You can cook this steakhouse style air fryer filet mignon in less than 15 minutes at home! It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and cooked to perfectly medium-rare.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
This air fryer filet mignon recipe is so quick and easy, and it turns out perfectly medium rare every single time! The steaks are seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then they’re cooked at a high temperature of 400 in the air fryer so that they develop a beautiful sear and lock in all the juices. Cooking filet mignon in the air fryer is a foolproof method that comes out so incredibly tender, and the filet mignon just melts in your mouth.
After it’s finished cooking, it’s topped with a simple homemade herb and garlic butter that melts into all the nooks and crannies of the steak as it rests. It’s a simple step that adds such an incredible, rich flavor.
This filet mignon recipe yields perfectly juicy, tender steaks every time. I’m sure you’ll love the results of this quick and easy recipe! This steak really does taste like you ordered it from your favorite steakhouse. Try pairing it with a side salad, some roasted vegetables, or some mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Filet Mignon Steaks: This is a premium cut of beef, and you’ll likely have the best luck getting a great quality steak from a local butcher shop. Look for steaks that are center-cut and are roughly the same shape and size so that they cook evenly. You’ll also want to look for ones that have a vibrant red color and a bit of even marbling for added flavor.
Olive Oil: This is the fat we’re using to coat the steaks before cooking. It helps the salt and pepper stick to the steak, and it also helps the steaks achieve a gorgeous golden-brown sear in the air fryer as it cooks.
Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential in this recipe. These basic seasonings add so much flavor here. The salt enhances all of the other flavors in this dish, and the spice in pepper balances out the richness of the beef.
Unsalted Butter: This is the base of the garlic herb butter. Topping the steaks with herb butter after they’re finished cooking adds a delicious, rich flavor.
Parsley, Thyme, and Rosemary: These fresh herbs are a classic flavor pairing with beef. They add a savory, aromatic flavor. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried. Just keep in mind that dried herbs are far more potent than fresh herbs, so you’ll only need a scant 1/4 teaspoon of each.
Garlic: Garlic adds a delicious layer of aromatic flavor that pairs so well with the filet mignon. You can also use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand.
How To Cook Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Make the Herb and Garlic Butter: Take the filet mignon out of the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. While the steaks are resting, make the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine your softened butter with freshly diced parsley, thyme, rosemary, and minced garlic. Place it back in the refrigerator to harden. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Season the Steaks: Pat your steaks dry with paper towels, then rub them with olive oil. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer. Once hot, place your seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket and cook, flipping halfway through. Continue cooking until they reach your preferred level of doneness.
Cook in Batches: If you’re going to cook more than 2 steaks, cook them in batches so that you don’t overcrowd your air fryer. The steaks need room for the air to circulate around them so that they brown well.
Rest: After cooking, immediately transfer your steaks to a plate. Top each steak with half of your herb and garlic butter, then loosely cover with aluminum foil. Allow the steaks to rest before serving, letting the butter melt into the steaks and the juices redistribute throughout the meat. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.
Pro Tips
- Room Temperature: Letting your steak rest at room temperature for 30 minutes allows it to cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Season Generously: Since filet mignon is a lean, tender cut of meat, it can handle a lot of seasoning. Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper in this recipe.
- Let it Rest: Letting the filet mignon rest after cooking is a critical step. It gives the muscle fibers a chance to relax, and allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier, more tender steak.
What’s The Best Way To Cook A Filet Mignon In An Air Fryer?
This is the best way to air fry filet mignon! Let an 8-ounce steak rest for 30 minutes at room temperature, then season it with salt and pepper, preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and cook it for 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, 12-13 minutes for medium-well, or 13-14 minutes for well done. Be sure to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time. When it’s finished cooking, transfer it to a plate and loosely cover it with aluminum foil to let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Do You Need To Flip Steak In An Air Fryer?
