Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Fillet mignon cooking might sound like something only fancy restaurants can pull off, but would you believe it? With an air fryer, you can whip up juicy filet mignon in the comfort of your own home. A multipurpose kitchen appliance, the air fryer is sweeping the culinary scene. It promises ease as well as healthy food without sacrificing flavor.

filet mignon in air fryer — Image credit: @grandriver

How to Pick the Best Filet Mignon

When shopping for the ideal filet mignon, bear in mind the following details. Finding beef that is richly marbled is your best bet for juicy, flavorful tenderness. For guidance in making the best decision, consider the following:

Marbling: White fat streaks intertwined with muscle are what you’re looking for when you buy meat. The flavor and softness are enhanced by marbling.
Color: The ideal color for filet mignon is a bright, vibrant red. Avoid anything that appears lifeless or has brown patches.
Thickness: The steak has a thickness of around 1 to 2 inches and a diameter of about 2 to 3 inches. A perfectly charred outside and a juicy, delicate within are both made possible by this thickness.
Butcher: Try to get your meat from a trustworthy butcher if you can. They are more qualified to advise you and guarantee a good cut.

How To Cook Filet Mignon In The Air Fryer

Ingredients

2 filet mignon steaks
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Garlic powder (optional)
Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (optional)

Instructions

Set the butter and filet mignon (for the garlic herb butter) to room temperature. Flavor will be maximized and even cooking will be helped.
Toss the filet mignon lightly with olive oil and liberally season with salt and pepper on both sides.
Leaving plenty of room between each filet mignon, place it in the air fryer basket. To keep things from getting crowded, you might have to cook in batches.
Depending on how done you like your filet mignon, air fry it for 9 to 14 minutes at 400°F.
When done to your liking, take the filet mignon out of the air fryer and let it sit for three to five minutes. This makes the steak much more tender and tasty by allowing the liquids to re-distribute throughout.
Top the hot air fryer filet mignon with a liberal dollop of melted garlic herb butter. Savor the ideal home-cooked steak meal!

How Long To Cook Filet Mignon In The Air Fryer?

The length of time it takes to cook filet mignon in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and the desired doneness. In general, below are the rules:

Rare: 9-10 minutes (internal temperature of 120°F); steak remains slightly pink in the center.
Medium-Rare: 10-11 minutes (internal temperature 130°F); little cooked but still juicy and tender.
Medium: 11-12 minutes (internal temperature 140°F); steak is done but still slightly pink in the center.
Medium-Well: 12-13 minutes (internal temperature 150°F); the steak is cooked through but slightly pink in the center.
Well-Done: 13-14 minutes (internal temperature 160°F); the steak is fully cooked.

Tips For Success

Before cooking, let butter and filet mignon come to room temperature. Let the steaks sit for half an hour before grilling. This guarantees consistent cooking and richest flavor.
Go ahead and season liberally! For a great crust, liberally salt and pepper filet mignon.
Keep your air fryer closed most of the time. You lose important heat and have to cook for longer each time you open the basket.
Slice filet mignon after it has rested for three to five minutes. A steak can become juicier and more flavorful by the juices redistributing during the resting time.
With your air-fried filet mignon, think about preparing a compound butter. An age-old combination that elevates the meal is garlic herb butter.
Cooking many steaks at a time can help to prevent packing the air fryer basket. Cooking unevenly can result from crowding.

Storage Instructions

Air fryer filet mignon leftovers keep for up to three days in the refrigerator when kept in an airtight container. Just reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes or gently warm the steak in a hot skillet when you’re ready to enjoy again.

An other option is to freeze raw filet mignon for up to three months. Thaw steak in the refrigerator before reheating. You may store cooked steaks in the freezer for up to four months if you need to, but they won’t be quite as juicy when you thaw and cook them again.

Final Words

A huge game changer is cooking filet mignon in an air fryer. It works fast and simply, and every time yields results worthy of a restaurant. Recall that the details—the right seasoning, the right cooking time, and the resting period—are what make a steak excellent. A feast to remember is created when you serve the filet mignon with some delectable sides like creamed spinach, green beans, or turnips.

FAQs

Is filet mignon good in the air fryer?

Cooking filet mignon in the air fryer is the perfect cozy dinner for two, or even a quick & easy weeknight meal. You really can’t go wrong with this method. With easy prep and just 10 minutes to cook, this air fryer recipe is the easiest way you’ve ever made steak!

What setting is best for steak in air fryer?

Spray the steak with olive oil and coat both sides with the spices. Preheat the air fryer so the basket gets hot. For a 1-inch steak, air fry 400F 10 minutes turning halfway, for medium rare, for medium, cook 12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Do you flip steak in an air fryer?

Your steak will cook through, if left on just one side. However, because flipping can place a different part of the steak closer to the heating element (for an air fryer, this is at the top), a steak will cook more evenly if flipped halfway through.

How long to cook 2 inch filet mignon?

4 minutes EACH SIDE (Rare 110 to 120 F)
4.5 minutes EACH SIDE (Medium Rare 120 to 130 F)

Do I put oil on steak before air frying?

Pat steaks dry with a paper towel. Rub with oil and season both sides of steak with crushed peppercorns and salt. Place steaks in air fryer basket so that they are not touching and there is plenty of room for the air to circulate between them.