This air fryer filet mignon is perfectly cooked every time - no grill needed! All you need are filets, salt and pepper, but you can also add a quick homemade garlic butter topping. A great 3 ingredient meal in just 20 minutes.
This filet mignon in the air fryer pairs well with easy sides like Boursin mashed potatoes and butter lettuce salad. Best of all it's easy to clean up, but still has a beautiful sear on the outside.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
In Texas we are serious about a good steak, which typically involves searing in a cast iron pan or on the grill. But as a mom, I hate the mess that creates and just want a very easy, good steak that doesn't take a lot of effort.
I first realized you can make a great air fried steak with my air fryer flank steak recipe. Then it worked well with this air fryer NY strip steak, so I decided to try an air fryer filet mignon. I think this might be my favorite one because it's:
- Easy - No splattering on your cooktop!
- Cooks perfect every time - The air fryer produces a more reliable temperature than grilling or searing.
- Perfect for winter - Great when it's too cold or rainy to grill outside.
Ingredients
See the full recipe card below for everything you need for this filet mignon recipe.
- Filet mignon - This cut of beef is from the tip of the tenderloin, making it a lean piece that's still tender. While it is a more pricey cut of beef, sometimes you can find a great deal at the butcher. I recommend choosing USDA prime filet mignon, which has a little more marbeling, for the best flavor.
- Salt and pepper - Kosher salt and fresh black pepper are recommended with these simple ingredients.
- Garlic chive compound butter - Homemade with garlic, chives, rosemary and butter, this really elevates the filet, but is completely optional.
How to Cook Filet Mignon
- Step 1: Take the steaks out of the fridge at least 10-20 minutes before cooking. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 420 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Air fry filets 9 minutes for medium rare, 10-11 min for medium. Cook 13-15 minutes for medium well. Be sure to flip halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature which should read 140F. 150 F for med well and 160 for well done.
- Step 4: Allow the steaks to rest at least 5-10 minutes before cutting into them. Top with homemade chive butter, if desired.
Herb Butter for Steaks
- Step 1: Leave the butter at room temperature until soft, about 1 hour. Do not microwave!
- Step 2: Combine the garlic, chives, rosemary, a pinch of kosher salt and freshly grated black pepper with softened butter. Stir till fully combined.
- Step 3: Place the butter on a piece of saran wrap and form into a log.
- Step 4: Roll the saran wrap together to create a small log that's about 1 ½ inches-2 inches wide. Keep it in the fridge or freezer till ready to use. Slicing off circles as needed.
What Air Fryer is Best?
For recipe testing, I used the Cosori Air Fryer Pro (5 qt) and the Cosori Dual Blaze (6 qt) to try this out in many different ways. With the Cosori Dual Blaze, you can place the steaks directly into the basket, rather than on the grate, for a better sear.
If you own an instant pot air fryer lid, I find this cooks well too.
Sometimes toaster oven combination air fryers will not air fry steaks as well. In this case, you may want to pre-sear the steaks in a cast iron pan, but that sort of defeats the purpose of it being easy!
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Filet Mignon Air Fryer Cooking Times
These were the times I found worked best in testing with my basket air fryer and 1 ¾" thick filet mignon steak. Remember this may be different for combo air fryers.
- 9 minutes for medium rare - 130-135F internal temperature.
- 10-11 minutes for medium - 140-145F internal temperature.
- 13-15 minutes for medium well - about 150F internal temperature.
If your steak is larger, you may need more time on both sides. I would add a minute on each side, checking the internal temperature at the halfway point.
Serving Suggestions
Filet mignon pairs well with so many different side dishes! A few of my favorites for a simple weeknight meal would be Boursin mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and parsnips, or an apple fennel salad.
For a larger group or a date night meal, try it with this baked creamed spinach or this crockpot cream cheese mac and cheese.
Air Fryer Filet FAQ
Yes! Steaks should be flipped halfway through to get a nice brown sear on both sides.
I found that cooking at a higher heat (420F) produced a better sear on the outside than the lower temperatures. Preheating the air fryer also helps with getting them nice and brown!
Using a meat thermometer like Thermoworks will ensure your steak is the right temperature without you having to cut into it!
I find seasoning with salt and pepper, as well as choosing a great cut of meat, provides plenty of flavor. But you can always use this 3 ingredient steak marinade if you like.
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
- 4 filet mignon, about 6 ounces each
- kosher salt and black pepper
Compound Butter
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary minced
- ½ cup softened butter
Instructions
- Pull the steaks out at least 10-20 minutes before air frying. Preheat air fryer to 420 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
- Season both sides of the filets generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Place in the air fryer for 8-9 minutes for medium rare, 10-11 min for medium. For medium well, cook 13-14 minutes. Be sure to flip steaks halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, which should read 140F for medium, 150F for medium-well, and 160F for well done.
- Allow the steaks to rest at least 5-10 minutes before cutting into them. Slice a piece of the compound butter and place on the warm steaks.
Garlic Compound Butter
- Make the chive butter by combining the garlic, chives, rosemary, a pinch of kosher salt and freshly grated black pepper with softened butter. Stir till fully combined. Place on a piece of saran wrap and roll together to create a small log that's about 1 ½ inches-2 inches wide. Place in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Filets used in testing were 1 ¾ inches thick. If yours are thinner, you may need to cut down the cooking time 1-2 minutes.
- Don't skip pre-heating the air fryer as this will help the steaks brown on the outside. Also flip halfway through.
- Use USDA prime filet mignon for the best flavor.
Normally we only do grill but I got Costco filets for a deal and wanted something easy. This was fast and delicious. Cooked 10 minutes and it turned out just the way I like my steak.
Thank you so much!