Learn how to cook filet mignon in the air fryer in less than 20 minutes! The foolproof cooking method and temperature guide yield an effortless yet impressive steak dinner every time. Top your filets with homemade garlic butter and enjoy!
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When you need an impressive yet foolproof meal for date night or a special occasion, make this Air Fryer Filet Mignon recipe.
The mouthwatering steaks are ready in less than 20 minutes and there’s almost no cleanup! A dollop of homemade garlic butter on top is the perfect finishing touch, adding luscious and savory flavors to every bite.
I love using my air fryer to make crispy chicken tenders or a quick eggplant parmesan, but it’s also a pro at cooking perfectly tender and juicy steak in no time. Typically, the stovetop or sous vide are my go-to methods for making melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon but one try in the air fryer and I was hooked!
The process is simple:
- Make the compound butter
- Air fry the steaks to your perfect temperature
- Dig in!
This quick and mess-free cooking method never sacrifices flavor and always gives me steakhouse-quality results that impress my guests.
Ingredients needed
- Filet mignon – I made this recipe with four 6-ounce filet mignons. The garlic herb butter perfectly complements the steak’s natural rich and beefy flavors but you could season them with salt and pepper or a steak dry rub before cooking if you want.
- Compound butter – A pat of homemade compound butter is one of my favorite toppings for steak. It’s a breeze to make from scratch using unsalted butter, fresh parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
How to cook filet mignon in an air fryer
Start by making the compound butter. Stir the softened butter, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper together, then dump the mixture in the middle of a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Roll the butter into a log, then place it in the fridge or freezer to firm up.
Meanwhile, place the filet mignon steaks in the air fryer basket and cook until they reach your ideal doneness (see the steak temperature guide below).
Filet mignon temperature guide
I prefer medium-rare filet mignon because that’s when I feel it tastes best and has the most succulent texture. Refer to this guide and use an instant-read thermometer to help you cook your steaks to your desired doneness:
- Rare: 120ºF to 125ºF
- Medium Rare: 125ºF to 130ºF
- Medium: 133ºF to 140ºF
- Medium-Well: 145ºF to 150ºF
- Well-Done: 160ºF
Pro tip: I recommend taking the steak out of the air fryer when it’s about 5 degrees away from your desired internal temperature. As it’s resting off the heat, it will come up to temperature.
Tips and tricks
- Place the butter on the kitchen counter for at least 30 minutes before making the compound butter. Soft, room temperature butter is easier to combine with add-ins.
- The same goes for the steaks! If they’re chilled from the fridge, let them come down to room temperature to help them cook evenly and quickly.
- Cook the steaks in two batches if they look crowded in the air fryer basket.
- You’ll know the steaks are done cooking when a meat thermometer inserted in the steaks reads 125ºF to 130ºF (for medium-rare).
- Customize the flavor of the compound butter with all kinds of fresh herbs, citrus zest, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and other savory mix-ins. Check out my Compound Butter recipe for more ideas.
FAQs
Filet mignon is cut from the small end of the beef tenderloin. It’s one of the most expensive cuts of steak because it’s very juicy, beefy, and tender.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks and your desired doneness. In a 400ºF air fryer, 1 to 1.5-inch thick steaks typically take between 9 and 11 minutes to reach medium-rare or medium. Thicker steaks could take up to 15 minutes.
Yes, you can air fry frozen filet mignon if you want. For the best results, I recommend letting the steaks thaw completely in the fridge beforehand.
Absolutely! Once the compound butter is wrapped in parchment or plastic and formed into a log shape, keep it in the fridge for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months. If frozen, let the log soften for about 30 minutes at room temperature so it’s easier to slice.
Serving suggestions
You can easily upgrade this impressive meal by pairing it with even more flavorful steak sauces, such as:
- Bearnaise Sauce
- Bordelaise Sauce
- Steak Diane Sauce
- Red Wine Sauce
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- MORE → 17 Sauces for Steak
As for sides, filet mignon is best served with classic steakhouse side dishes. These are my favorites:
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Sous Vide Asparagus
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Lemon Risotto
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Healthy Wedge Salad
- Beet Risotto
- More → 50+ Sides for Filet Mignon
More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Air Fryer Bratwurst
- Air Fryer Peppers
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
- MORE → 35+ Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce filet mignons
Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic (grated or minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
For the Garlic Butter
- Combine softened butter with parsley, garlic and salt & pepper. Arrange the butter in the center of a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Roll the butter into a log. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up. Slice the butter into equal sized slices for topping your steaks.
To Cook the Steaks
- Preheat your air fryer to 400-degrees.
- Place steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 9-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for your steak’s ideal doneness: 120-125°F for rare, 125-130°F for medium-rare, 133-140°F for medium, 145-150°F for medium-well, and 160°F for well-done.
- Transfer steaks to a plate and top with the compound butter.
- Enjoy.
Notes
Filet mignon temperature guide
- Rare: 120ºF to 125ºF
- Medium Rare: 125ºF to 130ºF
- Medium: 133ºF to 140ºF
- Medium-Well: 145ºF to 150ºF
- Well-Done: 160ºF
looks too tempting to ignore, love a great filet and never tried air frying one before, a great excuse to get my air fryer out, so thank you!
Thanks Sabrina! I hope you enjoy it!