Technically, you can cook a steak in the air fryer without flipping it. Flipping it halfway through cooking will give you better results though. Flipping it halfway through will make your steak cook and brown more evenly since you’re alternating which side of the steak is closer to the heating element.
How Do You Know A Filet Mignon Is Done?
Since appliances vary, it’s always best to judge the doneness of meat using an instant read meat thermometer instead of time. These are the temperature you’re looking for based on the different doneness levels:
RARE: Initial internal temperature of 120°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 125°F.
MEDIUM RARE: Initial internal temperature of 130°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 135°F.
MEDIUM: Initial internal temperature of 140°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 145°F.
MEDIUM WELL: Initial internal temperature of 150°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 155°F.
WELL DONE: Initial internal temperature of 160°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 165°F.
How Do You Cook A Steak In The Air Fryer Without It Overcooking Or Drying Out?
There are a few tricks to cooking steak in the air fryer without it drying out or overcooking. First, preheat the air fryer so that the surface of the steak browns better and locks in the juices. Second, flip the steak halfway through cooking so that it cooks more evenly. Third, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness so that you don’t accidentally overcook it.
Why Would You Air Fry Steak?
It’s a really easy way to cook steak with consistent results every time. Plus, you don’t have to watch it closely on the stove, and it leaves your stove and oven free to cook any side dishes you might be planning to serve with it. Basically, it’s easy, quick, and consistent, which makes it a great option for many people.
What To Serve With Filet Mignon
I love serving filet mignon with a rich, carby side and a vegetable side dish. Some of my favorites to pair with this recipe are:
- Baked Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes (without milk!)
- Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
- Microwave Baked Potato
- Green Beans and Potatoes
- Crockpot Green Beans
- How to Cook Frozen Peas
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Beef Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other beef recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- Cajun Butter Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Prime Rib
- Air Fryer Ribeye
- Beef Tips and Rice
- Au Jus
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce
BEST Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tender)
You can cook this steakhouse style air fryer filet mignon in 15 minutes at home! It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfectly medium-rare.
Ingredients
Filet Mignon:
- 2 filet mignon steaks, about 8 oz each (see notes for other sizes)*
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Garlic Herb Butter:
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Remove the steaks from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, and garlic until well combined. Place into the refrigerator to harden.
- Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and rub them all over with olive oil. Season both sides with salt and pepper.Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, flipping halfway through, or until they reach an internal temperature of 130°F on an instant read meat thermometer. **See notes for other levels of doneness.
- Once they’re finished cooking, immediately transfer them to a plate, top each with half of the herb and garlic butter, loosely cover with aluminum foil, and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the butter to melt into the steaks and the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Notes
* A 7-ounce filet mignon will take about 9-10 minutes to reach medium-rare. A 10-ounce filet mignon will take about 12-13 minutes to reach medium-rare.
**These are the cooking times for the different levels of doneness for 8-ounce filet mignon steaks that are 1.5” thick: 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, 12-13 minutes for medium-well, and 13-14 minutes for well done.
***Depending on the level of doneness you want, these are the temperatures you’re looking for:
RARE: Initial internal temperature of 120°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 125°F.
MEDIUM RARE: Initial internal temperature of 130°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 135°F.
MEDIUM: Initial internal temperature of 140°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 145°F.
MEDIUM WELL: Initial internal temperature of 150°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 155°F.
WELL DONE: Initial internal temperature of 160°F, rest time of 10 minutes, internal temperature after resting of 165°F.
If you’re going to cook more than 2 steaks, cook them in batches so that you don’t overcrowd your air fryer. The steaks need room for the air to circulate around them so that they brown well.
Store any leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The herb and garlic butter can be stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To reheat the steak, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the steak inside and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until it is warmed through. Be careful not to overcook the steak during reheating.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 532Total Fat: 28.6gCarbohydrates: 1.6gFiber: 0.6gSugar: 0gProtein: 68.2g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
I hope you enjoy this quick and easy air fryer filet mignon recipe as much as I do! It’s the easiest way to cook a steakhouse quality filet mignon at home.
