Pork, Bacon & Sausage
Air Fryer Pork Steaks (Tender, with a BBQ Glaze)
Tender air fryer pork steaks at 400°F: 12–15 minutes for ¾-inch shoulder steaks, flipped halfway, with a BBQ glaze. Times by thickness, plus frozen.
Quick answer
Cook pork steaks in the air fryer at 400°F205°C, flipping halfway. Shoulder (blade) steaks about ¾ inch thick take 12–15 minutes, ½-inch steaks take 9–12 minutes and 1-inch steaks take 15–18 minutes. They're safe at 145°F63°C, but pork steaks are more tender at 160–175°F71–79°C, when the fat and connective tissue have softened. Brush on BBQ sauce for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Time
- 12–15 min (¾ inch)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 160–175°F71–79°C for tender steaks
BBQ Air Fryer Pork Steaks air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork shoulder steaks, ½ inch | 400°F205°C | 9–12 min | Flip halfway |
| Pork shoulder steaks, ¾ inch | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min | The most common cut |
| Pork shoulder steaks, 1 inch | 400°F205°C | 15–18 min | Rest 5 minutes |
| BBQ-glazed pork steaks, ¾ inch | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min, sauce for the last 2–3 | Sauce burns if added early |
| Frozen pork steaks, ¾ inch | 380°F195°C | 20–25 min | Season after 10 minutes |
| Pork cube steaks, breaded | 380°F195°C | 8–10 min | Spray with oil, flip halfway |
| Reheating cooked pork steaks | 350°F175°C | 3–5 min | Brush with a little sauce |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Pork steaks are cut from the pork shoulder, the same cut used for pulled pork, so they’re full of flavor and hard to dry out. In the air fryer, they take about 15 minutes and come out with crispy edges and a sticky barbecue glaze, no grill needed.
How to cook pork steaks in the air fryer
- Pat the steaks dry and cut through the fat around the edge.
- Rub with oil and seasoning. A little brown sugar helps them caramelize.
- Air fry at 400°F205°C, flipping halfway.
- Brush with barbecue sauce for the last 2–3 minutes.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
How long to cook pork steaks in the air fryer
At 400°F205°C, flipped halfway:
- ½ inch: 9–12 minutes
- ¾ inch: 12–15 minutes
- 1 inch: 15–18 minutes
Bone-in steaks take about the same time as boneless ones of the same thickness. Check the temperature in the thickest part, away from the bone.
What temperature should pork steaks be?
Pork steaks are safe to eat at 145°F63°C. But unlike lean pork chops, shoulder steaks have plenty of fat and connective tissue, which softens as they cook a little longer. Most people find them most tender at 160–175°F71–79°C. They stay juicy at that temperature because of the marbling.
Pork steaks vs pork chops
| Pork steaks | Pork chops | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut from | The shoulder (pork butt) | The loin |
| Fat | More marbling | Lean |
| Best done at | 160–175°F71–79°C | 145°F63°C |
| Texture | Rich, tender, forgiving | Lean, juicy if not overcooked |
For chops, see our air fryer pork chops, with times for boneless, bone-in, thin and thick chops.
Seasoning ideas
- BBQ: the recipe below, with your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Garlic and herb: garlic, rosemary, thyme and black pepper, with no sauce.
- Honey mustard: brush with equal parts honey and Dijon for the last 2 minutes.
- Asian-style: soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a little honey, with sesame seeds to finish.
Tips for tender pork steaks
- Score the fat. A few cuts around the edge keep the steaks flat.
- Add sauce at the end. Barbecue sauce has sugar and burns if it goes on too early.
- Don’t overcrowd. Cook in batches so the steaks brown instead of steaming.
- Slice across the grain to serve, which makes every bite more tender.
What to serve with pork steaks
Pork steaks go well with classic barbecue sides: crispy potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans or roasted cauliflower.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes, brushed with a little extra sauce so they don’t dry out. See our reheating guide for more.
BBQ Air Fryer Pork Steaks
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 4 pork steaks
- Calories
- 380 per pork steak with sauce
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork shoulder (blade) steaks, about ¾ inch thick (8–10 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Dry the steaks. Pat the pork steaks dry with paper towels. Make 2–3 small cuts through the fat around the edge so they stay flat as they cook.
- Season. Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub the steaks with the olive oil, then press the seasoning onto both sides.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C for 3–5 minutes.
- Air fry. Lay the steaks in the basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook for 7 minutes, flip, and cook another 3–5 minutes.
- Glaze. Brush the tops generously with barbecue sauce and cook 2–3 minutes more, until the sauce is sticky and the thickest part reaches at least 145°F63°C, or 160–175°F71–79°C for more tender steaks.
- Rest. Rest the steaks for 5 minutes, then serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
- Pork steaks are cut from the shoulder, so they have more fat and marbling than pork chops. That's why they stay juicy at higher temperatures.
- If your steaks are thicker or thinner, use the times table above and check with a thermometer.
- Skip the sauce for a dry-rubbed version. The rub alone gives a good crust.
- Leftovers keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook pork steaks in the air fryer?
At 400°F205°C, pork shoulder steaks take 9–12 minutes at ½ inch thick, 12–15 minutes at ¾ inch and 15–18 minutes at 1 inch, flipped halfway. Add barbecue sauce for the last 2–3 minutes.
What temperature do you air fry pork steaks at?
Set the air fryer to 400°F205°C. Use 380°F195°C for frozen or breaded steaks. Pork steaks are safe to eat at 145°F63°C, but shoulder steaks are more tender at 160–175°F71–79°C, because the extra fat and connective tissue soften with a little more cooking.
What's the difference between pork steaks and pork chops?
Pork steaks are cut from the shoulder, also called the pork butt or Boston butt. They have more fat and marbling, so they stay juicy even when cooked past 145°F63°C. Pork chops are cut from the leaner loin and are best taken out at exactly 145°F63°C. See our air fryer pork chops for those.
Can you cook frozen pork steaks in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook ¾-inch frozen pork steaks at 380°F195°C for 20–25 minutes. Separate them if they're stuck together, cook for 10 minutes, then brush with oil, season and flip. Add any sauce at the end, and check the center reaches at least 145°F63°C.
Why are my pork steaks tough?
Usually they're undercooked rather than overcooked. Shoulder steaks have connective tissue that needs a bit more heat to soften, so they're often chewy at 145°F63°C and more tender at 160–175°F71–79°C. Cutting across the grain helps too.
How do you cook pork cube steak in the air fryer?
Pork cube steaks are thin and already tenderized. Dip them in seasoned flour, egg and breadcrumbs, spray with oil and air fry at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 145°F63°C inside.
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