Break out your air fryer and ready yourself for Filet Mignon! This is a foolproof way to cook this regal cut of beef.
Melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and the most delectable flavor: that is a filet mignon, right? Many of us save that cut of steak for special occasions (partly because it can be pretty pricey)–I know I used to, but that’s all changed now with this Air Fryer Filet Mignon recipe. Trust this method of cooking filets to produce perfection every time and with that kind of confidence in your pocket, it’s totally worth it to dig a little deeper into your pockets and treat yourself: you and whomever else you’re cooking for are worth it!
Filets are a small, thick cut of steak that, when cooked properly, like in this air fryer method, can be cut with a butter knife–they’re that tender. And the French word “mignon” translates to “tender,” but it also means “dainty,” which does describe its size compared to other types of steak. It also translates to “cute,” which is now the way I think of filet mignon–as a really cute steak!
This recipe comes with something that takes even this incredible steak up a level: a slice of herbed garlic butter on top. Softened butter made with garlic, onion powder, or dried/fresh herbs, and then rolled into a log and chilled is often called compound butter. It’s so easy to make and brings another layer of incredible flavor. Just wait until it melts over the hot steak: you’ll never eat any kind of steak without some tasty compound butter on top again.
Tips on how to make the best air-fryer filet mignon
One of the (many!) great things about cooking filet mignon in the air fryer is that it comes out perfectly every time, as long as you follow a few golden rules about cooking steak (yes, all steaks need to be cooked this way!). First, even though it may go against your best instincts, take the steaks out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before you’re ready to cook; they will be safe for that amount of time and cold steaks take longer to cook.
Next, in order to get that crust we love, make sure you pat the steaks dry before seasoning them. Then set them in the air fryer basket and set your timer for desired doneness. If you like, you can flip the steaks halfway through the cooking time; your steaks will cook through without the flipping, but it will help get the sear on both sides. Finally, despite the enticing aroma that is going to make you want to dig in immediately, let your steaks rest for at least 5 minutes so the delicious juices will distribute evenly.
Ingredients
- 2 filet mignon steaks (8 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup butter, softened (or vegan butter for dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (increase to 1/2 teaspoon if using unsalted butter)
How to Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Step 1: Allow the butter and filet mignon steaks to reach room temperature, approximately 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the garlic herb butter by mixing together softened butter, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl until well combined. Place the mixture onto parchment paper, shaping it into a log. Wrap it up and refrigerate.
Step 3: Brush the filet mignon steaks with olive oil on both sides and season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, 11.5-13 minutes for medium-well, or 14 minutes for well done. Use a meat thermometer to ensure desired doneness (ranging from 125°F for a rare steak to 165°F for a well done steak).
Step 5: After cooking, let the filet mignons rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve each steak with a slice of the chilled garlic herb butter on top.
FAQs & Tips
The cooked filet mignon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 4 months (thaw frozen filets overnight in the fridge).
Because they’re tired! But seriously, the reason for letting meat (not just steaks) rest after cooking is to give the juices a chance to distribute evenly throughout. You’ll notice that if you cut into the filet right after removing it from the air fryer, a lot of the juices will run out. So let it rest!
Almost any cut of steak–sirloins, ribeyes, strips–will come out perfectly in the air fryer. For bigger cuts, you may have to do them one at a time, though (depending on the size of your air fryer basket), because crowding prevents them from cooking evenly, and can prevent them from forming that delicious crusty sear.
Serving Suggestions
Is there anything a beautifully cooked filet mignon doesn’t go with? I don’t think so. Stay with the classics by serving it with Twice Baked Potatoes with Horseradish and Chives and a crisp Kale Caesar Salad with Crisp Parmesan Croutons or creamy Potatoes au Gratin and crunchy Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Basically, any kind of potato and any kind of green vegetable are going to make a perfect meal with filet mignon. But you can branch out and serve these steaks with Broccoli Alfredo or a side of Roasted Kabocha Squash.
If you have any leftover Air Fryer Filet Mignon, there’s so much you can do with it (besides just eating it straight out of the fridge!) Try slices of filet over this Mediterranean Rice Salad or Pesto Pasta Salad. Or make an open-face steak sandwich by laying sliced filet on half of a Buttermilk Biscuit and then topping it with Arugula Caprese Salad–so delicious!
You can also turn your kitchen into a high-end steak house by topping these filets with Sauteed Shrimp or do your own version of Steak Oscar by topping them with a Crab Cake, some Grilled Asparagus, and a drizzle of Béarnaise sauce.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
- 2 filet mignon steaks 8 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup butter softened (or vegan butter for dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt increase to 1/2 teaspoon if using unsalted butter
Instructions
- Allow the butter and filet mignon steaks to reach room temperature, approximately 30 minutes.
- Prepare the garlic herb butter by mixing together softened butter, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl until well combined. Place the mixture onto parchment paper, shaping it into a log. Wrap it up and refrigerate.
- Brush the filet mignon steaks with olive oil on both sides and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned steaks in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 9-10 minutes for rare, 10-11 minutes for medium-rare, 11-12 minutes for medium, 11.5-13 minutes for medium-well, or 14 minutes for well-done. Use a meat thermometer to ensure desired doneness.
- After cooking, let the filet mignons rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve each steak with a slice of the chilled garlic herb butter on top.
