If you're like me and constantly on the lookout for quick, delicious, and healthy meal options, then you're in for a treat. I'm excited to share my go-to recipe for air fryer skirt steak – a mouthwatering dish that's ready in a flash and packed with flavor.
I’ve tried cooking countless steak cuts in the air fryer, but skirt steak proved to be the best. I cook it at least once a week. I also experimented with various seasonings and cooking temperatures until I found the best combo.
Picture-tender, juicy skirt steak with a perfect sear.
So, let's dive right in and discover how to make this culinary masterpiece.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes, plus 5 minutes of rest time
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound skirt steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Brush the skirt steak with olive oil.
- Take out a small bowl and mix all the ingredients.
- Rub the skirt steak thoroughly on both sides.
- Cut the steak lengthwise so it fits in the air fryer.
- Place the steak in the air fryer basket and fry for six minutes. Flip the steak halfway through. Cook until the steak reaches 145 degrees [1].
- Once the steak is done, place it on a cutting board and let it rest for five minutes for a tender skirt steak. Serve with soy sauce.
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Recipe Notes
Here’s what to keep in mind when making air fryer skirt steak for the best results:
- Cut the skirt steak into even sizes so it cooks evenly.
- Make sure to cook skirt steak in a preheated air fryer. This helps develop a nice crust on the steak.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, or the air fryer skirt steak won’t cook evenly. Each piece needs to have some space so the hot air can circulate.
- Let the air fryer skirt steak rest for five minutes before cutting it. This ensures the juices are redistributed, and you have a juicy and tender steak.
- Season the steak to enhance its flavor. A blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder works well, but you can always add your favorite steak seasoning. Add some chili powder or cayenne pepper if you want a spicy air fryer skirt steak.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the steak’s internal temperature. It’s best to cook it from medium rare to medium, which is around 130 to 135 degrees.
- When you slice skirt steak, do it against the grain so the meat is easier to chew.
- Pat dry the steak with a paper towel before cooking in the air fryer. This ensures perfectly cooked steak with a good crust.
- Skirt steak doesn’t have a lot of fat, so cooking skirt steak at a high temperature is best.
- Store leftover steak in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three to four days. Reheat leftover skirt steak in the air fryer or in the microwave.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 300
- Total Carbs: 4g
- Protein: 17g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
What to Serve With Air Fryer Skirt Steak?
Here’s what to serve with air fryer skirt steak:
- Garlic mashed potatoes — Creamy mashed potatoes seasoned with roasted garlic are a classic choice and work with many steak and air fryer recipes.
- Grilled vegetables — Fire up the grill or use your air fryer to prepare a mix of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus. Drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle some herbs, and season with salt and pepper.
- Crispy Brussels sprouts — Make them roasted or air-fried Brussels sprouts with a hint of balsamic glaze.
- Mixed green salad — With a light vinaigrette dressing, veggies such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and mixed greens provide a refreshing flavor to the meal.
- Creamy mushroom sauce — Drizzle it over the steak for added depth of flavor.
- Crusty bread or dinner roll — Serve warm bread with butter or olive oil for more carbs.
What’s the Difference Between Skirt Steak and Flank Steak?
The difference between skirt steak and flank steak is that skirt steak is thinner and has more fat than flank steaks. Skirt steak comes from the cow’s diaphragm. It’s a more popular cut compared to flank steaks.
Flank steaks are cut from underneath the cow’s loin area. It’s wider and thinner than skirt steak, which is long and skinny.
“Both cuts have a nice beefy flavor. But, because they have a higher fat content, skirt steaks tend to be more flavorful than flank steaks (whether you have the inside or outside variety, they’ll both be relatively the same).”
- Seven Sons Farm
Skirt steak cooks more quickly than a flank steak and absorbs marinade better because the flank steak has a more tightly woven grain structure.
Overall, these two cuts are often used interchangeably, and you can also make air fryer flank steak if you’re out of skirt steaks.
FAQs
How Do You Cook Skirt Steak so It Isn't Tough?
You cook a skirt steak so it isn’t tough by pounding it with a mallet to tenderize it. Then, cook it quickly at a high temperature and let it rest for five minutes after cooking.
Should Skirt Steak Be Cooked Fast or Slow?
Skirt steak should be cooked fast over high heat. You can grill it, sear it in a skillet, broil it in the oven, air fry it, or cook it in a smoker.
Do I Add Oil to the Steak in the Air Fryer?
No, you don’t need to add oil to the steak in the air fryer. Air frying doesn’t require oil especially if the steak has some fat content. However, more air fryer recipes call for oil because it can enhance the flavor and add crispiness to the steak when you air fry.
References:
- https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/10/03/cooking-meat-it-done-yet
