You Should Air Fry Filet Mignon for This Length of Time

Because the air fryer moves so fast, despite what we’ve discovered, there aren’t many foods you can’t cook in an air fryer. The flexibility of this device makes everything from bacon-wrapped meatloaf to fried chicken easy and effective. Given its lack of restrictions, a frequently asked question (and topic of discussion) is whether more expensive meats can be cooked in an air fryer.

While it is possible to cook a steak in an air fryer, the saying “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” still resonates in the mind. But from my experience with air-frying steak — and eating it in particular — I have no choice but to highly recommend it. More expensive cuts, such as filet mignon, are not only luscious delicious in the air fryer, but they also cook quickly with very little mess. Your air fryer will help you achieve the perfect filet mignon in about 12 minutes.

My preferred cut of steak is the ribeye, but the filet mignon is leaner. Less fat usually means less cooking time, less natural flavor (which calls for finishing touches like homemade compound butter), and less forgiving meat when overcooked. Because of this, you should monitor your steak closely while cooking, although an air fryer is still an ideal appliance. A dinner perfect for a fine dining establishment can be prepared in your own kitchen thanks to a powerful fan that quickly and evenly distributes hot air throughout the cooking room.

The recommended air fry time for filet mignon is approximately 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness. Set your air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) to start. Season the filet mignon with salt, pepper and any other preferred herbs or spices. Make sure there is room between each piece of seasoned steak in the air fryer basket so that there is enough air circulation. When the filet mignon is done to your liking, after cooking the first side for four to five minutes, grill the other side for another four to five minutes.

Read more: Your Guide To The Different Cuts Of Steak

Crank Up The Air Fry Heat For Perfect Steak

To ensure consistent cooking in your 1 ½ inch steaks, allow them to come to room temperature before preparing the filet mignon in the air fryer. To make searing easier, pat them dry, season with salt, pepper, or your own homemade steak seasoning, then set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grill the chunky beef for 6 minutes on the first side of the basket, placing the steaks inside and allowing air to circulate around them. To achieve a good medium-rare result, carefully turn each steak with tongs and cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

A smart food thermometer or a digital meat thermometer with a long heat-resistant cable will make this process much easier.Because the probe stays in the air fryer and shows the temperature of the steak in real time. Before slicing and serving, remove the filets from the air fryer and let your steak rest for at least five minutes. Meanwhile, watch the gorgeous crust cooked on the outside by the air fryer fan.

Creating the perfect air fryer filet mignon is easy, even for the less skilled home cook. This relatively passive method of cooking a steak gives you more time to focus on what really matters. The most decisive? Our selection of 50 great steak side dishes to pair with your air-fried filet.

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