You can make tender, buttery Air Fryer Filet Mignon at home in less than 30 minutes. It's the perfect steak for busy weeknight dinners yet fancy enough for date night, holidays, and other special occasions.
Filet mignon is one of the most prized cuts of meat in the world. This delicious cut is known for its exceptional tenderness and mild, rich flavor.
This splurge-worthy cut of meat is often one of the most expensive items on restaurant menus. And it's often reserved as a special occasion meat.
But if you have an air fryer, you can cook the perfect air fryer steak in no time at all -- for a fraction of the cost!
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🥩 What is filet mignon?
Filet mignon is a cut of beef that comes from the tenderloin area of the cow. The tenderloin is a long, cylindrical muscle located along the spine, extending from the ribs to the sirloin.
Filet mignon specifically refers to a small, round, and exceptionally tender portion of the tenderloin. It is typically cut into individual steak portions.
This cut is prized for its tenderness, minimal connective tissue, and delicate flavor. It's one of the most sought-after and premium cuts of beef.
It's often used in upscale restaurants and fine dining establishments due to its exquisite qualities. But it's also so easy for you to cook a delicious filet mignon at home!
🌟 Why you should cook filet mignon in an air fryer
You know I love my air fryer, but my husband thought I was crazy when I told him I was cooking filet mignon in the air fryer.
The results speak for themselves! I was truly impressed with how well it cooked this luscious cut of beef. The filet was so remarkably tender and juicy.
Here are a few reasons why you should totally cook filet mignon in an air fryer:
- Even cooking - Air fryers use convection heat to circulate hot air around the food, ensuring even cooking. This can help you achieve a consistent level of doneness throughout the juicy steak.
- Speed - Air fryers typically cook food faster than traditional methods. This recipe has a cooking time of just under 30 minutes!
- Less oil - You can achieve a crispy exterior on your filet mignon with minimal oil when using an air fryer. This is a great option if you're looking for a healthier cooking method.
- Easy cleanup - Air fryers are known for being relatively easy to clean compared to traditional pan frying methods, which often involve dealing with hot oil.
- Precision - Many air fryers come with temperature and time settings, allowing you to precisely control the cooking process. This can help you achieve your desired level of doneness, whether it's rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Filet Mignon - You will need two filet mignons, about 6 ounces each.
- Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil to coat each steak.
- Rosemary - The measurement is for fresh chopped rosemary but you can use dried rosemary.
- Paprika - Ground paprika adds a subtle depth of flavor to the seasoning.
- Garlic powder - For a kick of flavor.
- Salt and pepper - Use kosher salt and ground black pepper.
Substitutions
- You can substitute an equal amount of Montreal steak seasoning or your favorite steak seasoning for the total measurement of this recipe's separate seasonings.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
A full list of ingredients and detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here's a photo step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect steak.
- Rub olive oil onto all sides of the steak.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the seasoning.
- Rub the seasoning evenly over all sides of both steaks.
4. Place the steaks into the air fryer basket.
5. Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes.
6. Flip the steaks over, and air fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, until steaks reach your desired doneness.
7. Transfer steaks to a plate and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
👩🏻🍳 Air frying tips
- Filet mignon is a tender cut of beef. If you overcook it, you'll lose a lot of its natural juiciness and tenderness.
- You should always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking.
- And remember that every air fryer is different. This means, some may cook faster than others. Experiment and adjust cooking times and temperatures to suit your particular air fryer and preferences for the best results.
Recipe FAQs
Filet mignon and beef tenderloin are related cuts of meat. Beef tenderloin is the larger, whole muscle that runs along the cow's spine, while filet mignon is a specific portion of that muscle, typically cut into individual steaks. Filet mignon is renowned for its exceptional tenderness and mild flavor, making it a premium choice for steak enthusiasts. Beef tenderloin, on the other hand, offers various cuts and preparation options beyond filet mignon, such as Chateaubriand or roasts. Both cuts come from the same muscle, but filet mignon refers to a specific, smaller, and often more expensive portion of the tenderloin.
Filet mignon and skirt steak are distinct cuts of beef with notable differences. Filet mignon is a small, round, and exceptionally tender cut, known for its tenderness and mild flavor. It comes from the tenderloin muscle, located along the spine. In contrast, skirt steak is a longer, thin, and more fibrous cut, prized for its robust, beefy flavor. It is cut from the diaphragm muscle, typically found in the abdominal area of the cow. While filet mignon is celebrated for its tenderness, skirt steak is valued for its flavor and is often marinated before grilling to enhance its taste and tenderness.
Allow the meat to cool, then store leftover steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you're looking for cuts of beef that can substitute for filet mignon, you'll want to consider options that offer a combination of tenderness and flavor. While no cut perfectly replicates filet mignon's tenderness, here are some good alternatives: Ribeye Steak, New York Strip Steak, T-Bone or Porterhouse Steak, and Top Sirloin Steak
🍽 Serving ideas
This flavorful steak is absolutely divine served with many different side dishes. I recommend serving it with a Garlic Herb Compound Butter. It's a simple garlic herb butter mixed with fresh herbs. It's also delicious with this Sun-dried Tomato Compound Butter.
My favorite sides with a juicy filet mignon include Air Fryer Broccoli, Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli Crunch Salad.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Filet mignon is a tender steak with mild flavors. Therefore, it pairs well with a variety of red wine.
- Red Bordeaux - Bordeaux wines, particularly those from the Left Bank (e.g., Pauillac, Margaux), are classic pairings with filet mignon. These wines and typically made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. They offer a balance of tannins and acidity that complements the richness of the meat. The tannins in Bordeaux wines help cut through the meat's fat, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its bold flavors, tannic structure, and dark fruit notes. It pairs well with this cut of steak because the tannins can stand up to the meat's tenderness. Meanwhile, the wine's fruitiness complements the meat's mild flavor.
- Merlot: Merlot pairs nicely with this cut of beef, especially when it's prepared with a milder sauce like a mushroom or garlic butter. Merlot is typically softer on the palate than Cabernet Sauvignon. So it's a good choice for those who prefer a smoother wine with their steak.
- Syrah/Shiraz: Syrah (known as Shiraz in Australia) can be a great match, particularly if the filet mignon is prepared with a spicier or peppery rub or sauce. The wine's peppery and dark fruit notes can complement these flavors in the dish.
- Malbec: Malbec, known for its ripe fruit flavors and moderate tannins, pairs well with this recipe. The wine's juiciness complements the juicy filet mignon.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make air fryer filet mignon steaks? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
- Air Fryer - I use my Ninja Foodi XL Deluxe Pressure Cooker/Air Fryer to make this air fryer filet mignon recipe. You can use any 8-quart air fryer.
- Bowl - You'll need a large bowl for the seasoning mix and a large shallow dish to season the sides of the steak.
- Whisk - Use a whisk to whisk together all of the yummy seasonings.
- Tongs - You'll need kitchen tongs to flip the steaks over in the air fryer basket halfway through air frying.
More air fryer recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 filet mignon steaks (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Rub the olive oil onto all sides of the steak, coating the steaks well. Set them aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the seasoning: rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the seasoning evenly over all sides of both steaks.
- Place the steaks into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes.
- Then flip the steaks over, and air fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, until steaks reach your desired doneness (see Notes for temperatures)
- Transfer steaks to a plate and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Rare: 120° - 130°F
Medium Rare: 130° - 135°F
Medium: 135° - 145°F
Medium Well: 145° - 155°F
The FDA recommends cooking steak at home to 145°F. Storage: Allow steaks to cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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