For our Air Fryer Cube Steak we have chosen to season our steaks simply with Montreal Steak Seasoning. I know for us, and most families, it is important to save money when meal planning. This is a great option for making an easy meal that is inexpensive because you only need a few ingredients.
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Add a starchy side dish like baked potatoes, a veggie like green beans or corn, and a simple side salad and you have a well rounded, affordable, and delicious meal. Plus, cooking cube steak in the air fryer makes getting dinner on the table quick and easy!
I find that we are air frying more and more because you can use less oil to cook, it’s quick, and you can cook so many different foods in it. It’s also the perfect way to cook in the summer when you don’t want to heat the house up with the oven. I received my air fryer as a gift but they are relatively inexpensive. You can get one for around $60 and can probably find an even better deal around Prime Day or Black Friday. It really is a great investment.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
- It is a flavorful dish that only requires 3 ingredients.
- This cooking method results in tender and juicy steak with a slightly crispy exterior.
- It is an inexpensive cut of steak making it an affordable main dish.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Cube Steak – one steak per person. This recipe also works perfectly for minute steaks! Have leftover steaks? Use them to make this Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy.
Montreal Steak Seasoning – this spice mixture varies depending on the restaurant or manufacturer but the main spices are garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed, and salt. This is a great way to add tons of flavor using just one ingredient.
Non-stick Cooking Spray – any variety will work. We usually buy olive oil spray but the only type my local grocery store had that day was the vegetable oil kind, so that is what I bought.
What is the Internal Temp for Cube Steak?
When checked with a digital meat thermometer, the internal temperature of cube steak should reach at least 145°F for a medium-rare finish. However, because this is a tougher cut of meat, many people prefer their air fryer cube steak to be closer to 160°F to ensure it is tender and easy to eat.
- Well-Done: 160°F
- Medium-Rare: 145°F
- Medium: 150°F
How to Make Air-Fried Cube Steak
- Spray the inside of the air fryer with cooking spray.
- Place cube steaks on plate and spray the tops of the steaks with cooking spray, season with Montreal Steak Seasoning on one side. Place steaks seasoned side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray and season with seasoning.
- Cook at 380° for 6 minutes, flip over and cook another 3-4 minutes or until steaks are cooked to the desired doneness.
- Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
What Temperature to Cook Cube Steak in the Air Fryer
We cook cube steak at 380°F because it helps the inside cook through before the outside gets overly browned. Since cube steak is thin, temperatures above 400°F can cause the exterior to cook too quickly. If cooking at a higher temperature, reduce the cook time slightly.
Helpful Tips
- Allow steaks to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before air frying them.
- Cube steaks that are cooked rare or medium rare will be chewy so cook the steak until the center is cooked, it can be very slightly pink.
- Steaks are done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 145°. I almost never use mine, I just cook them until they look and feel done.
- As you can see in the photo the steaks touch each other when I put them in the air fryer basket but will shrink after a short time cooking, this is fine. If the steaks are too big then either cut them down a bit so they fit or cook them in batches.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cube steak in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The kitchn has a great article about how to reheat steak.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you love easy recipes like this one, you’ll want to check out my 11 Easy 30-Minute Dinners. It has quick meaty mains an other dishes that are ready quick!
Serve this cube steak alongside mac and cheese—get more ideas in my What to Serve with Mac and Cheese meal guide.
Love this recipe?
Leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Easy 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Cube Steak
Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks 4-6 ounces each
- Montreal Steak Seasoning to taste
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place cube steaks on a plate and spray with cooking spray and season with Montreal Steak Seasoning on one side. Place steaks seasoned side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray and season the second side with seasoning.
- Cook at 380° for 6 minutes, flip over and cook another 3-4 minutes or until steaks are cooked to the desired doneness.
- Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
I did everything you said to do. However the Montreal Steak seasoning was really salty. So I scraped it off and enjoyed my cubed venison steaks.
The times were spot on and so was the temperature. Thank you for a great recipe.
Ahh yeah, Montreal Steak seasoning can be a bit salty depending on the brand. Glad you were able to adjust and still enjoy it! So happy the technique and timing worked out for you !
I just made this for the first time in my air fryer, followed directions to a tee. I had a kaiser roll that I toasted in my air fryer, sliced it in half, topped each half with a slice of cheese, then cut the steak in half and put it on top of the cheese. Topped that with 1/2 can of mushrooms and a bit of butter. OMG, IT WAS THE BEST SANDWICH I’VE HAD IN A LOOONNNGG TIME!!! This was so easy, no prep required, it cooked quickly, it was SO tender, and I now have a new favorite meat to use! Thanks SO much for posting this!
What a great idea and I’m so glad you love this recipe! Thank you for commenting and reviewing!
I subbed Montreal with misses dash table blend and garlic powder turned out beautiful
Great idea, I’ve never had it so I think I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for commenting!
What can you use instead of Montreal steak sauce?
It isn’t steak sauce, it’s a dry seasoning blend. A good substitute would be just salt and pepper, or maybe a little garlic or onion powder. Just whatever seasonings you would season your favorite steak with.
This is a good flavorful and tender way to cook cube steak. Thank you
You’re welcome, thank you for commenting!
Very good tender and tasty. Will use again. Thanks fot posting..
You’re welcome, thanks for commenting!