Ingredients
Method
Cook the Steak
- Season the skirt steak generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Cut the steak into three equal pieces to help it cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Place the steak pieces into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 385°F for 5 minutes.
- Remove the steak and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- After resting, turn the steak so the uncut side is facing up and slice into ¼-inch slices against the grain.
Cook the Fries
- Add frozen French fries to the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 385°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Steakhouse Gravy
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the flour and whisk continuously to create a roux. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in 1½ cups beef stock until smooth.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce and stir well.
- Stir in molasses to deepen the color and add subtle sweetness.
- Add additional beef stock as needed to reach your desired gravy consistency.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.
Plating
- Start by plating the crispy fries.
- Add the sliced steak on top of or beside the fries.
- Spoon warm steak gravy over the steak and finish with freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Steak: Cooking steak in the air fryer is surprisingly easy, but a few simple techniques will help you get the best results. One of the most important tips is cutting the skirt steak into smaller sections before cooking. Skirt steak is a long, thin cut of beef, and cutting it into two or three pieces helps it cook more evenly inside the air fryer basket. Season the steak generously with salt and black pepper before cooking. Since skirt steak is naturally flavorful, simple seasoning allows the beef flavor to shine through. Letting the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking is another important step. Resting allows the juices to redistribute through the meat, which helps keep the steak tender and juicy when sliced. Finally, always slice skirt steak against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes the steak much more tender and easier to chew.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Cooking should always be flexible, and this recipe can be adjusted depending on what ingredients you have available.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Steak substitutions If skirt steak isn’t available, flank steak or flat iron steak are great alternatives that cook similarly in the air fryer.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Fries substitutions While natural-cut frozen fries work well here, waffle fries, steak fries, or even sweet potato fries can be used.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Beef stock substitute If you don’t have beef stock, beef broth or even a high-quality bouillon mixed with water can work.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Molasses substitute Molasses helps give the gravy a deep steakhouse color and subtle sweetness. If you don’t have molasses, a small splash of balsamic vinegar or brown sugar can work in a pinch.
Lower-Carb or Weight-Loss Tips: If you’re trying to reduce carbs or lighten up the meal, there are a few easy adjustments.
Lower-Carb or Weight-Loss Tips: Instead of serving the steak with fries, try pairing it with roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, or a simple side salad. This keeps the focus on the protein while lowering the overall carbohydrate content. Another option is to reduce the portion of fries and increase the steak portion or vegetables. Since skirt steak is high in protein, it helps keep the meal filling and satisfying even with fewer carbs. You can also reduce the amount of gravy used or serve it on the side to control added calories while still enjoying the flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: This is a very simple recipe that cooks quickly, so in most cases there’s really no need to prepare it ahead of time. The steak cooks in just a few minutes, the fries crisp up quickly in the air fryer, and the gravy comes together fast on the stovetop. That’s part of what makes this meal perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. However, if you do want to prepare parts of the recipe in advance, it can still work well. Cooked steak can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the steak back into the air fryer at 375°F for about 2–3 minutes to warm it through without overcooking. The gravy can also be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of beef stock if needed to loosen the consistency.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: Fries are best cooked fresh, but if you need to reheat them, avoid the microwave as it can make them soggy. Instead, return them to the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back their crispiness.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Cooking should always be flexible, and this recipe can be adjusted depending on what ingredients you have available.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Steak substitutions If skirt steak isn’t available, flank steak or flat iron steak are great alternatives that cook similarly in the air fryer.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Fries substitutions While natural-cut frozen fries work well here, waffle fries, steak fries, or even sweet potato fries can be used.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Beef stock substitute If you don’t have beef stock, beef broth or even a high-quality bouillon mixed with water can work.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas: Molasses substitute Molasses helps give the gravy a deep steakhouse color and subtle sweetness. If you don’t have molasses, a small splash of balsamic vinegar or brown sugar can work in a pinch.
Lower-Carb or Weight-Loss Tips: If you’re trying to reduce carbs or lighten up the meal, there are a few easy adjustments.
Lower-Carb or Weight-Loss Tips: Instead of serving the steak with fries, try pairing it with roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, or a simple side salad. This keeps the focus on the protein while lowering the overall carbohydrate content. Another option is to reduce the portion of fries and increase the steak portion or vegetables. Since skirt steak is high in protein, it helps keep the meal filling and satisfying even with fewer carbs. You can also reduce the amount of gravy used or serve it on the side to control added calories while still enjoying the flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: This is a very simple recipe that cooks quickly, so in most cases there’s really no need to prepare it ahead of time. The steak cooks in just a few minutes, the fries crisp up quickly in the air fryer, and the gravy comes together fast on the stovetop. That’s part of what makes this meal perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. However, if you do want to prepare parts of the recipe in advance, it can still work well. Cooked steak can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the steak back into the air fryer at 375°F for about 2–3 minutes to warm it through without overcooking. The gravy can also be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of beef stock if needed to loosen the consistency.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips: Fries are best cooked fresh, but if you need to reheat them, avoid the microwave as it can make them soggy. Instead, return them to the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back their crispiness.