Beef Round Steak Strips in the Power Air Fryer Oven
This Air Fryer Flank Steak is tender and juicy, but best of all it's super easy to make. A 3 ingredient steak marinade brings the extra flavor. Topped with a corn relish, the whole meal cooks in about 20 minutes total and doesn't heat up your entire kitchen!
Why Make Flank Steak in an Air Fryer?
I used to be one of those "I only want grilled steak" people until I tried this flank steak recipe in the air fryer. Truly, I was shocked at how well it was cooked - could it be this?! I thought for sure I'd have to at least sear the meat first, but the air fryer cooks it to perfection. Do you miss out on grill marks? Yes, but it's a small price to pay for a recipe that's so easy.
- This recipe is great for summer, but this air fryer steak method is perfect for winter when you don't want to be outside grilling.
- The flank steak cooks in just 15 minutes for medium, and about 10 minutes for medium rare.
- It's easy to clean up, no scraping the grill or cleaning up splatter in your stove on the oven, just wash your air fryer insert.
- It's a good recipe for those who are intimidated by grilling, but still want to enjoy a nice steak.
Jump to:
- Why Make Flank Steak in an Air Fryer?
- What Air Fryer is Best?
- Ingredients
- How to Air Fry Flank Steak
- Expert Tips for the Perfect Steak
- Sauces and Sides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Flank Steak
What Air Fryer is Best?
I used the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid for this recipe, which I like when cooking for 2-3 people because it's compact and doesn't require an extra appliance. The only downside is you may need to cut the steak in half and cook in two batches as it needs to lay flat.
If you have a larger family, I recommend getting an air fryer basket that would fit your needs, like the Ninja or Philips brand.
It's good to note that different air fryers cook at a range of temperatures. Mine is very small so it cooks faster than some of the larger 5 quart+ ones, like Ninja.
Ingredients
This flank steak marinade has just 3 ingredients that are unique and kitchen staples like olive oil, salt and pepper!
- Flank Steak - Flank steak is a leaner cut of meat that's good for grilling, but can be tough if overcooked or not cut properly. A good marinade helps break down fibers, making the steak more tender. Also cutting against the grain into thinner slices can combat any toughness. It's usually a good price and less expensive than other types of steaks. Skirt steak can be substituted and tends to have more fat.
- Coconut Aminos and White Vinegar - These make up important parts of this basic marinade and are migraine diet options that are soy free. Coconut aminos are made from the sap of a coconut blossom and not an actual coconut. If you're not following a migraine diet, you could substitute soy sauce and your favorite kind of vinegar like balsamic, rice wine, or red wine.
- Fresh Garlic - I recommend using fresh garlic over dried for a better flavor. Because the marinade only has 4 total ingredients, aside from salt and pepper, it needs a bold garlic flavor.
The corn salad is completely optional, but a nice addition for summer months when it's warm!
How to Air Fry Flank Steak
- Start with a marinade, and don't skip this step. This is the first step to tenderizing the flank steak and also infusing a little extra flavor. The longer you can marinate it, up to 24 hours, the better. However, some nights I only had time for about an hour and it still turned out delicious. Flip the steak half way through the marinating time to ensure both sides are coated with the garlic sauce. (Step 1)
- If you want, you can "score" the meat by cutting very thin lines into both sides of the steak in a crosshatch pattern. Sometimes I do this, sometimes I forget, but it does help impart some extra flavor. Remove the steak at least 30 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temperature. (Step 2-3)
- Start by pre-heating the air fryer lid to 400 degrees F. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook it for 5-7 minutes on the first side (7 produces more of a medium cooked steak). Flip and cook another 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130-135 degrees F. This is cooked medium. For rare, you want 120-130 degrees F. I don't recommend cooking this cut of steak any more or it will be tough. (Step 4)
- Allow the steak to rest, covered with foil, for at least 7-10 minutes before slicing. You want to slice "against the grain" so in the opposite direction of how the meat fibers are running. See last photo.
- Serve topped with the corn relish, or with your favorite side dishes.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Steak
- Choose a good cut of flank steak - one that is preferrably cut that day or doesn't have large chunks of fat. Skirt steak will also work for this recipe.
- Medium to medium rare is the best temperature for this cut of steak so it's not too dry and chewy. Your first round making this, choose a lower cook time, open the air fryer and test it with a meat thermometer. It should read 125-135 degrees F.
- Allow the steak time to rest, covered with foil - at least 5-10 minutes. This keeps it extra juicy.
- Slice as thin as possible, against the grain, for the best texture.
Sauces and Sides
If you're looking for extra flavor, these sauces and sides are perfect with flank steak. The included corn relish recipe is a great option for summer that takes a little bit of fresh corn, shallots, some tomatoes, cilantro or parsley, and a little bit of acid. It just adds a little bit of extra flavoring to the steak. A few others that I love are:
- Cilantro chimichurri for low carb.
- If you hate cilantro, this creamy basil dressing would make a great dipping sauce or drizzle on top! It would also make an amazing flank steak salad.
- For another steak salad idea, add peaches, cheese, and a fresh herb dressing.
As for side dishes, I highly recommend a healthy salad, creamy mashed cauliflower, stuffed shells, or mac and cheese cauliflower. These Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts would also be amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is flank steak good in the air fryer?
Yes, flank steak is great in the air fryer! If you'd like to get a nice char, you can always sear it in a pan before placing in the air fryer, but you don't have to if you're in a time crunch. Both ways will still give you great flavor if you marinate it well.
How long does it take to cook steak in an air fryer?
For rare (between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit) I found that 5 minutes per side was enough. For medium rare, 6 minutes, and for medium (130-135 degrees) 7 minutes per side worked well for me with the Instant Pot air fryer lid.
How should flank steak be cooked?
Because flank steak is a little less fatty and can be tough if over cooked, don't cook past medium heat. Slicing thinly against the grain and marinating at least 1 hour or more will help keep it tender as well.
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Air Fryer
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1¾ pounds flank steak or skirt steak
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper
Corn Salsa
- 2 cobs corn, cooked or grilled, or frozen corn cooked (about 1½ cups)
- ½ shallot, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
- ⅔ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
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Mix together the oil, coconut aminos, vinegar, and garlic in a shallow cooking dish that the steak will fit into. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the steak and place into marinade, flipping to coat both sides. Either return to the fridge to marinate up to 24 hours, or leave on the counter to come to room temperature if you plan to cook within an hour. You should try to marinade the steak at least 1 hour.
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Remove the steak from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you intend to cook. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes each side (5 for rare at 120-130 degrees internal temp, 7 for medium at 130-135 degrees internal temp). Check the internal temperature once the timer is up and if it's done, place it on a cutting board (preferably with a moat to catch the juices) and cover with foil. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing thin against the grain of the meat.
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Meanwhile, stir together the corn, shallot, tomatoes, cilantro or parsley, and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes to soak up the flavors. Serve over the steak.
- I used an instant pot air fryer lid which cooks a little bit faster than larger air fryer baskets. Your first time making this, keep the time on the low side so you don't overcook it.
- Coconut aminos add sweetness to the marinade, using fewer ingredients overall. If using soy, go light on the added salt and stir in 1-2 teaspoons of honey. Taste the marinade and adjust to your liking.
- Chopped red bell pepper can be substituted for tomatoes, or check out my post for chimichurri and creamy basil sauces that would also work well with this steak recipe.
Calories: 383 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Protein: 43 g | Fat: 20 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g | Cholesterol: 119 mg | Sodium: 569 mg | Potassium: 749 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 123 IU | Vitamin C: 6 mg | Calcium: 49 mg | Iron: 3 mg
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