Air Fryer BBQ Pork Steak (15 minute Cook Time!)
Have you tried Air Fryer Pork Steak? If you enjoy making juicy tender pork steaks wait until you make bbq Pork Steaks in the Air Fryer! One quick trip through the air fryer and you’ve got amazing tasty pork steaks the whole family will love. Tired of dry pork chops? You’ll never have that problem with pork steaks.
These steaks start with my homemade barbecue rub made from pantry staples, don’t worry, I give you the whole recipe in the recipe card. Then they’re partially air fried before being brushed with bbq sauce and air fried until they’re cooked through. It’s one of our favorite pork recipes and I think it’s one of the best easy air fryer recipes on my site, period!
What are Pork Steaks?
Cut from the pork shoulder, pork steaks are like bigger juicier pork chops. They’re also called pork blade steaks. Think of a country-style rib BUT thin like a pork chop and you’ve got a pork steak. Plus they’re a cheaper cut so they’re budget-friendly too.
You can sub in the same weight of bone-in pork chops if you need to. If you’re stuck with boneless chops don’t overcook them, they’ll be tough and dry. You can tell that they’re my least favorite pork chop, right?
How To Cook Pork Steaks
The best thing about pork steaks is that they’re hard to mess up and VERY flexible. They can be grilled, pan-fried, baked, barbecued and so much more! You want to cook them just until they’re done so using a digital thermometer is important. You want to cook them to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and then give them a 3-minute rest. The temperature will go up to 155 for perfectly done steaks.
Since air frying works by circulating hot air inside the air fryer any time it’s open you’re possibly extending the cooking time by losing heat. The less time the heat is flowing out, the less actual run time you need.
To cook them evenly lay them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with no overlapping if you can help it. This is the best way to ensure even cooking and getting the cooking time correct. If you overlap them you will have some parts overcook while the layered steaks may not be fully cooked.
One pork steak makes a hearty serving for an adult. But if you’re feeding kids you might be able to get away with making one steak stretch for two kids. I don’t know though, my kids were never light eaters, even as young children.
My Favorite Pantry Staple BBQ Rub
This rub is SO tasty I use it on my Air Fryer BBQ Pork Chops, Oven BBQ Pork Chops, AND my Oven Barbecued Chicken. Whenever I tell my kids we’re having bbq anything for dinner I KNOW it’s going to be a hit.
Since this rub relies on products you probably already have in your pantry you won’t need anything special except your favorite barbecue sauce for these pork steaks.
And if you don’t have the ingredients in your pantry I bet you’ll be finding new ways to use those spices in all the other areas of your cooking so buying them won’t be a loss for you!
What do I need to make BBQ Pork Steak in the Air Fryer?
The ingredient list may look long but most of the ingredients are probably already right in your pantry.
- pork steak or blade steak
- salt
- brown sugar
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- chili powder
- cinnamon
- black pepper
- barbecue sauce
- An Air Fryer–this recipe was tested and made in a Cosori 5.8 Max XL Basket Style Air Fryer, your air fryer may cook quicker or slower depending on the brand
- pastry brush
- meat thermometer, I prefer a digital thermometer because you can quickly check the temperature and continue air frying
What to Serve with Pork Steaks
You can absolutely serve these pork steaks with any side dish you like. Steakhouse Mac and Cheese, or try a fresh Broccoli Cauliflower Salad or try another side in the air fryer, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes!
If you have leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat as desired in the air fryer or the microwave.
BBQ Pork Steak in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds pork steaks
- 2 TBSP light olive oil
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce use your favorite!
Instructions
- preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes
- while it heats measure the sugar and spices and mix up
- rub the oil on the pork steaks
- sprinkle the spice mix on the steaks and rub in, let them rest while the air fryer gets hot
- when the air fryer is hot lay the steaks in the basket and cook on 370 for 5 minutes
- flip and cook again for 5 minutes
- check for doneness with a meat thermometer, it should read 145°
- brush with the bbq sauce on one side and cook for 1 -2 minutes
- flip and brush with the sauce again and cook for 1-2 more minutes
Video
Notes
Nutrition
- Sheet Pan Lasagna
- Roasted Rack Of Lamb
- Slow Cooker Cheesesteak Tortellini
- Oven Roasted Turkey with Stuffing
- Quick and Easy Cowboy Stew
- Biscuit Topped Beef Pot Pie
- Garlic Herb Prime Rib Roast
- Beer Cheese Soup
What temp did you cook these at?
370° its in the recipe card : )
I’m making the barbeque pork shoulder steaks. Air fryer recipe. I make my own sauce. Wish me luck. Your recipe sounds fantastic.
I made your recipe last night. It was really good. Flavors were very good.
We made it and it was super, will try other your recipes.
My wife does not like too many spices, but this recipe worked well.
Thanks
That seasoning! Perfect balance of sweet, spice and smoke. These turned out beautifully. Will be making this easy recipe again!
This was delicious, very tender and juicy. I used about 1/2 of the barbecue sauce amount listed since my husband isn’t a big fan of it. I also used bone in pork steaks. Will definitely make this again. Thanks for a great recipe!