Air Fryer Tuna Steak

This Air Fryer Tuna Steak recipe creates a perfect golden sear with a doneness however you like. Such a quick and easy way to make a perfect tuna steak.

Serve it in a tuna poke bowl or with a simple side of air fryer eggplant.

If you’re just getting going with air frying, don’t miss Air Fryer 101: How to Choose and Use an Air Fryer to learn all you need to know for air fryer perfection.

Why You’re Going To Love These Air Fryer Tuna Steaks

Quick and easy: This method cooks the tuna steaks in just a few minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Air-fried tuna steaks can be seasoned and flavored in many different ways; you can use different spices, herbs, and marinades to create different flavor profiles.
Tender and juicy: Air frying tuna steaks results in a tender and juicy texture without overcooking or drying out the fish. The high heat of the air fryer seals in the moisture and flavors, creating a perfectly cooked tuna steak every time. (Try these air fryer turkey burgers, next!)
Restaurant-quality results: Cooking tuna steak in the air fryer can produce chef results with minimal effort. (Psst. here are some more of my favorite air fryer recipes).

Ingredients For Air Fryer Tuna Steaks 

Tuna steak: I love ahi tuna. You can purchase fresh tuna steaks or thaw from frozen. 1 1/4″ thick and keep it chilled in the fridge up until it’s ready to dive into the air fryer. You want to choose a lovely bright red piece of fresh tuna for the best results.
Oil: Pick the oil you prefer at home – I love using olive or avocado oil for this recipe.
Salt: Use coarse salt in this recipe; your thick-cut tuna can take it!
Black pepper: I love the kick some freshly cracked black peppercorns give to seared tuna. You could also use pink peppercorns for a pretty aesthetic. 

How To Make Air Fryer Ahi Tuna Steaks 

Preheat the air fryer to 390ºF for 5 minutes while you prepare the tuna.
Next, pat dry the tuna steaks. Rub with oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
Air fry the tuna for 2 minutes, flip, then cook for 1-2 minutes more (check the color after 1 minute, the edges will be grey and not pink). This will give you rare tuna steaks and cook longer if you prefer medium-rare.

Make Ahead Instructions 

If you’re making this recipe to eat cold, go ahead and cook it the day before if you like. You can It’s a 5-minute recipe, so there’s not much time to be saved.

Storage Instructions 

Refrigerate immediately: After cooking air fryer tuna steaks, let them cool to room temperature before storing them. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

Use within 2-3 days: Cooked tuna steaks should be consumed within 2-3 days of cooking for the best quality and freshness. Beyond that time, the texture and flavor may begin to deteriorate.

Don’t freeze: While you can freeze raw tuna steaks, cooked tuna steaks do not freeze well and can become dry and rubbery when thawed. It’s best to avoid freezing cooked tuna steaks.

Variations 

Citrus and herb: Before air frying the tuna steaks, brush them with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, and your favorite herbs such as cilantro and chives. Serve with a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh and zesty flavor.
Cajun spice: Add some Cajun seasoning to the oil, salt, and pepper mixture for a spicy steak. 
Soy sauce, honey and ginger: Mix soy sauce, honey and minced ginger with the oil, salt, and pepper mixture and brush it onto the tuna steaks before air frying. 
Sesame crust: Mix sesame seeds with the oil, salt, and pepper mixture and coat the tuna steaks with the mixture before air frying. This creates a crunchy and nutty crust that adds texture and flavor to the tuna.
Balsamic glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the cooked tuna steaks before serving them for a sweet and tangy taste.

How to air fry frozen tuna steaks

When you’re ready to cook them, you’ll need to preheat the air fryer to 390ºF for 5 minutes while prepping your tuna.

It’s important to dry the piece of fish by patting it with a paper towel, rubbing it with oil, and then seasoning it. 

You’ll need to cook the tuna in the air fryer basket for 2 minutes, flip it, and cook it for 1-2 more minutes. After that, you can check if the tuna’s edges are grey, indicating it’s ready. You can also cook it for more or less time.

Can you air fry frozen tuna steaks?

Yes, but best to partially thaw. You can do this by thawing them overnight in the fridge OR inside the vacuum-sealed package immersed in a bowl of COLD water.

What Is The Difference Between Yellowfin and Ahi Tuna?

Ahi and yellowfin tuna are two different tuna species, although they are often used interchangeably in the culinary world. Here are some key differences:

Species: Ahi tuna is also known as the bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), while yellowfin tuna is also known as the ahi tuna (Thunnus albacares).
Appearance: Ahi tuna typically has a deeper red color and a higher fat content than yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna is often lighter in color and has a more pronounced yellow stripe along its body.
Flavor: Ahi tuna has a rich, buttery flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while yellowfin tuna has a milder flavor and a firmer texture.
Availability: Ahi tuna is typically more expensive and less readily available than yellowfin tuna, which is more commonly found in grocery stores and seafood markets

FAQs

Pro Tips and Tricks 

Preheating the air fryer in advance ensures a bit of color in the short time it takes to cook just the outside of a tuna steak.
If you want a truly rare middle, cook the tuna steak while it’s still cold or even partially frozen (it should be pliable, not frozen hard, but still very cold).
Choose a good quality piece of tuna fish for this recipe – fresh is preferred over frozen but you can absolutely make this with thawed tuna too.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Tuna Steaks?

You can serve this with sushi rice and nori as part of a sushi bowl. Serve them drizzled with sesame oil, sprinkled with black pepper,  and sliced green onion as an appetizer. 

I love to serve the tuna as a poke bowl with sesame mayo or sriracha mayo, my creamy Asian dressing, and these toppings: 

Edamame beans 
Fresh tropical fruit like sliced mango, lychee, or pineapple
Fresh cucumber rounds or ribbons 
Sprouts or micro greens 
Toasted sesame seeds
Cold pre-steamed broccoli florets
Boom Boom Shrimp on the side 
Any of your favorite salad ingredients 

Other recipes you won’t want to miss

If you like the look of this air fryer tuna steak recipe, you have to try my tuna poke bowls with coconut rice.

This chili garlic tofu makes a fantastic side to this recipe. I love having people over and spreading out a bunch of my favorite Asian-style dishes like these slow-cooked Korean short ribs and sticky gochujang chicken – SO good.

Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD