An air fryer offers a convenient and healthier alternative to preparing dishes that traditionally involve frying or grilling using generous portions of oil or butter. 

Moreover, air fryers prove that convenience and health don’t have to come at the expense of texture or taste. A crunchy fillet or a steak with a beautiful crust can be achieved just as well using an air fryer.  

When it comes to reheating food, air fryers perform no less. In this article, we will look at how to reheat steak in an air fryer to get meat evenly warmed through and retain its juiciness.  

Can You Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer?

Quick answer: Absolutely!

An air fryer uses hot air to cook all types of food, from crispy fries and vegetables to chicken wings, meat cutlets, and even desserts. And in case you were wondering, this marvel can even cook steak to your desired level of doneness and deliver a perfect sear every time. Just make sure you use the best cuts of meat for exceptional results! 

To reheat steak, you only need to turn down the heat a couple of notches and lower the duration of heating. 

Let’s look at some key benefits of using an air fryer to reheat steak.

Benefits

The greatest advantage of an air fryer is its short preheating time. Unlike an oven that takes up to 15 minutes to reach a desired temperature, the air fryer heats up to 400°F within 3-5 minutes. 

When reheating steak, you must always watch closely to prevent it from drying out. To this end, an air fryer gives you much better control over the reheating process than an oven. 

An air fryer circulates hot air at high speeds through a meshed basket, uniformly heating the steak and forming a nice crust on the outside. In a sense, this hot air envelops food and produces the effect of frying in hot oil, minus the calories. It’s a win-win on both counts.

Cleanup is much easier with an air fryer — wipe off any leftover seasoning or fat inside the appliance, and place the basket insert in a dishwasher. You can skip having to handwash a greasy pan or baking sheet!

An air fryer does its job discreetly, sitting quietly on the countertop, without any of the splatter from a frying pan or the need for constant monitoring.

How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer

With enough reasons to break out that air fryer to cook or reheat steak, it is essential to learn to do it right. Let’s look at the main steps to follow for reheating success. 

Allow the steak to come to room temperature

This step is crucial to ensure the steak is quickly and uniformly heated. It also keeps the meat from drying out. Place the refrigerated steak for 20-30 minutes at ambient temperature. 

Preheat the air fryer 

For best results, you want to preheat the air fryer to 350°F. This takes anywhere between two to five minutes depending on the capacity of the air fryer. For most air fryers, three minutes is sufficient.  

Brush with a little olive oil (optional)

Doing this will help the steak to get crisp on the outside through a browning process known as the Maillard reaction. This chemical reaction is what’s responsible for that perfect sear on a grilled steak or the brown crust on a loaf of bread.

Place the steak in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer

It is important that you not crowd the basket insert of the air fryer to ensure even heating of the steak and well-browned edges. If your steak is too large to fit into the basket, try slicing it into smaller pieces. If it’s still too crowded, air-fry the pieces individually for the best results.  

Set the frying time 

This depends on the thickness and size of the steak. A steak that’s 1-1.5 inches thick needs only 3-5 minutes to get warmed through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F recommended by the USDA.

Rest the reheated steak 

Whether cooked or reheated, make sure to rest your meat for 10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the moisture to redistribute inside the meat and prevents it from turning chewy.

How Long to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer?

For most steaks, anywhere between 3-5 minutes is sufficient in ‘Fry’ mode. You can flip the steak halfway through the reheating, although this isn’t necessary if you are using a basket insert. 

Some air fryers also offer a ‘Bake’ or ‘Warm’ mode in addition. You will need to reheat the steak for around 10 minutes if you choose this setting since it offers gentler heating at 250°F. 

Ways to Enjoy Leftover Steak

Leftover steak opens up a plethora of possibilities for your next meal. You can slice and serve leftover steak as is or try out one of our favorite recipes for quick and easy weeknight meals. 

Philly Cheesesteak

If you’re in the mood for an indulgent sandwich, look no further than a Philly cheesesteak stuffed with thinly sliced ribeye steak, caramelized onions, and melted provolone cheese. 

Beef fried rice

Fried rice is the ideal one-pot meal that uses up your veggie and protein leftovers and comes together fairly quickly. Dice the reheated steak into small pieces and add it to the stir-fry just before you take it off the heat.  

Mongolian beef stir-fry

This dish tastes best with thinly sliced flank steak but you can use any steak of your liking. Once the steak is reheated, avoid overcooking it with the rest of the stir-fry ingredients.  

Steak & creamy fettuccine

Tender strips of steak add a new dimension to tried-and-tested white sauce fettuccine. This could become your favorite go-to weeknight meal. 

Grilled steak salad

For a light yet satiating dinner, we recommend adding leftover steak to your favorite salad. We love combining arugula, tomato, and mozzarella balls (or, blue cheese!) with diced steak for a refreshing and hearty salad. You can even add seasonal fruits to pack a punch.   

Insider’s Insight

Reheating steak in an air fryer is quick and easy and helps maintain that perfect balance of juicy interior and crispy exterior. With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious, evenly heated steak without drying it out. Plus, cleanup is a breeze! Try it next time, and you’ll love the results.