Cooking air fryer filet mignon transforms this delicate cut into a melt-in-your-mouth meal. It’s the perfect choice for date night, offering effortless cooking with easy prep and minimal cleanup. Top it with garlic herb butter or herbed compound butter for a restaurant-quality finish.
This 20-minute recipe delivers a juicy tender steak without the need for a searing step or babysitting. While ideal for beef tenderloin, you can also try ribeye, sirloin steak, or grilled venison backstrap. After 20 trials, the air frying method ensures consistent, medium-rare steak results every time.
Pair with mashed potatoes, parsnips, or green beans almondine to complete your special dinner. Add extras like teriyaki salmon or a lobster tail for a luxurious touch. Unlike stovetop-to-oven methods, the air fryer saves time, reduces cost, and guarantees an impressive gourmet dinner.
What is Filet Mignon
In the steak world, filet mignon stands out as a truly special and expensive cut of beef. Taken from the tenderloin, it’s known for being incredibly tender, juicy, and delicious, offering a flavor that melts in your mouth. While it’s a pricey choice at steakhouses, buying it from the grocery store and using the air fryer method makes it much easier to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home. Achieve the perfect steak, cooked flawlessly every single time, right in your home kitchen.
Essential Ingredients
Steak: Filet mignon steaks are the star of this recipe. Choose 8oz steaks or similar tenderloin steaks for the best results. If preparing multiple steaks, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. Look for grass-fed or finished beef for a rich, natural flavor.
Oil: Use olive oil or avocado oil to coat the steaks lightly. This helps the seasoning stick and enhances the flavor. Choose extra virgin olive oil for the best quality and taste.
Seasoning: Sprinkle the steaks with coarse sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, or kosher salt. Add fresh rosemary, thyme, or even sage for an aromatic touch.
Butter: Prepare compound butter with unsalted butter at room temperature, minced fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter like Miyokos or ghee for Whole30 compliance.
Garlic: Add a hint of garlic powder or substitute with fresh garlic by mincing one clove. This enhances the herb butter and steak’s overall flavor.
Toppings: For a cheesy twist, try roasted garlic whipped goat cheese or a dollop of your favorite topping. Skip blue cheese if you prefer milder flavors.
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Prepping the Steaks
Start by letting your filet mignon rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Pat dry with a paper towel, then brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, ensuring the steaks are well-coated. Add a touch of minced rosemary for an aromatic touch, and let the flavors soak in while you prepare the air fryer.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned steaks in the basket, leaving enough space between them or cooking in batches. Cook according to your preferred doneness: 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, and so on, up to 14 minutes for well done. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: 120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, and so on.
Rest and Serve
Once cooked, transfer the filet mignon to a cutting board and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Add a slice of garlic herb butter, letting it melt into the tender meat. For a restaurant-quality presentation, serve with your favorite sides and enjoy every bite!
Making Garlic Herb Butter
To elevate your steak, combine softened butter, rosemary, thyme, and a touch of garlic powder in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, shape into a log with parchment paper, and refrigerate until firm. This compound butter is the perfect topping to enhance the steak’s flavor.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
Air frying filet mignon is the easiest way to create a tender steak with minimal effort. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have a juicy, perfectly cooked steak that’s full of flavor. The garlic herb butter adds a rich, flavorful topping, making this dish feel like a steakhouse meal at home.
This air fryer recipe is easy to prep and uses a simple method with no need to flip or watch over the steak. Serve it as a cozy dinner, or a quick weeknight meal, or pair it with a baked potato, asparagus, or your favorite side. It’s tender, delicious, and turns out perfectly every single time!
Air Fryer Settings
- Set your air fryer to 400°F for filet mignon.
- Adjust cooking time based on steak thickness: 9-14 minutes depending on desired doneness.
- Check your air manual for specific settings tailored to your model for perfect results.
How Long to Cook Filet Mignon in the Air Fryer?
For filet mignon, use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to check the temperature for the most accurate results. Depending on steak thickness, air fryer power, and your preferred doneness, cook times will vary, but typically 2″-2.5″ thick steaks take about 15 minutes at 400 degrees F for medium-rare (around 125°F). For 1.5-inch steaks, refer to the time chart for estimated cook times based on doneness levels.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Steak
Here are some essential tips to help you cook the perfect steak in your air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to ensure the steak cooks evenly and achieves a golden crust. Set it to medium temperature for perfection.
- Never overcrowd the basket; cook the steak in batches to allow heat to redistribute This ensures a uniform cook.
- Season the steak with salt, pepper, and rosemary for the best flavor. For a rich flavor, add vegan butter like Miyokos or Earth Balance.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness and pull the steak once it’s perfect. Let it rest for 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
- Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking and pat it dry for a better golden crust. Don’t overcook!
- To add even more flavor, try compound butter or ghee if you’re on Whole30. Cut into the steak after resting to ensure it’s juicy throughout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure your filet mignon cooks perfectly in the air fryer, avoid these common mistakes:
- Overcrowding the basket prevents even cooking, so always cook in batches.
- Don’t skip preheating the air fryer for a golden crust and even cooking.
- Let the steak rest after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and keep it juicy.
How to Store Filet Mignon
To keep filet mignon tender, store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and eat it fresh if possible. For best results, reheat in a hot skillet or low-temperature oven with broth—microwaving is not recommended.
You can freeze raw steaks before air frying or cooking, or freeze cooked steaks for 3-4 months, but they may lose their tenderness after thawing and reheating, so use them in soups or a salad with dressing.
FAQS
- How long does it take to cook filet mignon in an air fryer?
Depending on the thickness and desired doneness, it takes about 9-14 minutes. - Do I need to flip my steak in the air fryer?
Flipping is unnecessary if you cook it properly in the air fryer. - How long do you cook a 2-inch thick filet mignon?
Cook for about 12-15 minutes at 400°F for medium-rare. - How long does it take to cook steak in an air fryer at 400 degrees?
It typically takes 9-14 minutes, depending on the steak’s thickness and your preferred doneness.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prep the Steaks: Rest the steaks at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and brush both sides with olive oil. Season generously with salt, pepper, and minced rosemary.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Cook the Steaks: Place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for:9-10 minutes for rare10-11 minutes for medium-rare11-12 minutes for medium14 minutes for well-done.Use a meat thermometer to check doneness (120°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare).
- Rest the Steaks: Remove the steaks and let them rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: Mix softened butter, fresh parsley, rosemary, and garlic powder (or minced garlic). Shape into a log with parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.
- Serve: Top the steaks with a slice of garlic herb butter before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides.