FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Air Fryer Sirloin Steak Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Steak In The Air Fryer
• Cooking Time Chart
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• Air Fryer Sirloin Steak (Perfect Every Time) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

After I made air fryer filet mignon , I was so pleased with the results that I had to try other cuts. I opted for air fryer sirloin steak this time, but this method actually works with any thick cut! Cooking steak in the air fryer is easier and more foolproof than other methods. And while the outside is pretty good, what really makes it stand out is how incredibly tender and juicy it is on the inside . It has become one of my favorite air fryer recipes . Make it with me for one of the juiciest steaks you’ve ever had!

Why You Need My Air Fryer Sirloin Steak Recipe

• Super tender, juicy steak – Cooking your steak in the air fryer gets you a more tender result than the stove or oven, thanks to the circulating hot air. No, you don’t get the same golden crust, but the inside more juicy than other methods!
• Foolproof, hands-off cooking – Unlike pan seared or grilled steak , my air fryer method is totally hands-off, and it’s harder to overcook or dry out. I even made a time chart to help you get the doneness you like.
• Super fast, easy dinner – With just a few minutes of prep, you can be enjoying an air fryer steak dinner in under 20 minutes. You do have to let it come to room temp before cooking, but I just do other things around the house or prep my side dish while I wait.

Ingredients & Substitutions

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

• Steaks – I used top sirloin, but any good cut — porterhouse (T-bone), New York strip , filet mignon, or ribeye — will make a great air fried steak. Just make sure it’s at least 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I keep it simple, but for even more flavor, omit both and use 1 tablespoon of my Montreal steak seasoning per pound.
• Compound Butter – Totally optional, for topping. My go-to mix has dill and parsley. Feel free to swap in rosemary, thyme, or chives!

How To Cook Steak 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. Bring the steaks to room temperature. Remove them from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking — this will help them cook more evenly.
2. Make the garlic herb butter. Just use my compound butter recipe , and refrigerate until ready to serve. Feel free to skip this step if you want to just use plain butter.
3. Season liberally. Right before cooking, pat the steaks dry with paper towels, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer.

1. Cook sirloin steak in the air fryer. Arrange the pieces in the basket (I have this air fryer and love the large basket). Give them enough space, so they don’t touch each other. Air fry steak until it reaches your desired doneness — see my time chart below!

1. Top with butter and rest. Top your air fryer sirloin steak with compound butter. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.

Cooking Time Chart

How long to cook steak in the air fryer will depend on how thick your steak is and how done you like it. I tested with 1.5-inch-thick steaks and made the time chart below to help you get the doneness you like. If your steaks are 1 inch thick , they’ll be done about 2 minutes faster.

The time can also vary a little depending on your air fryer, so if you have a probe thermometer ( I use this one ), insert it before air frying for the most perfect result. You can check with a regular meat thermometer as well, but a probe is more hands-off and doesn’t require opening the air fryer.

*Note: These times and temperatures are when to stop cooking your air fryer steak. The internal temperature will rise another 5 degrees while it rests.

My Recipe Tips

• Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer. For some recipes it’s not a huge difference, but it matters a lot for steak! Adding the beef to the hot grate lets it sear on the outside right away. It’s not the same browning you get from a skillet or grill, but miles better than not preheating.
• For a better sear, leave the steaks uncovered in the fridge overnight. This is definitely not required and I usually don’t, but when I tried this, I did get a better crust.
• Season generously. I recommend 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of pepper per pound of beef.
• Do you need any oil? Nope! At least I didn’t find it necessary. But if you prefer, you can brush a thin layer of olive oil over the steaks before seasoning.
• Avoid crowding the air fryer basket. If your steaks don’t fit without touching each other, cook them in batches. Otherwise, they won’t cook evenly.
• Rest the steaks on a plate or cutting board, not the air fryer. I placed them back in the basket for some of my pictures, but you do want to remove them right away. They can overcook if you leave them in the hot basket.

Serving Ideas

I recently polled my Facebook page about whether you prefer air fryer meals paired with other air fried dishes or with something cooked another way, and the results were split! I myself do it both ways, so I have both options for side dishes to serve with your air fryer steak:

• Air Fryer Vegetables – Prep your veggies while you’ve got the sirloin steak in the air fryer, then cook them while the steak rests. Try my air fryer brussels sprouts or air fryer asparagus .
• Roasted Veggies – Start roasting them while you wait for the steak to come to room temp. I made roasted butternut squash and roasted green beans for my dinner shown above. You can also try roasted broccolini .
• Potatoes – Cook my air fryer baked potatoes or air fried sweet potatoes first, then air fry steak. While the steak rests, air fry the potatoes for 1-2 more minutes to crisp up and heat.
• Salad – A steak dinner always pairs well with classic wedge salad .
• Pairings – Feeling fancy? Pair the steak with eggs for breakfast, or with air fryer lobster tail or crab legs for a surf and turf meal .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 8-oz Top sirloin steaks (at least 1 inch thick, preferably 1.5 inches; other high-quality steaks with similar thickness will also work, such as ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon) ▢
• 2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1/2 recipe Compound butter (optional) ▢

Instructions

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

1. Remove your steak from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. (This will ensure even cooking.)
2. Meanwhile, make compound butter here , if you want to include it. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) .
4. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides liberally with sea salt and black pepper.
5. Arrange the 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 steaks 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 your 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. Transfer the steaks to a plate and top each with 1 tablespoon (14g) of compound butter. Let them 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 sirloin steak

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

• Air frying tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you cook steaks that are perfectly seasoned, evenly cooked, and juicy every time!
• Getting the perfect doneness: I have a cooking time chart above to get exactly the doneness you like.
• Store: Leftover steak (if you manage to have any!) keeps in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I love tossing it into a steak salad .
• Reheat: Pop the steak in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. For reheating, I don’t preheat it and set it to 1-2 minutes.
• Freeze: Steaks freeze best raw, but you can freeze cooked leftovers for 3-4 months.
• Note on nutrition info: The optional compound butter is not included.

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 Sirloin Steak

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 Sirloin Steak (Perfect Every Time)

Air fryer sirloin steak is one of the fastest, easiest ways to cook it to tender, juicy perfection! Just use my time and temperature chart.

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-steak/

Ingredients

• 4 8-oz Top sirloin steaks (at least 1 inch thick, preferably 1.5 inches; other high-quality steaks with similar thickness will also work, such as ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon)
• 2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 recipe Compound butter (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove your steak from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. (This will ensure even cooking.)
2. Meanwhile, make compound butter here , if you want to include it. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) .
4. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides liberally with sea salt and black pepper.
5. Arrange the 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 steaks 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 your 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. Transfer the steaks to a plate and top each with 1 tablespoon (14g) of compound butter. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 1 8-oz sirloin steak

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

• Air frying tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you cook steaks that are perfectly seasoned, evenly cooked, and juicy every time!
• Getting the perfect doneness: I have a cooking time chart above to get exactly the doneness you like.
• Store: Leftover steak (if you manage to have any!) keeps in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I love tossing it into a steak salad .
• Reheat: Pop the steak in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. For reheating, I don’t preheat it and set it to 1-2 minutes.
• Freeze: Steaks freeze best raw, but you can freeze cooked leftovers for 3-4 months.
• Note on nutrition info: The optional compound butter is not included.

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. :)