Foods compared
15 Beef Cuts in the Air Fryer, Compared
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Beef in an air fryer ranges from 8 minutes for steak bites to 40 minutes for corned beef. The 7 steak recipes all cook in 7 to 14 minutes, typically at 200°C / 400°F. Burgers, meatballs and meatloaf are different: mince has to reach 71°C / 160°F all the way through.
Key findings
- 7 of the 15 cuts cook at 200°C / 400°F.
- 6 recipes use 71°C / 160°F, the safe figure for minced beef, and 7 use 63°C / 145°F for whole cuts.
- 2 recipes give a lower figure for steak. That is a doneness preference for medium-rare, not a safety temperature.
- A steak costs about 9.2p or 6.4¢ in electricity to cook, and roast beef about 27.0p or 18.8¢.
- Steak Bites8 min
- Cheeseburger Sliders9 min
- Sirloin Steak10 min
- Flank Steak10 min
- Carne Asada10 min
- Steak11 min
- Filet Mignon11 min
- Burgers11 min
- Meatballs11 min
- Ribeye Steak12 min
- Meatloaf24 min
- Beef Short Ribs30 min
- Beef Tenderloin30 min
- Roast Beef38 min
- Corned Beef40 min
All 15 cuts
| Food | Temperature | Time | Internal temperature | Flip or shake | Energy (UK) | Energy (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steak Bites | 200°C / 400°F | 7-9 min | 57°C / 135°F | Shake halfway | 7.2p | 5.0¢ |
| Cheeseburger Sliders | 190°C / 375°F | 8-10 min | 71°C / 160°F | Flip halfway | 7.9p | 5.5¢ |
| Sirloin Steak | 200°C / 400°F | 8-12 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 8.6p | 6.0¢ |
| Flank Steak | 200°C / 400°F | 8-12 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 8.6p | 6.0¢ |
| Carne Asada | 200°C / 400°F | 8-12 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 8.6p | 6.0¢ |
| Steak | 200°C / 400°F | 8-14 min | 54°C / 130°F | Flip halfway | 9.2p | 6.4¢ |
| Filet Mignon | 200°C / 400°F | 9-13 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 9.2p | 6.4¢ |
| Burgers | 190°C / 375°F | 10-12 min | 71°C / 160°F | Flip halfway | 9.2p | 6.4¢ |
| Meatballs | 190°C / 375°F | 10-12 min | 71°C / 160°F | Shake halfway | 9.2p | 6.4¢ |
| Ribeye Steak | 200°C / 400°F | 10-14 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 9.9p | 6.9¢ |
| Meatloaf | 180°C / 350°F | 20-28 min | 71°C / 160°F | No need to flip | 17.8p | 12.4¢ |
| Beef Short Ribs | 180°C / 360°F | 25-35 min | 71°C / 160°F | Flip halfway | 21.7p | 15.1¢ |
| Beef Tenderloin | 190°C / 375°F | 25-35 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 21.7p | 15.1¢ |
| Roast Beef | 180°C / 360°F | 30-45 min | 63°C / 145°F | Flip halfway | 27.0p | 18.8¢ |
| Corned Beef | 175°C / 350°F | 35-45 min | 71°C / 160°F | Flip halfway | 28.3p | 19.7¢ |
Steak, mince and joints are three different jobs
A steak is cooked hot and fast so the outside browns before the middle goes past the doneness you want. Thickness changes the time far more than the cut does, so use the range as a guide and a thermometer as the decision.
Mince is a safety question, not a preference. Grinding spreads surface bacteria through the meat, so burgers, meatballs and meatloaf need 71°C / 160°F in the centre however you like your steak.
Joints are cooked cooler and for longer so the heat has time to reach the centre. They also need resting, which finishes the cooking and keeps the juices in when you slice.
How these figures were worked out
The figures are counted from the 304 recipes published on RecipeAirFryer.com on 2026-10-08. Each recipe has one temperature, a time range, a prep time, an ingredient list and a serving count, and those fields are what is counted here.
The times and temperatures are the starting points given on each recipe page for a standard basket air fryer. They are not laboratory measurements, and air fryers differ between models, so treat the counts as a description of this recipe set, not of every air fryer.
The USDA safe minimum is 63°C / 145°F with a 3-minute rest for steaks and roasts, and 71°C / 160°F for minced beef.
Energy cost uses a 1,500 W air fryer with a 3-minute preheat at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, October to December 2026) and 18.31¢ per kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, July 2026). It is an upper limit, because the element cycles once the basket is hot.
Sources
- Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (26.32p per kWh, GB average, Direct Debit)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (18.31 cents per kWh, U.S. residential average, July 2026)
You may quote these figures with a link to this page. If you spot an error, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does steak take in an air fryer?
8-14 min at 200°C / 400°F for a steak about 2.5 cm thick, flipped halfway. Thicker steaks need the longer end. Rest it for 5 minutes before cutting.
What temperature should a burger reach in an air fryer?
71°C / 160°F in the centre. Minced beef needs cooking through, unlike a steak, because grinding spreads surface bacteria into the middle.
Can you cook a roast in an air fryer?
Yes, if it fits with space around it. Roast beef takes 30-45 min at 180°C / 360°F, plus resting time.