Cooking steak and vegetables together in an air fryer is definitely possible, but it requires a bit of planning to ensure both come out cooked perfectly. The key factors to consider are the different cook times required for steak vs. vegetables, food placement in the air fryer basket, and adjusting cook times and temperatures as needed.
The Benefits of Cooking Steak and Veggies Together
There are a few advantages to cooking steak and vegetables simultaneously in an air fryer:
- Saves time – You don’t have to cook each component separately.
- Uses less energy – You’re only heating up the air fryer once rather than twice.
- Even cooking – The hot air circulates around all the food for fast, even results.
- Adds flavor – Meat juices will flavor the vegetables and vice versa.
As long as you follow a few guidelines, you can absolutely achieve perfect results cooking steak and veggies together. It just requires a little strategic planning.
Choosing the Right Cuts of Steak
You’ll want to select thinner, tender cuts of steak for the air fryer rather than thick steaks. This allows the steak to cook through evenly in the short air fryer cook time. Good options include:
- Sirloin steak
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Hanger steak
- Flat iron steak
Thicker ribeye, T-bone, porterhouse or filet mignon steaks may not cook through properly unless you cut them into smaller pieces before air frying. Marinating the steak for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking can help tenderize the meat as well.
Choosing the Right Vegetables
For vegetables, you’ll want to select varieties that will cook in roughly the same amount of time as steak to optimize efficiency. Some great options include:
- Asparagus – trim ends first
- Bell peppers – slice into pieces
- Broccoli – cut into florets
- Brussels sprouts – trim ends
- Carrots – peel and slice
- Cauliflower – cut into florets
- Green beans – trim ends
- Mushrooms – slice if large
- Red onion – peel and slice into wedges
- Zucchini – slice into 1/2-inch rounds
For all vegetables, cut larger pieces into bite-sized portions before air frying. This allows them to cook quickly and evenly. You can also toss vegetables lightly in oil or oil spray before air frying for optimal crisping.
How to Cook Steak and Vegetables in an Air Fryer
Here are some step-by-step instructions for cooking steak and vegetables together in an air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Lightly oil or spray air fryer basket.
- Season steak all over with salt and pepper or desired seasonings.
- In a large bowl, toss prepared vegetables with a little oil, salt and pepper.
- Place vegetables in bottom of air fryer basket, spreading into a single layer. Place steak on top.
- Cook for 5 minutes at 400°F. Check steak and vegetables and rearrange if needed. Cook 5 additional minutes.
- Flip steak and check doneness. Continue cooking in 2-3 minute intervals until steak reaches desired doneness and veggies are tender.
- Remove basket and let steak rest 3-5 minutes before slicing and serving with vegetables.
Keep in mind that the timing may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and the amount of food in the air fryer. Get to know your air fryer’s time and temperature nuances for best results.
Tips for Cooking Steak and Vegetables Together
Here are some helpful tips to ensure success when cooking steak and veggies simultaneously:
- Place vegetables in air fryer basket first, then steak on top to prevent steak juices from dripping onto veggies.
- Don’t overfill air fryer basket – leave space for air circulation.
- Use tongs or spatula to flip and rearrange food midway through cooking.
- Brush or spray steak lightly with oil so it browns evenly.
- Check food and rotate air fryer basket periodically for even cooking.
- Cut pieces smaller if needed to reduce cook times.
- Add quick-cooking veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes only during last 2-3 minutes.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when cooking steak and vegetables in an air fryer:
- Overcrowding – Leave space between pieces.
- Not preheating – Preheating is crucial for crisping and browning.
- Overloading basket – Don’t fill past air fryer’s max fill line.
- Not flipping food – Flip halfway for even cooking.
- Breading steak – Breading prevents browning and inhibits cooking.
- Not using timer – Air fryers cook very quickly, so set a timer.
- Uneven cuts – Cut all vegetables and meat to similar size.
- Forgetting to shake – Occasionally shake basket for even browning.
Avoiding these common pitfalls will set you up for the best results when cooking steak and veggies in your air fryer.
