Fish & Seafood
Air Fryer Tuna Steak (Sesame-Crusted Ahi)
Air fryer tuna steak at 400°F: 4–6 minutes for 1-inch ahi steaks with a rare to medium center, flipped halfway. Plus well-done, frozen and tuna patties.
Quick answer
Cook 1-inch tuna steaks in the air fryer at 400°F205°C for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway, for a seared outside and a rare to medium center. Cook them 8–10 minutes for well done. The USDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F63°C. If you prefer tuna rare, buy sushi- or sashimi-grade steaks from a trusted fish counter.
- Time
- 4–6 min (1-inch, rare to medium)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 145°F63°C per USDA, or rare center
Sesame-Crusted Air Fryer Ahi Tuna Steaks air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna steak, 1 inch, rare center | 400°F205°C | 4–5 min | Sushi-grade tuna only |
| Tuna steak, 1 inch, medium | 400°F205°C | 6–7 min | Pink in the middle |
| Tuna steak, 1 inch, well done (145°F) | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | USDA recommended |
| Thick tuna steak, 1½ inch | 400°F205°C | 6–9 min | Add 2–3 min for well done |
| Sesame-crusted ahi tuna | 400°F205°C | 4–6 min | Press seeds on firmly |
| Frozen tuna steaks, 1 inch | 400°F205°C | 10–14 min | Cooked through, flip halfway |
| Tuna patties (canned tuna) | 380°F195°C | 8–10 min | Spray with oil, flip halfway |
| Reheating cooked tuna | 300°F150°C | 3–4 min | Low heat so it doesn't dry out |
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.
Tuna steak is one of the fastest dinners you can make in the air fryer: about 5 minutes for a seared outside and a rosy center. A quick soy and sesame marinade and a crust of sesame seeds turn it into something you’d order at a restaurant, without heating up a skillet.
How to cook tuna steak in the air fryer
- Pat the tuna dry and brush with a little soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Press on sesame seeds, or just season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat to 400°F205°C. A hot air fryer sears the outside fast.
- Air fry 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway, for a rare to medium center.
- Rest 2 minutes, then slice across the grain.
How long to cook tuna steak in the air fryer
For a 1-inch steak at 400°F205°C, flipped halfway:
- Rare center: 4–5 minutes
- Medium: 6–7 minutes
- Well done (145°F63°C): 8–10 minutes
Thickness matters more than weight. A 1½-inch steak takes 6–9 minutes for a pink center, and a thin ¾-inch steak can be done in 3–4 minutes.
Rare or well done?
Tuna steaks are often served rare or medium-rare, seared outside and pink in the middle. If you like them that way, buy sushi- or sashimi-grade tuna from a fish counter you trust, and cook it the day you buy it. The USDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F63°C, when it’s opaque and flakes easily. Cooked that far, tuna is firmer and drier, so keep a close eye on the time and don’t go past 10 minutes.
Frozen tuna steaks
Frozen tuna steaks can go straight into the air fryer, but they’ll cook through before the outside sears, so they won’t be rare. Rinse off any ice glaze, pat dry, brush with oil and season, then air fry at 400°F205°C for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 145°F63°C. For a rare center, thaw the steaks overnight in the fridge first.
Tuna patties
For a budget-friendly option, mix two drained cans of tuna with an egg, ⅓ cup of breadcrumbs, a tablespoon of mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon and some chopped green onion. Shape into 4 patties, spray with oil and air fry at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
Tips for the best air fryer tuna
- Preheat the air fryer. A hot basket gives a better sear.
- Pat the steaks dry so the seasoning and seeds stick.
- Don’t overcook. Tuna goes from tender to dry in a minute or two.
- Slice across the grain for the most tender bites.
What to serve with tuna steak
Serve it over rice or a green salad, with garlic parmesan green beans or baby potatoes. For other quick fish dinners, try air fryer salmon or crispy breaded fish.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover tuna for up to 2 days. It’s best cold, sliced over a salad. To warm it, air fry at 300°F150°C for 3–4 minutes. See our reheating guide.
Sesame-Crusted Air Fryer Ahi Tuna Steaks
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 2 servings
- Calories
- 290 per tuna steak with sesame crust
Ingredients
- 2 ahi (yellowfin) tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick (6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, white, black or a mix
- Sliced green onion and lime wedges, to serve
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Marinate. Pat the tuna dry. Stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic powder and pepper, and brush it over both sides of the steaks. Let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Coat. Press the sesame seeds firmly onto both sides of each steak.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C for 3–5 minutes, so the outside sears quickly.
- Air fry. Place the steaks in the basket with space between them. Cook for 2–3 minutes, flip gently with a spatula, and cook another 2–3 minutes for a rare to medium center.
- Rest and slice. Rest the tuna for 2 minutes, then slice it across the grain. Serve with green onion and lime.
Notes
- For a rare or medium center, use sushi- or sashimi-grade tuna from a fish counter you trust.
- For well-done tuna, cook 8–10 minutes in total, until it reaches 145°F63°C and is opaque all the way through.
- Thinner steaks cook in seconds. Start checking ¾-inch steaks after 3 minutes.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook tuna steak in the air fryer?
At 400°F205°C, a 1-inch tuna steak takes 4–5 minutes for a rare center, 6–7 minutes for medium and 8–10 minutes for well done, flipped halfway. Thicker 1½-inch steaks take 6–9 minutes.
What temperature do you air fry tuna steak at?
400°F205°C, in a preheated air fryer. High heat sears the outside quickly. Lower temperatures cook the center through before the outside browns.
What temperature should tuna steak be?
The USDA recommends cooking fish, including tuna, to 145°F63°C. Many people eat tuna steaks rare or medium-rare instead. If you do, use sushi- or sashimi-grade tuna from a trusted source, and know that it isn't cooked to the USDA temperature.
Can you cook frozen tuna steaks in the air fryer?
Yes, but they cook through rather than staying rare. Rinse off any ice, pat dry, brush with oil and season, then air fry at 400°F205°C for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 145°F63°C. For a rare center, thaw them in the fridge first.
Do you need to flip tuna steak in the air fryer?
Yes, flip it halfway so both sides sear evenly. Use a thin spatula, especially for sesame-crusted steaks, so the crust stays on.
How do you make tuna patties in the air fryer?
Mix drained canned tuna with an egg, breadcrumbs, a little mayonnaise and seasoning, and shape into patties. Spray them with oil and air fry at 380°F195°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
What do you serve with tuna steak?
Rice, a simple salad or sesame noodles, with green beans or roasted vegetables on the side. A soy-ginger or wasabi mayo dipping sauce goes well with the sesame crust.
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