Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Cooking filet mignon in the air fryer is the perfect way to enjoy a tender, juicy, and flavorful steak without the fuss. The air fryer locks in the meat’s natural juices while creating a gorgeous seared crust—ideal for a quick weeknight treat or a special occasion dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 filet mignon steaks (6–8 oz each, about 1.5 inches thick)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, for aroma)

How To Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon

1. Prepare Steaks – Pat the filet mignon dry with paper towels. Brush lightly with olive oil on all sides.
2. Season – Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly over the steaks.
3. Preheat Air Fryer – Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
4. Cook – Place steaks in the air fryer basket with space between them.
   • Medium-Rare: Air fry for 9–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
   • Medium: Air fry for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
   • Well-Done: Air fry for 13–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Rest – Let steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute

You Must Know

• Filet mignon is a naturally lean cut, so avoid overcooking to keep it tender.
• For extra richness, top with a pat of garlic herb butter right after cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer: 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare, 135°F (57°C) for medium.

Topping Variations

• Garlic Herb Butter – Butter blended with minced garlic, parsley, and chives.
• Blue Cheese Crumble – Sprinkle over the hot steak for a creamy tang.
• Mushroom Sauce – Sautéed mushrooms with cream and a splash of wine.
• Balsamic Glaze – Sweet and tangy drizzle for a gourmet twist.

Make It A Meal

Serve your air fryer filet mignon with:

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Asparagus or Green Beans
• Caesar Salad
• Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls

Pro Tips

• Let steaks come to room temperature before cooking for even doneness.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—air circulation is key to searing.
• Always rest your steak after cooking; cutting too early releases juices.
• For extra flavor, marinate steaks for 30 minutes before air frying.

Recipe FAQs

Q: Can I cook frozen filet mignon in the air fryer?
Yes, but increase the cook time by 4–5 minutes and flip halfway through.

Q: Do I need to oil the basket?
A light spray of cooking oil can help prevent sticking, especially if your air fryer basket isn’t nonstick.

Q: Can I use the same method for other steaks?
Yes! Ribeye, New York strip, and sirloin work well with similar cooking times, adjusting for thickness.

Q: How do I make it more flavorful?
Try a dry rub, marinade, or compound butter to enhance the steak’s natural flavor.

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Print Recipe

My air fryer filet mignon recipe guarantees tender, succulent steak cooked in a fraction of the time as any other method. It’s foolproof and makes the perfect date night dinner!

• Author: Julia
• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 filet mignon steaks 5-6 ounces each
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
2. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper and cover in the olive oil.
3. Place the seasoned filet mignon steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness of the steak, and if it reaches 125F for rare, it’s ready to be removed from the air fryer basket. Continue cooking for an extra 1 1/2 minutes per level of doneness and check 130F for medium-rare, 140F for medium, 150F for medium-well, and 160F for well done.
5. Transfer the filet mignon steaks to a plate and add if desired, add a tablespoon of garlic butter on top of each one.

Notes

Top the steaks with 1/4 cup of garlic butter (one tablespoon on each steak). Either store-bought garlic butter or my homemade garlic butter (1/4 cup softened butter mixed with one teaspoon of chopped parsley, two cloves minced garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt).

TO STORE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

TO FREEZE: Let the steaks cool completely, then freeze them in freezer containers for up to three months.

TO REHEAT: Air fry at 300F until warm or until the internal temperature reaches 130F.