Troubleshooting Cooking Issues
If you run into any problems when cooking steak and vegetables together in the air fryer, here are some tips for troubleshooting:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Steak is undercooked | Cut steak thinner, increase cook time in 2-3 minute intervals, or reduce amount of food in basket |
| Steak is overcooked | Cut steak thinner, reduce cook time, or monitor temperature with a meat thermometer |
| Vegetables are undercooked | Cut vegetables smaller, spray with oil, or increase cook time by 2-3 minutes |
| Vegetables are overcooked | Cut vegetables larger or reduce cook time |
| Exterior is browned but interior is undercooked | Reduce amount of food in basket, cut food smaller, or increase cook time |
| Food is not crispy | Ensure food is dry before cooking, spray with oil, and preheat air fryer properly |
Making small adjustments to food prep, cook times and basket loading can help resolve any issues with undercooked or overcooked results.
Air Fryer Steak and Vegetable Recipe
Here is a recipe for a full steak dinner with vegetables made entirely in the air fryer:
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank, skirt or sirloin steak, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 lb potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 small onion, sliced into wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons steak seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in bottom of air fryer basket.
- In a bowl, toss green beans, cherry tomatoes and onion with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Place vegetables in a single layer on top of potatoes.
- Rub steak all over with steak seasoning and place on top of vegetables.
- Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Rearrange steak and vegetables, flipping steak. Cook 5 more minutes.
- Flip steak again and check doneness, cooking in 2-3 minute intervals until steak reaches desired doneness.
- Remove basket and let steak rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve steak over vegetables in air fryer basket.
This complete meal is fast, healthy and easy to make thanks to the air fryer. Feel free to sub in your favorite veggies too.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best cut of steak to cook in an air fryer?
The best cuts of steak for air frying are thinner, more tender cuts like sirloin, skirt, flank, hanger or flat iron. Thick cuts won’t cook through properly. Pound steaks to 1/2 inch thickness before cooking.
2. How long does it take to cook steak in an air fryer?
Steak cooks fast in an air fryer, usually within 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then check every 2-3 minutes until it reaches desired doneness.
3. What temperature should I cook steak at in an air fryer?
400°F is the best temperature for air frying steak. This high heat helps develop a nice sear while cooking the interior evenly. Some recipes call for starting at a higher temp then reducing heat.
4. Should you flip steak in an air fryer?
Yes, always flip steak at least once midway through cooking. This helps it cook evenly and develop browning and sear marks on both sides.
5. How do I know when steak is done in an air fryer?
Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate doneness readings. Rare steak is 120-125°F, medium-rare is 130-135°F, and well-done is 160°F and above.
6. What mistakes should be avoided when cooking steak in an air fryer?
Avoid overcrowding, not preheating properly, cooking too long, and pressing down on steak, which can lead to uneven cooking. Brushing with oil instead of breading helps it brown best.
7. What vegetables work best cooked with steak in an air fryer?
Good options include asparagus, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, mushrooms, onions, Brussels sprouts, etc. Cut all vegetables to similar sized pieces.
8. How can you avoid undercooking vegetables when cooking with steak?
Place veggies in basket first, spray with oil, cut smaller pieces, cook steak on top, and increase time in 2-3 minute intervals until veggies are tender when pierced.
9. Is it better to cook steak and vegetables in batches?
Cooking together saves time and adds flavor, but batches ensures more even cooking. Do batches if needed for thicker steaks or full air fryer loads.
10. Should steak rest after cooking in an air fryer?
Yes, letting steak rest 3-5 minutes after air frying allows juices to redistribute for a more tender, juicy result when sliced and served.
Conclusion
Cooking steak and vegetables together in your air fryer may require some trial and error to master, but is absolutely doable with the right techniques. Cut food to uniform sizes, brush with oil, preheat properly, don’t overfill the basket, and adjust cook times as needed for perfect results. In no time, you’ll be able to whip up quick, healthy and delicious full meals from your air fryer.
