Air fryers, with their incredible high-heat engines, are so popular these days. They are small convection ovens that mimic deep frying, that is why a lot of people are fascinated by them. From crispy baked potatoes to bacon, mini calzones, mozzarella sticks, and sweet treats like chocolate chip cookies, there are so many things that you can do with this amazing cooking appliance. Some people are even using it to cook steak.

What? Steak? That’s right! And you probably have been doing it, too. How was the result? Horrible?

Steak is easy to make the conventional way, and I really think it’s simpler to do so. Tossing an expensive cut of steak in an air fryer is only complicating things. And if you are not sure of what you are doing, your steak may end up getting thrown away in the garbage.

Steak Won’t Sear

In order for you to cook the perfect steak, it needs a good sear, Unfortunately, that’s the biggest downside of this particular cooking equipment. As in ZERO sear!

Steak Lacks the Golden-Brown Crust

Since you don’t get a good sear, you can’t expect your steak to have that beautiful, golden-brown crust. So what’s the use? It’s just wasting the meat!

Steak Doesn’t Look Good

Like what we have mentioned above, you won’t be able to get that nice crust when using an air fryer. That right there makes the steak unappealing. Would you like to serve a dull-looking piece of meat to your friends and family? Of course not!

Meat May End Up Dry and Burnt

Without that good sear, the steak will definitely dry up and may even get burnt. That’s probably the saddest part of utilizing a seemingly amazing air fryer.

Air Fryer Can Only Accommodate One Steak

If you are cooking only for yourself, an air fryer may work, quantitywise. But if you want to make a huge batch, that’s impossible with an air fryer because it can only accommodate one steak. You are lucky if you can get two in there.

Flavor Is Not the Same

Again, without a good sear, the flavor of your steak will never be the same. You’d lose your appetite. That’s for sure!

It Takes Longer When Cooking Several Steak

Since an air fryer can only accommodate one, you’d have to cook your steak one at a time. So, yes, do the math if you want to cook a dozen steak!

It’s Just Impractical

If you try to calculate the amount of time it would take you to cook even 3 or 4 steak in an air fryer compared to when you use a traditional pan, the latter will definitely be more practical.

It’s Inconvenient

Imagine having just bought an air fryer and you want to use it for the very first time cooking steak. With all the things that we have highlighted above, it’s going to be a huge inconvenience.

A Waste of Money

Cooking a steak in an air fryer is just a waste of money, period. Not to mention your time as well. Steak does not come cheap, so you might as well cook it using the right equipment – a simple pan.

The Bottom Line

Air fryers are amazing. There is no question about that. But when it comes to cooking steak, I highly recommend that you set aside your air fryer and use a regular pan. Or, for better results, invest in a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet.