like restaurants for other types of meals, but once you realize how easy it is to cook steak at home (and my recipe here is even easier than most), it’s hard to justify the restaurant prices.

If you’re looking for an easy, foolproof way to enjoy this tender cut for date night or another special dinner, it doesn’t get any better than this air fryer filet mignon recipe. Make it with me — and don’t miss my top tips for restaurant-worthy results!

“I was skeptical of the method. Although I love my air fryer, I just can’t imagine that it would be tender. But, OMG! It is fantastic!! Tender, perfectly browned, absolutely delicious! This is a keeper for sure!”

-Krista

More Reviews

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer filet mignon recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Filet Mignon Steaks – These can be labeled Prime, Choice, or Select, in descending order of quality, so choose the best you can afford. You can also slice a beef tenderloin yourself frt his recipe. The main thing to know is that the thickness of your steaks will impact the cook time. Mine were 8 ounces each and about 1.5 inches thick, so the cook times are based on that.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – The only seasonings you really need! This cut of steak is so perfect that simple seasoning is best. For salt, my rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon per pound of meat. If you use kosher salt instead of sea salt, you may need an extra 1/4 teaspoon per pound.
• Compound Butter – A.k.a. Garlic herb butter! You don’t have to have it on your air fryer filet mignon, but I highly recommend it. It only takes a few minutes to make with unsalted butter, fresh herbs, garlic, and salt. It gives the steak incredible flavor along with a restaurant feel.

Other Seasoning Ideas:

I usually keep it simple with salt and pepper, but my Montreal steak seasoning is great for an upgrade. You can also add individual spices, like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes.

Some people brush their steak with olive oil before air frying, but I don’t find it necessary.

How To Cook Filet Mignon In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the garlic herb butter. In a small bowl, make my compound butter here . Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. Prep and season. Preheat your air fryer while you prep. (I have and love this one because it’s pretty compact with a roomy basket!) Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper generously on both sides of your steaks.
3. Air fry. Place the filet mignon steaks in the air fryer basket, and air fry until they reach your desired doneness. (See my cook times below!)
4. Rest. Top your air fried filet mignon with a tablespoon of garlic butter each — it will start to melt. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain. (You can cover with foil while resting to keep warm, if you like.)

Cook Time Chart

Air fryer filet mignon cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your steaks and the air fryer temperature. I always get 1.5-inch-thick steaks, so my time chart for different doneness levels is based on this thickness. For 1-inch steaks, subtract 2 minutes from these times!

For perfect filet every time, I recommend a probe thermometer like this . I set to the temperature I want, insert before cooking, and it beeps when the steaks are ready. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular instant-read thermometer and check on it.

*Note: These temperatures are when you’d stop cooking — the final steak temperature will rise by another 5 degrees F while resting.

My Recipe Tips

• Bring your steaks to room temperature before cooking. Take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes in advance. I’ve skipped this step when I forgot, but the end result is so much better if you take the time.
• Preheating is important here. I actually skip this for some air fryer recipes , but it makes a big difference for air fryer filet mignon. Adding it to an already hot basket lets it sear a bit right away, so it’s key to get that golden crust. You won’t get a beautiful sear as dark as using the stovetop or grilling filet mignon , but I still preheat before I air fry.
• Don’t crowd the basket. Make sure there’s space between the pieces, or they won’t cook evenly. Cook in batches if you need to!
• Do you have to flip? No, I don’t find it necessary. You can if you want to, but my air fryer filet mignon always comes out perfect even without this step.
• Remember to let the steak rest. I know it’s tempting to cut into the steak right away, but let it rest for 5 minutes, so the juices have time to redistribute into the steak — instead of spilling out all over your plate.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 8-oz Filet mignon steaks ▢
• 2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1/2 recipe Compound Butter ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Remove your filet mignon from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. (This will ensure even cooking.)
2. Make compound butter according to the instructions here. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
4. Trim any connective tissue around the edges of the steaks. Pat dry with paper towels. Season the filets liberally with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
5. Arrange the filet mignon steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, so the pieces are not touching or only minimally touching (cook in batches if needed; don’t crowd the basket). Air fry until the filets reach your desired doneness (use a probe thermometer for best results). For 1.5-inch thick steaks, that’s about 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium well, or 14-16 minutes for well done. Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature – 120 degrees F (52 degrees C) for rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium rare, 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium, 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) for medium well, or 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for well done. The temperature will rise by another 5 degrees F while resting (see next step).
6. Remove the steaks from the air and transfer to a plate. Top each with 1 tablespoon (14g) of compound butter.
7. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 8-oz filet mignon with 1 tablespoon of compound butter

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get tender, juicy steaks with a crust on the outside.
• Time chart: See my cook time chart above for an easier-to-read version of the ideal cook times and temperatures.
• Store: Filet mignon is such a tender and expensive cut of meat that it’s really best to eat it fresh as much as possible. But if you need to keep leftovers, they’ll last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: I highly recommend reheating your filet mignon in the air fryer again. If it’s left whole, I find that popping it in there for just a minute gets it warm and keeps its pink center intact — pretty amazing!
• Freeze: If possible, freeze filet mignon raw, before air frying (or cooking in any other way). You can freeze cooked steaks for 3-4 months if you have to, but they won’t be as tender after thawing and reheating, so will be best used in soups or in a salad with dressing.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Serving Ideas

My favorite side for this air fryer filet mignon is mashed cauliflower (you’ll be surprised how much it tastes like potatoes), or roasted broccoli and cauliflower , which is pictured above.

It also goes well with other steakhouse sides, like roasted green beans , sauteed mushrooms , or creamed spinach .

To make your whole meal in the air fryer, try my air fried brussels sprouts !

More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

If you like this recipe, check out the other juicy dinners I make in my air fryer:

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Fast & Super Tender)

My air fryer filet mignon with garlic herb butter is melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy! This method with time chart is perfect every time.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-filet-mignon/

Ingredients

• 4 8-oz Filet mignon steaks
• 2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 recipe Compound Butter

Instructions

1. Remove your filet mignon from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. (This will ensure even cooking.)
2. Make compound butter according to the instructions here. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
4. Trim any connective tissue around the edges of the steaks. Pat dry with paper towels. Season the filets liberally with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
5. Arrange the filet mignon steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, so the pieces are not touching or only minimally touching (cook in batches if needed; don’t crowd the basket). Air fry until the filets reach your desired doneness (use a probe thermometer for best results). For 1.5-inch thick steaks, that’s about 10-12 minutes for rare, 11-13 minutes for medium rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, 13-15 minutes for medium well, or 14-16 minutes for well done. Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature - 120 degrees F (52 degrees C) for rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium rare, 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for medium, 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) for medium well, or 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for well done. The temperature will rise by another 5 degrees F while resting (see next step).
6. Remove the steaks from the air and transfer to a plate. Top each with 1 tablespoon (14g) of compound butter.
7. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 8-oz filet mignon with 1 tablespoon of compound butter

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get tender, juicy steaks with a crust on the outside.
• Time chart: See my cook time chart above for an easier-to-read version of the ideal cook times and temperatures.
• Store: Filet mignon is such a tender and expensive cut of meat that it’s really best to eat it fresh as much as possible. But if you need to keep leftovers, they’ll last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: I highly recommend reheating your filet mignon in the air fryer again. If it’s left whole, I find that popping it in there for just a minute gets it warm and keeps its pink center intact – pretty amazing!
• Freeze: If possible, freeze filet mignon raw, before air frying (or cooking in any other way). You can freeze cooked steaks for 3-4 months if you have to, but they won’t be as tender after thawing and reheating, so will be best used in soups or in a salad with dressing.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)