Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Fillet Steak)
, Updated Jul 28, 2025
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Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Fillet Steak) – say hello to the easiest way to cook filet mignon – right in your air fryer! This method gives you a restaurant-quality steak with zero fuss. Serve with cowboy butter for a meal that’s an absolute TREAT!
Got leftover cowboy butter? Make this delish Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta!
Cooking filet mignon in the air fryer is the no-stress way to steakhouse-quality results – juicy, tender, and cooked just how you like it. Whether you’re cooking for a special someone – hello, date night 😉 – or simply treating yourself to something fancy, this air fryer fillet steak is always reliable, EASY and ridiculously good.
This method is foolproof – especially if you find cooking steak a bit, well, scary. Cooking fillet mignon tends to be especially intimidating, if only because it is a pricey cut of meat…
What Is Filet Mignon?
Filet mignon is a top-notch cut of beef that’s famous for being super tender and having a mild flavor. It comes from the tenderloin, which is this long, cylindrical muscle that runs along the cow’s spine. Since this muscle doesn’t get much exercise, the meat is really soft – making it one of the most tender (and fancy!) steaks you can find.
In the US, this beef tenderloin cut is called filet mignon (pronounced fee-LAY meen-YON). And although “mignon” is French for “fine” or “delicate”, this cut is actually called filet de bœuf in France. Meanwhile in the UK you will see it labelled as fillet steak or centre-cut fillet.
All of these terms refer to the same cut; however, UK butchers may sometimes serve it as part of a Chateaubriand, which is the thicker center of the fillet and is often prepared for two people.
Why You’ll Love Filet Mignon in Air Fryer
- Perfectly cooked, juicy tender meat with a golden crust
- No splatter, no smoke, and no standing over the stove getting all hot and bothered
- Consistent results every single time (chef’s kiss!)
- Ideal for small kitchens or solo dinners and energy efficient too
- Easier for older cooks or those with physical limitations to handle – a cast iron skillet is great and all but picture moving that around if you have a bad back!
Which steak should I pick?
Filet Mignon – in the US fillet mignon is classed using the USDA grading system. Take a look at the options below and purchase the best quality cut you can afford. Air frying will bring out the best in your steak, regardless of what you choose.
- Prime: The top tier of quality, with abundant marbling that results in a juicy, tender, and flavorful experience. Typically available at upscale steakhouses or specialty meat shops.
- Choice: A very good quality option. Contains slightly less marbling compared to Prime but remains flavorful and tender, commonly found in supermarkets.
- Select: A leaner cut with reduced marbling. It is generally firmer and drier; best suited for quick cooking to avoid drying out.
The UK doesn’t have an official grading system, but these two options tend to be the most widely available:
- Supermarket Fillet Steak: Typically sourced from younger cattle, often grain-fed or raised intensively. This cut is lean and very tender, though it has less marbling. More expensive than ribeye or sirloin steaks but on the more budget-friendly end of the scale compared to premium fillet.
- Butcher’s or Premium Fillet: This option features a higher fat content, with more marbling and flavor. It is sourced from grass-fed or native breeds, such as Aberdeen Angus or Hereford, and is dry-aged to enhance tenderness and richness of flavor.
What’s the Right Doneness for Filet Mignon?
Here’s a quick guide to help you cook filet mignon just right. The cooking time will depend on how thick your steak is, so make sure to use a meat thermometer. As a very general rule of thumb, air fry 7-9 minutes for rare, 10-12 minutes for medium-rare and 13-15+ minutes for medium to well-done.
- Rare (120–125°F / 49–52°C) – Deep red center, very soft and juicy. Great if you love steak ultra-tender and barely cooked, likely to put some people off.
- Medium Rare (130–135°F / 54–57°C) – Warm red center, firm outside, juicy inside. This is the gold standard for filet mignon!
- Medium (140–145°F / 60–63°C) – Pink center, slightly firmer. Still tender but with a bit more structure.
- Medium Well (150–155°F / 65–68°C) – Slightly pink with a firmer texture.
- Well Done (160°F+ / 71°C+) – Fully cooked through, not recommended for fillet steak as it will lose its wonderfully tender bite.
💡 Tip: Always use a meat thermometer for precision, bearing in mind the temperature will continue to rise by about 5 degrees while the steak rests.
How to make Air Fryer Filet Mignon
- Take the meat out of the refrigerator and bring to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Pat the meat dry using paper towels and brush with olive oil. Season generously with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Place the steaks onto a rack (or directly in the air fryer basket), spaced apart to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the for 10-14 minutes, depending on how you like your steak cooked, flipping over halfway.
- Once the steak has reached the desired temperature, remove from the air fryer and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with a little thyme and serve with your fave side dishes.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer fillet steak is delicious on its own but do yourselves a favor and make some cowboy butter (thank me later!). It is bold, herby, garlicky, with a hint of spice and citrus. It can be used as compound butter or melted as a dipping sauce.
Opt for creamy mushroom Marsala sauce for a classy restaurant-style pairing, wit a side of fries, baked potatoes or a potato salad. A rich full-bodied red wine is the perfect pairing for this juicy steak!
Equipment
- Air Fryer – I use my Instant Vortex air fryer when testing this recipe. It’s worth noting that different models can vary slightly so make a note of the best cooking time and temperature for your model. My Ninja air fryer definitely runs hotter, for example.
- Instant Read Thermometer – Take the guess work out of cooking meat and invest in a good quality thermometer. I use mine all the time, even when baking.
Recipe Notes & FAQs
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 3–4 minutes. Add a bit of butter on top to keep it juicy. Leftover sliced steak is gorgeous cold in salads, sandwiches, or even over rice bowls.
- Can I marinate the filet beforehand? You could, but since filet mignon has such a wonderful flavor on its own I think it is unnecessary!
- Should I sear it first? Nope! The air fryer does a great job crisping up the exterior and placing the steaks on a raised rack helps too.
Tried my Air Fryer Filet Mignon recipe? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating – it really helps others find the recipe! For more easy air fryer dinners, make sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok – your next favorite recipe might be just a scroll away.
Air Fryer Filet Mignon (Fillet Steak)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For the steak
- 2 thick-cut filet mignon steaks (fillet steaks)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- generous pinch sea salt flakes
- generous pinch freshly ground black pepper
For the Cowboy Butter
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter softened
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- pinch red pepper flakes
- ½ lemon juice and zest
Instructions
- Take the steaks out of the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.2 thick-cut filet mignon steaks
- Pat the meat dry using paper towels and brush with olive oil. Season generously with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.2 tbsp olive oil, generous pinch sea salt flakes, generous pinch freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Place the steaks onto a rack (or directly in the basket), spaced apart to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the for 10-14 minutes, flipping over halfway. The cooking time will depend on their thickness of your fillet mignon and how you like it cooked. Please refer to the chart and use a meat thermometer for best results.
- Once the steak has reached the desired temperature, remove from the air fryer and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Make the cowboy butter
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter and spoon the butter onto it. Wrap the butter and shape into a small log. Chill until needed then cut into small pats to use.½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped chives, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp salt, pinch red pepper flakes, ½ lemon juice and zest
- To use cowboy butter as a dip, melt the butter then stir in all the other ingredients. Leave to cool and serve with the steak.
Notes
- The cooking time will depend on their thickness of your filet mignon and how you like it cooked. Please refer to the chart and use a meat thermometer for best results.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 3–4 minutes. Add a bit of butter on top to keep it juicy. Leftover filet is gorgeous cold in salads, sandwiches, or even over rice bowls.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
