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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 or elegant dinner!
Love beef air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer meatballs, air fryer meatloaf, air fryer hamburgers, and air fryer steak recipe next.
Friends, if you ever thought filet mignon was best left to the professionals, my recipe will convince you otherwise.
By cooking filet mignon in the air fryer, you’re guaranteed a perfectly cooked cut of beef that’s tender, savory, and practically melts in your mouth. Each cut is topped with healthy portions of garlic butter, infusing every bite with garlicky goodness!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- The fastest way to cook this cut. I have a more traditional pan-seared filet mignon recipe, but when I want results FAST, I break out the air fryer.
- Guaranteed results. Ovens, grills, and stovetops can be temperamental, but the air fryer? That never fails.
- Tender and juicy. Filet mignon comes from the cow’s spine, which doesn’t work very hard (poor cow), thus making it THE most tender steak.
- Customize it. Use a marinade, swap the butter, or add fresh herbs to level up. I’ll give you more ideas later on.
Ingredients needed
- Filet mignon steaks. For this recipe, I used filets that were 5-6 ounces each. Look for USDA Prime or Choice cuts that are deep red and even in thickness so they cook at the same time.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To season.
- Olive oil. Although this steak is naturally quite fatty, I do like to add a touch of oil for the salt and pepper to stick and also to add that sizzle once it hits the air fryer.
- Garlic butter. To top the finished steaks. If possible, I prefer making this from scratch, as store-bought garlic butter always tastes off to me. Simply melt unsalted butter in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then let it firm up in the fridge.
How to cook filet mignon in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Season the steaks. Preheat the air fryer and season the steak with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Step 2- Air fry. Add the steaks to the air fryer basket and air fry for 9 minutes or until it reaches 125F for medium-rare. Stop midway to flip the steaks.
Step 3- Serve. Serve the steaks with a spoonful of garlic butter on each.
Filet mignon cooking times
I prefer filet mignon to be medium-rare as it remains tender and has more flavor. That said, you can cook it to your preferred doneness.
Use a meat thermometer to check for the right temperature:
- Rare. 120F
- Medium-rare. 130F
- Medium. 135F
- Medium-well. 140F
- Well-done. 150F
After the first 9 minutes, continue air frying in 1 ½ minute increments, stopping to check the temperature between each, until it’s 5 degrees away from your desired doneness.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Let the steaks come to room temperature. They’ll cook more quickly and more evenly if they’re at room temp.
- Pat dry the steaks with paper towels to remove any extra moisture and help a nice crust develop.
- Rest the steaks. After they’re done cooking, I like to leave them untouched for 5 minutes so the juices have time to redistribute.
Variations
- Pan-sear first. While definitely optional, I find pan-searing helps the exterior of the steaks develop a caramelized crust. Sear them in an oiled skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.
- Marinade. Use my 3-ingredient marinade in place of the salt and pepper.
- Make garlic herb butter. Sauté fresh herbs (I prefer thyme or rosemary) in the garlic butter.
Storage instructions
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.
Reheating: Air fry at 300F until warm or until the internal temperature reaches 130F.
Frequently asked questions
For this recipe, I used filet mignon steaks that were just under 2 inches in thickness. This took exactly 9 minutes, so for a 2-inch steak, you’d be looking at 10-11 minutes. Of course, use a meat thermometer to double-check.
More juicy steak dinners
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper and cover in the olive oil.
- Place the seasoned filet mignon steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- 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.
- Transfer the filet mignon steaks to a plate and add if desired, add a tablespoon of garlic butter on top of each one.
