How long to cook sirloin steak in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

400 °F

204 °C

Total time

12 min

per single layer

Flip at

6 min

flip once

Internal temp

135 °F

57 °C

A 1¼-inch sirloin cooks in 12 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C) with one flip — pull at 135 °F (57 °C) internal for medium-rare. Sirloin is leaner than ribeye, so the temperature window is narrower; an instant-read thermometer is the difference between a perfect steak and a chewy one.

Sirloin Steak in popular air fryer brands

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How to tell it’s done

Exterior is deeply seared and brown; centre is pink with no red juice pooling. Press the centre — it should yield with a firm bounce (medium).

Internal temperature: 135 °F / 57 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Brush a thin film of high-smoke-point oil on both sides; sirloin is lean and needs oil to build a crust.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with kosher salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 1 sirloin, 1¼ inch thick, 12 oz for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 400 °F (204 °C) and cook for 12 minutes total, flipping once at 6 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Verify the internal temperature reaches 135 °F / 57 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

6. 6

   Store

   Refrigerate up to 3 days. Slice thinly across the grain for sandwiches.

Watch out for

• !Sirloin is leaner than ribeye — pull at 135 °F / 57 °C for medium-rare, 140 °F for medium. Going past 145 °F turns it chewy.
• !Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. A cold steak cooks unevenly.
• !Always rest 5 minutes after cooking — slicing immediately bleeds out the juices.

FAQ about sirloin steak in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook sirloin steak at in an air fryer?

Cook sirloin steak at 400 °F (204 °C). The convection air at this temperature browns the exterior quickly without drying the centre.

How long does sirloin steak take in an air fryer?

Sirloin steak takes 12 minutes total at 400 °F (204 °C). Flip the food once at 6 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to flip sirloin steak in an air fryer?

Yes — flip sirloin steak once at 6 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for sirloin steak?

Preheating is optional for sirloin steak — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

What internal temperature is sirloin steak safe to eat?

Sirloin steak should reach an internal temperature of 135 °F (57 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.