Did you know you can cook frozen steak in the air fryer?

The convection-style cooking keeps the steak tender and juicy without the inconvenience of waiting for it to defrost!

Did you just remember that you neglected to grab your steak out of the freezer to defrost before dinner?

No problem! Just apply this simple procedure for cooking frozen steak in the air fryer and you’ll be eating delicious, juicy ribeye in approximately 30 minutes.

There’s no thawing necessary, and you can even season the meat while it’s still frozen. Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, you’ll receive mouth-watering steak every time. And it’s so simple!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

My super-easy way for cooking frozen steak in the air fryer
The finest cut of steak to use in this recipe (and instructions for freezing a fresh steak)
How long to cook frozen ribeye in the air fryer
Tips & strategies for the best outcomes with this recipe
What to offer with air fryer frozen steak

Whether you’re planning an unplanned party or simply needing some substantial red meat, this dish is a lifesaver. You can go from freezer to table in approximately half an hour. Best of all, the ribeye tastes so wonderful, no one would ever believe it was cooked from frozen!

Frozen ribeye steak with other ingredients in bowls.

How to Make Frozen Steak in the Air Fryer

STEP ONE: Brush or spray the frozen steak with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, rosemary, and garlic powder.

STEP TWO: Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking oil using an EVO Oil Mister, then place the steak inside.

STEP THREE: Air fry at 400 degrees F for 18-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your preferred level of doneness.

STEP FOUR: Allow the steak to rest in the warm air fryer for 3-5 minutes, then use a thermometer to confirm that the internal temperature has reached your desired temperature.

STEP FIVE: Serve with a pat of butter.

What Kind of Frozen Steak Should You Use in the Air Fryer?

For this recipe, I used a 1-pound ribeye steak that was about 1-inch thick. Either boneless or bone-in works great.

But this recipe would be wonderful for other cuts of steak as well! Filet mignon, New York strip, or T-bone steaks all freeze well and will cook wonderfully in the air fryer. Just make careful to observe the cooking time dependent on how thick they are.

If you purchase your steak fresh and wish to freeze it, wrap it firmly and then put it in a freezer-safe bag to retain the quality. You might also vacuum-seal the meat for the best results. While frozen steak is safe forever, it will have the finest flavour and texture if you consume it within 6 months.

How Long to Cook Frozen Ribeye Steak in the Air Fryer

This is going to depend on how you like your steak cooked. Here are some quick rules of thumb for cooking frozen ribeye in the air fryer to your desired level of doneness:

Rare (125-130 degrees F): 8-10 minutes per side
Medium (140-150 degrees F): 11-12 minutes per side
Well (160 degrees F or higher): 12-15 minutes per side

I always recommend using an Instant Read Thermometer for the most precise cooking. Just make sure to let the steak rest in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before checking as the internal temperature may continue rising during that time.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Frozen Steak

Only take the steak out of the freezer when you’re ready to season and cook, not before. If you get the steak out early and it starts to thaw, it could alter your cooking times.
Make sure to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time for the most even results.

Let the steak rest in the air fryer for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the meat fibers to relax and reabsorb their juices while the residual heat of the air fryer will prevent your steak from getting cold before you serve.

Sliced cook ribeye steak on plate with a fork in a bite

What to Serve with Air Fryer Frozen Steak

Will the Air Fryer Dry Out Frozen Steak?

Nope! That’s the brilliance of this recipe. While attempting to bake or grill a steak from frozen might offer varied results, the air fryer is a practically fool-proof solution to obtain juicy, tender ribeye right out of the freezer.

It’s so simple and works out so nicely, you may start utilising this approach on a weekly basis!

Closeup of cooked frozen steak in air fryer basket

How to Reheat Steak in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
Carefully place the leftover steak in the air fryer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until warmed thoroughly.
Enjoy!

Other Steak Recipes to Try

Cooked air fryer steak on a plate with half cut into slices

Other Air Fryer Steak Recipes You’ll Love

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Additional Time
30 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound ribeye steak (bone-in or boneless), 1-inch thick

½ tablespoon olive oil (or spray)
1 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried rosemary, or to taste

½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Butter, for serving

Instructions

1. Brush (or spray) the frozen steak with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle the steak with salt, pepper, rosemary, and garlic powder.

2. Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then place the steak inside. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 18-30 minutes (depending on thickness), flipping once halfway until it is done to your liking.*

3. Allow the steak to rest in the warm air fryer for 3-5 minutes, then use a thermometer to check the internal temperature to check that it is at your desired temp, then serve it with a pat of butter.