A decadent and juicy steak and a few roast potatoes is a meal that can make anyone start to salivate. In fact, this is one of my favorite meals to cook at home!
However, once I am done with my food I often find myself with a ton of leftovers.
One of the hardest leftover foods to keep and prepare for the next day is steak.
If you have reheated steak before, you may have noticed your steak being unusually dry, or perhaps it wasn’t heated all the way through. This can be frustrating, especially when you’ve spent money on a premium cut of meat.
By knowing the trick to reheating leftover steak, you can forever do away with another dry and unevenly heated meal.
The tip to reheating steak is to try it in an air fryer! Reheating steak in an air fryer is a delicious way to amp up leftover steak from the previous night’s dinner.
Read more creative ways to reheat food by reading our article How To Reheat A Burrito Without a Microwave [3 Different Methods].
What is the Best Way to Reheat Steak?
Reheating steak in an oven takes time and patience. Once the steak heats up, you will then need to sear it on a frying pan. Although this technique does the job, it takes effort and time.
The tastiest and most efficient way to reheat steak is with an air fryer. This is due for a number of reasons, but mainly because you are able to set an exact temperature and cooking time for the steak.
Using an air fryer, the steak will both reheat and crispen up. In fact, this method is comparable to reverse searing meat. The method follows the same premise as a convection oven, hot moving air cooking your food in a manner that makes it crispy, but without using too much oil.
Reheating steak in an air fryer is also a healthier alternative to using extra oil or reheating the meat in a skillet. When using an air fryer, one doesn’t need to add an enormous amount of extra oil. In fact, oil isn’t a necessity at all.
Have a look at these great reviews on Amazon for a Philips air fryer.
How Do You Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer?
Before you attempt to reheat steak in an air fryer, there are some elements to understand first.
1. Decide the Cooking Temperature
Air frying steak at a higher temperature will reheat the meat faster.
The only thing you will need to worry about is safeguarding against over cooking your food. If you opt to air fry the steak for a longer time frame with high heat, then prepare for a more well-done outcome.
2. Determine if the Air Fryer is Large Enough
Simple elements such as the air fryer size are integral to reheating steak.
Do not use the air fryer if the steak folds inside it. This will affect the quality of the reheating negatively and result in an unevenly reheated steak.
If you are unable to place the steak horizontally inside, then reheat the steak in batches. You may choose to reheat pieces of steak that are similar sizes.
3. Assess the Steak’s Initial “Doneness”
Before you attempt to reheat your steak in an air fryer, have a look at the steak’s “doneness.” You may think twice about reheating well done steak, it may turn out too dry and chewy. The best steak to reheat is a medium rare or medium steak.
4. Bring the Steak to Room Temperature
The steak will ruin if you throw it completely cold inside the air fryer. When you decide to reheat your steak, bring it out of the refrigerator for it to reach room temperature. This will prevent the steak from becoming rubbery in the air fryer.
5. Preheat Your Air Fryer
Before you throw the room temperature steak in the air fryer, you will need to preheat it first. Once preheated, this will cut the actual reheating time of your steak.
Reheating steak in an air fryer is an effective way to heat your steak evenly without overcooking it. Once you have all the ingredients and materials in place, you will be able to reheat your steak with ease.Important note:
When you reheat your steak, it will reach the next level.
For example, if you reheat a medium rare steak in the air fryer, it will most likely come out to be medium.
How To Reheat Steak in an Air Fryer
Wondering what you’ll need?
The ingredients and materials needed to produce a juicy reheated steak include the following:
Air Fryer
You will need to ensure that your air fryer is large enough to lay a steak fully horizontal inside.
Remember that if your air fryer will not fit a steak comfortably, you can try to reheat the steak in smaller batches.
Steak
Fry up a delicious ribeye steak and use the leftovers to reheat the next day in an air fryer. Bear in mind that when you reheat in an air fryer, the steak will reach the next level of “doneness.”
