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    Home » Recipes » Fish

    Air Fryer Tuna Steak

    Published: Nov 10, 2022 by Kate

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Plate of tuna with text: Easy Air Fryer Tuna Steak.

    Air Fryer Tuna Steak is so quick and easy! They come out cooked to perfection in just a few minutes. Serve them up with your favorite sauces or seasonings.

    A plate of air fryer tuna steak.
    Air Fryer Tuna Steak.

    Tuna Steak in the air fryer is not only tasty, but it is super quick and easy!

    If you're looking for a nutritious weeknight meal, you'll love our air fryer tuna steak recipe.

    This dish is protein-packed and flavorful, and it's easy to make. Just follow our simple instructions and you'll have a delicious meal that your family and friends will love.

    I've left the seasoning plain, so you can just cook up your tuna steaks and then add your favorite flavors.

    I love serving them with Unagi Sauce - an easy Asian sauce that's often served with eel sushi. The tuna is also incredible with Chinese Plum Sauce, rice, and a side of Sesame Green Beans!

    Jump to:
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook's Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why Make This Recipe

    It's a quick and easy 5-minute dish!

    You can customize it with your favorite seasoning blends and sauces. Try it with Lemon Caper Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, or Soy Garlic Sauce.

    Add some steamed vegetables and you have a super healthy meal.

    The air fryer means you can use much less oil than pan frying.

    You can cook it to your liking, from rare to well done (timings below).

    A piece of air fryer tuna steak on a fork.

    Ingredients

    • Tuna Steak - use your favorite tuna steaks - I love ahi!
    • Oil - Olive oil works great, while sesame oil adds more flavor.
    • Black Pepper - tuna is usually salty enough, so I just season it with a little pepper.
    • For fancier toppings, add a pinch of sesame seeds and some sliced scallions.

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make this Air Fryer Tuna Steak recipe? It's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Raw tuna steaks on a plate.

    Dry the tuna steaks with paper towels, then spread them with the oil and pepper on both sides.

    Cooking tuna steaks in an air fryer.

    Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry at 360F for 2 minutes.

    Turn them over and cook for a further:

    Rare: 3 minutes (total time 5 minutes)
    Medium-Rare: 4 minutes (total time 6 minutes)
    Medium: 4 ½ minutes (total time 6 ½ minutes)
    Well Done: 5 minutes (total time 7 minutes)

    Serve and enjoy!

    Cook's Tips

    When purchasing tuna steaks, look for red or dark red flesh that's firm and dense to the touch.

    Choose sustainably caught tuna.

    Tuna steaks cook quickly in the air fryer so keep checking them so they don't overcook.

    If you want to add sauces to the tuna, cook it for the first few minutes, then brush with the sauce and continue cooking.

    Some people prefer to cook their tuna all the way through, while others prefer to leave it pink in the middle. It's usually served pink in the middle (rare or medium rare) since the tuna steaks are flavorful and tender that way.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve your air fryer tuna steak with a side of rice. I love it with sticky jasmine rice.

    Add a pile of mixed steamed vegetables for a healthy, low-calorie meal.

    Make your tuna Japanese-style with Japanese rice, unagi sauce, and sesame green beans.

    For a fish feast, serve it with Teriyaki Salmon.

    Cutting air fryer tuna steak on a wooden board.

    FAQs

    How can you tell when tuna steak is done?

    Tuna steaks are cooked when they turn grey/brown on the outside, the center is lightly pink (unless you like it well done) and the fish can be flaked with a fork.

    Why are tuna steaks pink in the middle?

    Tuna steaks don't need to be cooked all the way through. Leaving them rare or medium rare with a pink middle keeps them tender, moist, and flavorful.

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Plate of air fried tuna steaks.

    Air Fryer Tuna Steak

    Air Fryer Tuna Steak comes out cooked to perfection in just a few minutes! A super quick, easy and healthy weeknight meal.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer tuna steak, tuna steak in air fryer
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 7 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 263kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 tuna steaks
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Optional toppings

    • Sesame seeds
    • Scallions
    • Lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Dry the tuna steaks with paper towels, then spread them with the oil and pepper on both sides.
    • Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry at 360F for 2 minutes.

    Turn them over and cook for a further:

    • Rare: 3 minutes (total time 5 minutes)Medium-Rare: 4 minutes (total time 6 minutes)Medium: 4 ½ minutes (total time 6 ½ minutes)Well Done: 5 minutes (total time 7 minutes)
    • Serve and enjoy! If desired, sprinkle them with lemon juice, sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    When purchasing tuna steaks, look for red or dark red flesh that's firm and dense to the touch.
    Choose sustainably caught tuna.
    Tuna steaks cook quickly in the air fryer so keep checking them so they don't overcook.
    If you want to add sauces to the tuna, cook it for the first few minutes, then brush with the sauce and continue cooking.
    Some people prefer to cook their tuna all the way through, while others prefer to leave it pink in the middle. It's usually served pink in the middle (rare or medium rare) since the tuna steaks are flavorful and tender that way.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 432mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 3712IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 2mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Fish Recipes

    • Salmon Bites
    • Cajun Salmon
    • Teriyaki Salmon (Air Fryer)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shadi

      November 10, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      It looks so delicious and easy! This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!

      Reply
    2. Nikki

      November 10, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      Quick and easy to make. This is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

      Reply
    3. nancy

      November 10, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      thanks i just brought some tuna steaks and was looking for how to cook them. this was really helpful

      Reply
    4. Luci

      November 15, 2022 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this was so good! I love tuna on salads. I made this for lunch.

      Reply
    5. Tayler

      November 17, 2022 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      We made this tuna steak tonight and served it with teriyaki sauce and egg fried rice! It was so delicious and flavorful!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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