Here is my favorite air fryer filet mignon recipe, with a simple seasoning blend, quick cooking method, and tips for getting that perfect steakhouse-quality crust every time.
This air fryer filet mignon has become our go-to for special dinners at home. I love how it cooks so evenly and quickly, giving us restaurant-quality steak without the hassle or expense of going out.
Why You’ll Love This Filet Mignon
- Restaurant-quality results at home – The air fryer gives you perfectly cooked, tender filet mignon with a beautiful seared crust that rivals any steakhouse.
- Quick cooking time – Ready in just 14-25 minutes, this recipe lets you enjoy a fancy dinner on busy weeknights without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – With just salt, pepper, and olive oil, you can create an impressive meal without hunting down specialty seasonings or complicated marinades.
- Foolproof method – The air fryer takes the guesswork out of cooking steak, making it easy to get consistent results every time, even if you’re not confident with traditional pan-searing.
- Special occasion worthy – This recipe turns an ordinary Tuesday into date night at home, perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, or whenever you want to treat yourself to something special.
What Kind of Filet Mignon Should I Use?
When shopping for filet mignon, look for steaks that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick – this gives you the best results in the air fryer since thinner cuts can overcook quickly. You can choose between USDA Prime, Choice, or Select grades, with Prime being the most tender and flavorful, though Choice grade works great too and is more budget-friendly. If you’re buying from the butcher counter, ask them to cut the steaks to your preferred thickness, and don’t worry if they’re not perfectly uniform since you can adjust cooking times slightly. Make sure to let your steaks come to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before cooking, as this helps them cook more evenly in the air fryer.
Options for Substitutions
While filet mignon is the star here, you can make some smart swaps if needed:
- Filet mignon: If filet mignon isn’t in the budget, try ribeye or New York strip steaks – they’ll cook beautifully in the air fryer too. Just adjust cooking time since these cuts are usually a bit thicker.
- Olive oil: Any neutral oil works great here – avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even melted butter will give you that nice sear. Avocado oil is actually perfect for high-heat cooking.
- Salt and pepper: The classic combo is hard to beat, but feel free to use your favorite steak seasoning blend, garlic powder, or even a Montreal steak seasoning for extra flavor.
- Steak thickness: If your steaks are thinner (3-4 ounces), reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes per side. For thicker cuts (8+ ounces), you’ll need to add a few extra minutes.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when air frying filet mignon is not letting the steaks come to room temperature before cooking, which leads to uneven cooking with a cold center and overcooked edges – take them out of the fridge 30-45 minutes beforehand.
Another common error is overcooking these lean, tender cuts since they can go from perfect to tough very quickly in the high heat of an air fryer, so use a meat thermometer and aim for 130°F for medium-rare.
Don’t skip preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes, and avoid overcrowding the basket since proper air circulation is key to getting that nice seared exterior.
Finally, let your steaks rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, which makes all the difference between a dry steak and a juicy one.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Filet Mignon?
Since filet mignon is such a special cut of beef, I love pairing it with classic steakhouse sides that really complement the rich, tender meat. Creamy mashed potatoes or roasted fingerling potatoes are always a hit, and they soak up any juices from the steak perfectly. For vegetables, try roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, or a simple Caesar salad to balance out the richness of the beef. Don’t forget a pat of herb butter or a drizzle of garlic aioli on top of the steak to make it feel extra restaurant-worthy!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: Cooked filet mignon keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to slice it up and use the leftovers for steak salads or quick steak sandwiches throughout the week. Just make sure to let it cool completely before putting it away.
Freeze: You can freeze cooked filet mignon for up to 3 months, though the texture won’t be quite as tender as fresh. Wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Warm Up: To bring leftover filet mignon back to life, let it come to room temperature first, then warm it gently in a skillet over low heat for just a minute or two per side. You can also slice it thin and add it to warm dishes like pasta or stir-fries where it’ll heat through quickly without overcooking.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 9-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 14-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 900-1050
- Protein: 120-140 g
- Fat: 45-55 g
- Carbohydrates: 0-1 g
Ingredients
- 4 filet mignon cuts (5 to 6 oz each)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and allow it to preheat fully so your steak cooks evenly and gets a good sear.
Step 2: Season and Oil the Steaks
- 4 filet mignon cuts (5 to 6 oz each)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Pat the filet mignon cuts dry with paper towels.
Season both sides of the steaks evenly with salt and ground black pepper.
Drizzle the olive oil over the steaks and rub it in to coat all sides.
This step helps achieve a flavorful crust during cooking.
I like to gently press the seasoning into the meat to ensure it sticks well.
Step 3: Air Fry the Steaks
- seasoned filet mignon steaks from Step 2
Arrange the seasoned and oiled filet mignon steaks in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 9 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
For best results, avoid overcrowding the basket.
Step 4: Check Doneness and Rest the Steaks
Remove the steaks from the air fryer and use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature.
For rare, aim for 125°F; for medium-rare, 130°F; for medium, 140°F; for medium-well, 150°F; and for well done, 160°F.
If needed, return the steaks to the air fryer for an additional 1 1/2 minutes per extra level of doneness.
Let the steaks rest on a plate for several minutes before serving.
I let my filet mignon rest for about 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
Homemade Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
- 4 filet mignon cuts (5 to 6 oz each)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and allow it to preheat fully so your steak cooks evenly and gets a good sear.
- Pat the filet mignon cuts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the steaks evenly with salt and ground black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the steaks and rub it in to coat all sides. This step helps achieve a flavorful crust during cooking. I like to gently press the seasoning into the meat to ensure it sticks well.
- Arrange the seasoned and oiled filet mignon steaks in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 9 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. For best results, avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Remove the steaks from the air fryer and use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature. For rare, aim for 125°F; for medium-rare, 130°F; for medium, 140°F; for medium-well, 150°F; and for well done, 160°F. If needed, return the steaks to the air fryer for an additional 1 1/2 minutes per extra level of doneness. Let the steaks rest on a plate for several minutes before serving. I let my filet mignon rest for about 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
