This Air Fryer Flank Steak is the easiest way to make a juicy, perfectly cooked steak without turning on the grill. Season it with a brown sugar dry rub and cook it in the air fryer in under 30 minutes.
It comes out perfectly caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside every single time. It is great for a quick weeknight dinner and the leftovers are perfect for salads and meal prep!
For another air fryer dinner option, try this air fryer halibut.
25 minutes
WEEKNIGHT DINNER
Quick Look: Air Fryer Flank Steak
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 👩🍳 Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 🕖 Total Time: 25 minutes
- 🥩 Servings: 2 servings
- ⚡️ Calories: 346 calories per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cooking Method: Air fry at 350F
- 🛒 Main Ingredients: flank steak, brown sugar, salt
- ⭐️ Difficulty: Extremely easy! Put the dry rub on your steak, air fry, and enjoy.
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Christine left this 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This recipe is 💯!! Delicious rub and super easy to make. Incredible steak without having to grill. We will make this many times- love it!!!!!”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Steak dinner without a grill – I use my grill as often as I can, but sometimes it’s not feasible. Instead, I use my air fryer to make this perfect flank steak in less than 30 minutes.
- Easy dry rub – Prepare a simple steak dry rub by combining brown sugar with a few spices. The sugar gives the steak a caramelized crust that is so delicious.
- Perfect for meal prep – I love making this steak up and having it on hand for lunches. It’s so good in a salad or a wrap.
You could serve this air fryer flank steak as a main course with this veggie couscous salad or sourdough panzanella salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you need to make this air fryer flank steak. For a full list of ingredients and amounts please head to the full recipe.
- Flank steak – I use flank steak for this recipe because it’s a versatile cut of steak that cooks well in the air fryer.
- Brown sugar – the sugar creates a really delicious crust on the flank steak
- Black pepper – make sure to use freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavor in your steak
- Salt – salt helps tenderize the meat and brings out all of the flavor in the steak and dry rub
You can also use this dry rub for larger roasts in the oven, for barbecue on the smoker and even for ribs.
To complement your steak with other air fryer options, you could make air fryer butternut squash and air fryer brussels sprouts.
How to make an Air Fryer Flank Steak
Step 1: Take the flank steak out about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Mix the brown sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 350F. Gently tenderize the steak on both sides using a meat tenderizer. Rub the dry rub into the flank steak with your hands. Be sure to rub it in on all sides.
Step 3: Place the steak in the air fryer basket at 350F for 4 minutes, flip the steak and air fry for another 4 minutes. Check the internal temp of the steak (I like 130F for a medium rare flank steak). Cook for longer if needed.
Step 4: Place the cooked steak on a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes. Determine the grain of the steak and slice the steak into strips against the grain.
Mad’s Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Flank Steak 🥩
- Always slice against the grain – Look at which way the muscle fibers run and cut across them in the opposite direction at a slight angle. This will make your steak much more tender.
- Let the steak rest before cutting – Give the steak at least 5 minutes to rest after it comes out of the air fryer. Cutting too soon lets all the juices run out. By allowing it to rest, the meat soaks up the juices to avoid a dry steak.
- Preheat the air fryer – A hot air fryer gives you a better sear on the outside of the steak. Let it preheat for 3-5 minutes before adding the meat so that it immediately goes into a hot fryer.
- Do not overcook it – Flank steak is best at medium rare to medium (130-145F internal temperature). It gets tough and dry when cooked beyond medium, so watch it closely.
If you want to make a classic steak house meal, serve a classic wedge salad recipe with this steak.
Recipe FAQs
What temperature should flank steak be cooked to?
For medium rare, cook to 130-135F. For medium, cook to 140-145F. Flank steak gets tough when cooked beyond medium so use a meat thermometer to monitor it closely.
How long does flank steak take in the air fryer?
It usually takes about 8-14 minutes at 350F depending on the thickness of your steak and your air fryer model. Always check the internal temperature when cooking.
Why is my flank steak tough?
Flank steak becomes tough if it is overcooked or if it is not sliced against the grain. Make sure to cut in the opposite direction of the muscle fibers for the most tender results.
Can I marinate flank steak before air frying?
Yes! A marinade adds great flavor. Just pat the steak dry before cooking so the outside can get a nice sear instead of steaming.
How can I serve air fryer flank steak?
My favorite way to serve this steak is sliced on top of a simple salad. I like to use my apple cider salad dressing or homemade ranch dressing.
Storage and reheating
Allow the flank steak to cool completely, then, store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat by cooking it very quickly in strips in a warm cast iron skillet.
You can easily overcook flank steak so I prefer to eat the leftovers cold in a salad or in a wrap.
Check Out These Other Air Fryer Recipes
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Air Fryer Flank Steak
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak – look for one that is about an inch thick
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika standard not smoked
Instructions
- Take the flank steak out about 30 minutes prior to cooking to bring it to room temperature. Prepare the dry rub by mixing the brown sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F. Take the flank steak and gently tenderize it on both sides using a meat tenderizer. Rub the dry rub into the flank steak with your hands. Be sure to rub it in on all sides.
- Place the steak in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350F for 4 minutes, flip the steak and air fry for another 4 minutes. Check the internal temp of the steak (I like 130F for a medium rare flank steak). Cook for longer if needed.
- Place the cooked steak on a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes. Determine the grain of the steak and slice the steak into strips against the grain.
Recipe Notes
- Make sure to let your steak rest before slicing.
- Slice your flank steak against the grain for the most tender bite.
- Use the dry rub on large roasts or ribs as well.
- Use leftover flank steak in salads or wraps.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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