Olive Oil
This is a healthier option than using butter or regular oil. Olive oil is highly flavorful and a great oil to use, especially for reheating.
Oil Mister
Speaking from personal experience, misters tend to be better than aerosol sprays. Aerosol propellants can damage the non-stick component of an air fryer over time.
Check out the reviews for this non-aerosol oil mister on Amazon.
Timer
If your air fryer does not have a digital timer on it, then having a timer or clock nearby is handy.
Salt and Pepper
Salt and pepper are two integral ingredients when cooking, and during the reheating process it is no different. When you leave steak overnight, it minimizes flavor.
In some ways you will need to treat your leftover steak like new steak and reseason.
Cooking tip:
To add more flavor and seasoning, try frying some garlic and rosemary.
Use the rosemary, now soaked in oil and garlic, as a brush to season your steak.
What are the Necessary Steps to Reheat Steak?
Now that you have all the materials and ingredients in order, it is time for you to reheat the steak!
We recommend setting your air fryer to a higher temperature and cooking at smaller intervals. Don’t forget to bring your steak to room temperature and to preheat the air fryer. Follow the step by step instruction below for the best results:
Step 1: Coat your room temperature steak in some oil or a small bit of butter. As mentioned, olive oil is a healthier alternative to butter. However, the choice is yours!
Step 2: Ensure your air fryer is at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. You will have already preheated the air fryer at this stage. The high heat means that you have shorter cooking intervals.
Step 3: Place the steak inside the air fryer for three minute intervals.
Remember that because you are implementing a higher temperature, you do not want to cook your steak for longer than 20 minutes.
Step 4: Check the steak every three minutes to ensure best results. After each three minute interval, check the internal temperature of the steak. You will want the inside of the steak to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part.
Step 5: Take the steak out of the air fryer, and turn the air fryer off.
Step 6: Let the steak rest as the heat travels throughout the meat.
Step 7: Prepare the steak as part of a dish, or enjoy it plain with a side of vegetables!
For optimal results, it is best to not heat up a well-done steak in an air fryer. No matter how delicious air fryers have the potential to make steaks, a rubbery and chewy steak texture is hardly an enjoyable experience!
Want to reheat more yummy foods? Read our article, How to Reheat a Casserole Without Drying It Out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Best Type of Steak to Reheat in an Air Fryer?
The best aspect of owning an air fryer is realizing that there is no “one size fits all” approach. Personally, I believe that any steak is the best steak to reheat in an air fryer, because of the versatility of the appliance.
Air fryers are customizable and you can adjust your cooking methods to fit the type of steak you are reheating. Bear in mind, however, that the fat content of the steak is a large indicator of the taste it will produce.
Is There a Reheat option on my Air Fryer?
Only on some air fryers is the “reheat” option available. If your air fryer has that setting, then by all means use it! This guide is for those who do not have this setting on their air fryer.
What Are Some Ways to Serve Reheated Steak?
After reheating steak in an air fryer, you may choose to serve it alone perhaps with a side of greens.
Other ideas include:
- Add the reheated steak into a stir fry with egg noodles.
- Serve the steak on it’s own with a side of vegetables such as spinach or broccoli.
- Slice the steak in small pieces and put it in between two toasted buns for a delicious steak sandwich.
- Add the steak with some tomatoes on tortillas for steak tacos.
- Arrange the reheated steak on some tortilla chips. Add some guacamole and salsa for a delicious nacho treat!
Can I Reheat an Already Sliced Steak?
Yes, you can reheat already sliced steak in an air fryer. You will not need to cook for as long because the pieces of steak will reheat quickly.
Reheated steak slices are a delicious topping to a salad, ramen, or stir fry.
Closing Remarks
Air frying is a proven method to add gusto to leftover steak. In fact, air frying adds depth and dimension to cooking due to its versatility. Try this technique over reheating in a microwave or oven.
