Indulging in a perfectly cooked filet mignon is a culinary experience like no other. And now, with the advent of air fryers, achieving that ideal steak is easier than ever. So how to cook filet mignons in air fryers? As you will soon discover, the steps of cooking filet mignon in air fryers are easy and intuitive. Without further do, let’s embark on our culinary journey of making filet mignon in air fryers!
The Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Filet Mignon
Before diving into the essentials of air fryer filet mignon, we need to justify our choice of air fryers. After all, why should we prefer air fryers over more traditional methods of cooking?
The truth is, air fryers boast numerous advantages that place them above traditional methods:
- Healthier Cooking: Air fryers require little to no oil, significantly reducing the fat content compared to traditional frying methods. This means you can enjoy a juicy filet mignon with fewer calories and less saturated fat.
- Faster Cooking Times: Air fryers cook food faster than conventional ovens, making them perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving a quick, yet gourmet, meal.
- Even Cooking: Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, providing even cooking and ensuring your filet mignon reaches a consistent level of doneness.
- Easy Cleanup: Air fryers are typically easier to clean than traditional frying pans or grills, with many parts being dishwasher safe. This means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your perfectly cooked steak.
Gather the Essentials
With our preference for air fryers duly justified, we can get down to the actual work. The first step is to gather the essential ingredients and tools. Typically, you’ll need the following items as a baseline for your upcoming cooking adventure:
- Filet Mignon: Select high-quality filet mignon steaks from your local butcher or grocery store. Aim for steaks that are at least 1 to 1.5 inches thick for optimal cooking.
- Seasonings: Enhance the flavor of your filet mignon with your favorite seasonings. Popular choices include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Cooking Oil: While air fryers require less oil than traditional frying methods, a light coating of cooking oil (such as olive oil or avocado oil) can help achieve a crispy exterior on your steak.
- Butter: Butter is used to form the rich, creamy base of garlic herb butter, which is for enhancing the flavor profile of our filet mignon.
- Air Fryer: Ensure your air fryer is clean and ready for use.
- Meat Thermometer: A reliable meat thermometer is essential for checking the internal temperature of your filet mignon to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness.
- Tongs or a Spatula: Use tongs or a spatula to safely handle your filet mignon when placing it in the air fryer and flipping it during cooking.
The Process of Cooking Filet Mignon in an Air Fryer
Mastering the art of cooking filet mignon in an air fryer is a culinary journey worth undertaking. Let's break down the process of how to cook filet in air fryers to ensure mouthwatering results.
Preparing the Filet Mignon and Butter
Begin by allowing your filet mignon and butter to come to room temperature.
Making the Butter
In a bowl, combine softened butter with a sprinkle of garlic powder, finely chopped rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated. Transfer the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper and roll it into a log shape. Place the butter log in the refrigerator to firm up while you prepare the steak.
Seasoning
Once the butter is chilling, prepare your filet mignon by applying a light coating of cooking oil, followed by a generous seasoning of salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings of your choice on both sides of the steak.
Air Frying
Layer the seasoned filet mignon in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (about 204°C). How long to cook filet mignon in air fryers at 400°F (about 204°C)? The answer is you should set the timer according to your desired level of doneness:
- 10 minutes for rare;
- 11 minutes for air fryer filet mignon medium rare; 12 minutes for medium;
- 13 minutes for medium well;
- 14 minutes for well done.
Remember to flip the steaks halfway through the cooking time for even results. As the timer approaches the end, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak for your desired doneness: 120°F (about 49°C) for rare, 130°F (about 54°C) for medium rare, 140°F (about 60°C) for medium, 150°F (about 65°C) for medium well, and 160°F (about 71°C) for well done.
Resting
Once the cooking is complete, carefully remove the filet mignon from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula. Allow the steaks to rest for 3 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute evenly.
Serving
Plate your perfectly cooked filet mignon and top each steak with a slice of the chilled garlic herb butter from the refrigerator. Watch as the butter melts, imparting its aromatic flavors to the succulent steak. Bon appétit!
Additional Tips for Great Filet Mignon
Achieving steak perfection in the air fryer requires attention to detail and a few extra tricks up your sleeve. Aside from detailed instructions on how to cook a filet mignon in an air fryer, here are some additional tips to ensure your filet mignon turns out impeccably every time:
- Choose Quality Meat: Opt for high-quality filet mignon from trusted sources. Look for well-marbled steaks with a deep red color, as this indicates tenderness and flavor.
- Pat Dry: Before seasoning, pat the filet mignon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This ensures better searing and browning during cooking.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Get creative with your seasoning blends. Try different combinations of herbs, spices, and rubs to customize the flavor of your filet mignon.
- Slice Against the Grain: When slicing your filet mignon, be sure to cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Conclusion
Now you know how to cook filet mignon in air fryers. The process is surprisingly simple. By following our filet mignon recipe air fryer, you can effortlessly achieve steakhouse-quality results in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, fire up your air fryer, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor every succulent bite of perfectly cooked filet mignon with our guide tonight!
