5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

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Servings: 2

17 mins

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This tender and juicy air fryer filet mignon cooks up in under 15 minutes and requires minimal prep! Serve it with your favorite sides for the perfect quick and easy meal.

Two filet mignon pieces sliced on a white plate topped with garlic butter.

This air fryer filet mignon is an easy way to cook tender, juicy steak at home without turning on the grill or stovetop. With just a few simple seasonings and a short cook time, you can have perfectly cooked filet mignon on the table in about 15 minutes. I’m also sharing exact cook times and a doneness guide so you can cook your steak just the way you like it.

If you’re looking for more protein options to make in your air fryer you’ll also have to try my air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer salmon or air fryer chicken breast.

Why I Love This Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Woman (Brittany Mullins) wearing a white shirt and sipping a green smoothie.
  • Steakhouse-quality at home: Perfectly cooked filet mignon with minimal effort and no need for a grill or stovetop.
  • Quick and easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, including rest time.
  • Customizable doneness: Simple cook times make it easy to hit medium-rare, medium or well-done.
  • Garlic butter finish: The optional garlic butter melts right into the steak for rich, savory flavor.
  • Air fryer convenience: No splatter, no babysitting, just consistent results in minutes.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients measured out to make Air Fryer Filet Mignon: salt, pepper, thyme, filet mignon steaks, garlic powder and onion powder.
  • filet mignon steaks – two 6-8 oz cuts of filet mignon work perfectly for this recipe. This cut is known for its tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • salt and pepper – essential for seasoning the steak and bringing out its natural flavors.
  • garlic powder and onion powder – these spices add depth and a savory kick to the steaks.
  • thyme – a touch of dried thyme adds a subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with the beef.

How to Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon

A woman's hand patting two filet mignons dry with a paper towel.

Step 1: Pat steaks dry with a paper towel. Allow steaks to sit out of the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to get to room temperature before cooking.

Mixed together garlic butter in a small white bowl. The butter is being mixed together with a silver spoon.

Step 2: Make garlic butter, if using, by combining softened butter with garlic, parsley and salt. Mash the mixture together until combined. Set aside.

Seasonings for the air fryer filet mignon in a small white bowl.

Step 3: Combine salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and thyme in a small bowl.

Two raw filet mignon pieces seasoned on a white plate.

Step 4: Rub seasonings on all sides of the steak.

Two uncooked filet mignon pieces in the basket of an air fryer.

Step 5: Spray air fryer basket with avocado oil and preheat to 400° F. Place steak into your air fryer basket and cook until the steaks have reached your desired level of doneness. See doneness guide below!

Two cooked filet mignon pieces in the basket of an air fryer.

Step 6: After cooking, allow steak to rest before cutting, about 5 minutes. Top with a pat of garlic butter, if desired and enjoy.

Brittany’s Tips!

  • Use a meat thermometer: Guesswork is overrated. Use a thermometer to hit the perfect doneness—125°F for rare, 140°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done.
  • Don’t skip the rest time: Letting the steak rest for 5 minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, making each bite extra tender.
  • Customize your garlic butter: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Don’t overcrowd: Make sure there’s space around the steaks in the air fryer basket so they cook evenly.
A filet mignon served on a plate alongside broccolini and a baked potato. The filet is topped with garlic butter.

How to Serve

This filet mignon is so flavorful it can stand on its own, but pairing it with the right sides takes your meal to the next level. Here are some ideas to round out your dinner:

Two filet mignon pieces in an air fryer basket topped with garlic butter.

How to Store Leftovers

Let the filet mignon cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a skillet on low heat or pop it in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to warm it through without overcooking. Avoid the microwave — it can dry out the steak and ruin that tender texture!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen filet mignon?

Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely in the fridge before cooking so it cooks evenly and stays tender.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can sear the steak on the stovetop in a hot skillet and finish it in the oven at 400°F until it reaches your preferred doneness.

Can I cook more than two steaks at once?

Yes, but don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If needed, cook the steaks in batches so they cook properly.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

This tender and juicy air fryer filet mignon cooks up in under 15 minutes and requires minimal prep! Serve it with your favorite sides for the perfect quick and easy meal.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 2
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Ingredients  

  • 2 6-8 oz filet mignon steaks
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme

Garlic Butter

  • 4 tablespoons ½ stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Pat steaks dry with a paper towel.
  • Allow steaks to sit out of the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to get to room temperature before cooking.
  • Make garlic butter, if using, by combining softened butter with garlic, parsley and salt. Mash the mixture together until combined. Set aside.
  • Combine salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and thyme in a small bowl. Rub seasonings on all sides of the steak.
  • Spray air fryer basket with avocado oil and preheat to 400° F.
  • Place steak into your air fryer basket and cook until the steaks have reached your desired level of doneness. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the right temperature. We prefer medium steaks (with an internal temp of 140°F) and cook the steaks for 6 minutes, flip then cook for an additional 6 minutes. If you prefer medium-rare, cook the steaks for less time and for a more well done steam, add some additional time.
  • After cooking, allow steak to rest before cutting, about 5 minutes. Top with a pat of garlic butter, if desired and enjoy.

Notes

Air Fryer Filet Mignon Doneness Guide at 400°F
  • Rare
    • Time: 6-8 minutes
    • Internal Temp: 120°F – 125°F
  • Medium Rare
    • Time: 8-10 minutes
    • Internal Temp: 130°F – 135°F
  • Medium
    • Time: 10-12 minutes
    • Internal Temp: 140°F – 145°F
  • Medium Well
    • Time: 12-14 minutes
    • Internal Temp: 150°F – 155°F
  • Well Done
    • Time: 14-16 minutes
    • Internal Temp: 160°F and above
 
  • These times are based on a 1.5-inch thick filet. If the steak is thicker or thinner, adjust by 1-2 minutes accordingly.
  • Resting: Let the steak rest for 5 minutes after air frying to allow juices to redistribute and for the temperature to rise slightly.
  • Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, aiming for slightly under your target, as the steak will continue to cook slightly while resting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 filet w/o garlic butter | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 12mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Equipment

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About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

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5 from 1 vote

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Cooked this for date night and it turned out better than any steak I’ve cooked on the stove. Juicy inside and nicely seared on the outside. I followed the exact instructions for medium rare, and it came out just right. Thanks!!

    1. Woo!! This makes me so happy to hear, Alex. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review. 🙂