This air fryer flank steak recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 17 minutes from start to finish. Perfectly cooked and packed with 49g of protein per serving, it’s a game-changing dinner option for busy weeknights.
The air fryer method ensures a juicy interior while creating that coveted caramelized exterior that’s ussually hard to achieve at home. At just 326 calories per 8-ounce portion, you’re getting maximum flavor with smart nutrition.
Essential Ingredients
- Flank Steak: 2 pounds, ideal for air frying
- Brown Sugar: 2 teaspoons, helps create a beautiful crust
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt
- Additional Spices: ½ teaspoon each of onion powder and black pepper
- Fresh Cilantro: 1 tablespoon, roughly chopped for garnish
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Preparation: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Pat the steak dry thoroughly.
- Season: Combine all dry seasonings in a bowl to create a flavorful spice blend.
- Coat: Generously apply the spice mixture on both sides of the steak for maximum flavor.
- Position: Place your seasoned steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring it lies flat.
- Air Fry: Cook at 400°F/200°C for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Target internal temperature: 130°F.
- Rest & Finish: Let the steak rest for 10 minutes, then slice against the grain. Top with fresh cilantro.
Cooking Techniques
Air frying flank steak might sound different, but it’s actually super simple! The most important part is letting your air fryer fully heat up before cooking. Just like a regular grill or pan, a hot cooking surface gives you the best results. When you flip the steak halfway through cooking, use tongs instead of a fork to keep all those tasty juices inside. The resting time after cooking is so important – those 10 minutes let the meat’s juices settle back into the fibers, giving you tender, juicy slices.
Slicing Tips
The secret to tender flank steak is all in how you slice it! Look for the long muscle fibers running through the meat – that’s the “grain.” Place your knife across these lines (not parallel to them) and slice at a slight angle. This cuts the tough muscle fibers short, making each bite much more tender. Try to keep your slices thin, about 1/4 inch thick, for the best eating experience.
Serving Suggestions
This flank steak is amazing in so many dishes! Try it in warm tortillas for fantastic tacos, or slice it over a fresh salad for a protein-packed meal. It’s great alongside roasted potatoes or your favorite rice dish. The sweet and savory spice blend also pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Don’t forget to sprinkle extra fresh cilantro on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor!
Storage and Reheating
Keep any leftover steak in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, slice it very thin and warm it briefly in a pan with a splash of water to keep it from drying out. The meat is also really good cold in sandwiches or on top of salads the next day!
Air Fryer Flank Steak
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Paper Towels
- Small Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cilantro roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
- Pat the flank steak dry with a paper towel.
- Mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the flank steak on both sides with the spice mixture.
- Place the flank steak in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 10-12 minutes, flipping the meat over halfway through, until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130°F.
- Top with chopped cilantro. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain to serve.
