Easy Air Fryer Black and Blue Steak (Pittsburgh Style)

This Easy Air Fryer Black and Blue Steak delivers the classic Pittsburgh-style crust: charred black on the outside while remaining blue-rare and cool on the inside. Using the air fryer’s high heat creates that intense exterior crust incredibly quickly, resulting in a unique texture and flavor contrast perfect for the bold steak lover.

For the steak purist who craves maximum contrast, the Pittsburgh-style, or “Black and Blue,” steak is the ultimate challenge—but the air fryer makes achieving this unique result surprisingly easy.

This method uses the air fryer’s intense, concentrated heat to rapidly char the exterior, locking in the smoky, seasoned crust while leaving the center cool, bright red, and perfectly blue-rare.

It’s a fast, bold way to prepare a steak that delivers an incredible textural experience, making a traditionally difficult restaurant favorite simple to achieve at home.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Achieve extreme black crust with a cool, blue-rare center.
• Air fryer locks in flavor and creates perfect steak contrast quickly.
• No mess, no smoke, just restaurant-quality steak at home.
• Incredibly fast cooking method perfect for thick-cut steaks.
• Bold, unique texture and intense flavor for steak purists.

Ingredients Needed

• Flank Steak: Look for a thinly sliced piece of flank steak. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cut it so it fits inside the air fryer basket.

• Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best taste. You can even roast the garlic in the air fryer!
• Horseradish: Use prepared horseradish. One of my favorite brands is Inglehoffer.
• Bleu Cheese: Use your favorite crumbled bleu cheese.
• Sour Cream: Use low-fat or full-fat cream cheese.
• Cream Cheese: Use room temperature low-fat or full-fat cream cheese.
• Seasonings/Spices: Black Peppercorns, Salt, Parsley

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Black and Blue Steak

Step One: Soak 5-6 6” pieces of cooking twine in water for about 20-30 minutes. Allow steak to come to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes. Rub the steak with olive oil on both sides. Combine cracked black peppercorns and salt in a small bowl or ramekin. Coat one side of the steak in seasoning. 

Step Two: Combine minced garlic, horseradish, blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, softened cream cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Step Three: Preheat the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes.  Coat the unseasoned side of the steak in the blue cheese Sauce. Tightly roll steak from side to side and secure with cooking twine. 

Step Four: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place the steak roll into the air fryer. Set cook time for 20-25 minutes, flip over, halfway during cooking.

Step Five: Let rest inside the air fryer for 10 minutes. Remove twine, Slice, and serve.

Easy Air Fryer Black and Blue Steak Recipe Tips

• Start with a thick cut: Thin steaks cook too fast and turn gray inside. Look for 1½ to 2 inches thick — ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon are top-tier choices.
• Bring the steak to room temp: Cold steaks + blazing heat = uneven cooking. Let it sit out for 30–40 minutes before cooking.
• Pat it dry (don’t skip): Moisture is the enemy of crust. Use paper towels and really dry the surface before seasoning.
• Preheat the air fryer: A cold air fryer means zero crust. Let it preheat at 400°F for 3–5 minutes before adding the steak.
• Butter at the end = restaurant magic: Drop a small pat of butter on top immediately after cooking. It melts into the crust and upgrades the flavor big time.
• Rest before slicing: Give it 5 minutes. Cutting too soon lets the juices run off like a leaky faucet.
• Slice against the grain: This makes every bite more tender. It’s a small move that makes a huge difference.

Easy Air Fryer Black and Blue Steak Recipe Faqs

What is Black and Blue Steak? Black and Blue Steak, also known as Pittsburgh-style steak, is a cooking method where the steak is charred on the outside (“black”) while left very rare (“blue”) or even raw on the inside. It’s cooked at extremely high heat to achieve a charred crust while keeping the interior rare.

How do I achieve the “Black and Blue” effect? To achieve the Black and Blue effect, you’ll need to cook the steak at a high temperature in a short amount of time. This can be done in a skillet on the stovetop, on a grill, or in an air fryer. The goal is to sear the steak quickly on each side to create a charred crust while keeping the inside rare.

What cuts of steak are best for Black and Blue Steak? Tender cuts of steak such as ribeye, strip loin (New York strip), or filet mignon are ideal for Black and Blue Steak. These cuts are naturally tender and flavorful, making them perfect for quick cooking methods like this.

How long should I cook Black and Blue Steak in the air fryer? Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the steak and the temperature of your air fryer. As a general guideline, you can cook a 1-inch thick steak at 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes per side for rare, 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, and 5-6 minutes per side for medium.

Is it safe to eat Black and Blue Steak? Eating Black and Blue Steak is safe as long as you start with high-quality, fresh meat and handle it properly. Cooking at a high temperature helps kill surface bacteria, but it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the steak reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) for medium rare.

What are some serving suggestions for Black and Blue Steak? Black and Blue Steak pairs well with a variety of side dishes, including roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad, or crusty bread. You can also serve it with a flavorful sauce or compound butter to enhance the taste.

What does “black and blue” mean in the context of steak? “Black and blue” refers to a steak that is cooked on the outside until it has a charred or blackened crust, while the inside is left rare or blue. This is achieved by using high heat to sear the steak quickly and cooking it for a shorter time.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken Recipe (Ninja Foodi Roast Chicken)
• Air Fryer Taco Casserole

Equipment Used

• Air Fryer Used: Instant Pot Vortex 5.7QT Large Air Fryer Oven Combo, Customizable Smart Cooking Programs, Digital Touchscreen, Nonstick, and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes
• Twine Used: Tenn Well Bakers Twine, 328 Feet 3Ply Cotton Kitchen Twine Food Safe Cooking String for Tying Meat, Trussing Chickens, Making Sausage, and More

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures

Don’t Forget To Pin!