If you're craving an elegant steak dinner without the fuss, this Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe is your new best friend. It’s all about tender, juicy filet mignon cooked perfectly in an air fryer and finished with a luscious garlic herb butter that melts right on top. Trust me, it’s easier than you think!

Two thick, juicy steak pieces sit stacked on a wooden board with a glossy, well-cooked brown surface. Each steak has a dollop of pale, herb-filled butter melting on top, mixed with bits of green herbs. Fresh sprigs of rosemary rest on the butter, adding a touch of green. The background shows another garlic bulb and a soft white cloth, all placed against a white marbled texture. The lighting makes the steaks look moist and tender. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make this Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter, it feels like a fancy restaurant night right in my own kitchen. Here’s why it quickly became one of my go-to recipes:

Simple Ingredients: Just a few quality items let the natural flavor of the filet shine through.
Quick & Easy: Ready in just over half an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Perfectly Cooked Steaks: The air fryer locks in juiciness while creating a beautiful crust every time.
Garlic Herb Butter Finish: Adds a burst of fresh, savory flavor that elevates the whole dish.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing quality ingredients is the key to elevating this simple steak recipe. When shopping, look for fresh herbs and high-grade filet mignon to get that melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant flavor.

Flat lay of two raw filet mignon steaks with deep red color and marbling, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a few grains of coarse sea salt scattered beside, a small white bowl with ground black pepper, a small white bowl holding softened pale yellow unsalted butter, a small white bowl with finely chopped bright green fresh parsley, a small white bowl with finely chopped fresh thyme leaves, a small white bowl with diced fresh rosemary sprigs, and one whole uncracked garlic bulb with papery white skin placed nearby, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged with perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic dishes and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Filet mignon steaks: Tender, rich, and lean, this cut is naturally buttery soft and cooks beautifully in the air fryer.
Olive oil: Helps season and creates a crisp crust when air-fried.
Fine sea salt: Enhances natural beef flavor without overpowering it.
Ground black pepper: Adds just the right hint of heat and depth.
Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing, it forms the creamy base of the herb butter.
Fresh parsley: Offers bright, slightly peppery notes.
Fresh thyme: Brings subtle earthiness and aroma.
Fresh rosemary: Adds piney, fragrant essence that pairs beautifully with beef.
Garlic: Gives a flavorful punch that complements the herbs and butter perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe is just how versatile it can be. Feel free to tweak the herbs, seasoning, or cooking times to suit your tastes and create your own perfect steak experience.

Variation: For a smoky twist, I like adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a sprinkle of chipotle powder to the steaks before air frying. It adds a subtle warmth without overpowering the natural flavor of the filet.
Herb Swap: If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, dried rosemary, thyme, and parsley will work too—just use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Alternatively, basil or tarragon can give the garlic herb butter a unique, fresh flair.
Butter Upgrade: Try mixing blue cheese or a touch of horseradish into the herb butter for an added punch that pairs wonderfully with the tender filet.
Diet-Friendly: For a dairy-free version, swap the butter with a high-quality olive oil herb blend or a plant-based butter alternative.
Seasonal: In autumn, add finely chopped sage to the herb butter for a cozy seasonal note that complements the richness of the steak.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe

The image shows one large piece of cooked steak sliced into four thick layers, each with a brown outer crust and a juicy pink center. Three slices are laid flat on a wooden board with a texture of small juices on the surface, and the top slice has a spoonful of chopped garlic and green herbs on it. Several green rosemary sprigs are placed over the steak and around it. To the upper right is a whole garlic bulb with a pale white color and dry skin, all set on a white marbled textured background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Let Your Steaks Come to Room Temperature

About 30 minutes before you start cooking, take the filet mignon steaks out of the refrigerator. This step is key to ensuring the meat cooks evenly in the air fryer without ending up cold in the center. You’ll notice the raw steak warming slightly on your countertop—this little pause helps you get perfectly juicy results every time.

Step 2: Whip Up That Flavorful Garlic Herb Butter

While your steaks are coming to room temp, mix the softened unsalted butter with fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, and minced garlic. Use a fork or small spatula to mash everything together until smooth and well combined. I like to place this butter mixture in the fridge to firm up again—to keep it perfect and ready to melt over your hot steaks.

Step 3: Season Your Steaks Just Right

Pat your steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture—that helps create a better crust when cooking. Rub both sides evenly with olive oil, then season with fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. The simplicity of these seasonings lets the natural flavor of the filet shine through.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer ensures it’s hot and ready to sear the steaks immediately, giving you that coveted crust on the outside. This usually takes just a few minutes, so use that time to finish seasoning or get your plating ready.

Step 5: Cook Your Steaks to Perfection

Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer without crowding them. Cook for 10 to 11 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check doneness—aim for an internal temperature of 130°F for that perfectly juicy medium-rare. Remember, the size and thickness of your steak might adjust cooking times slightly, so keep an eye on it.

Step 6: Rest Your Steaks with Herb Butter

Once cooked, immediately transfer your steaks to a plate and top each with half of the garlic herb butter. Loosely tent with aluminum foil and let them rest for 10 minutes. This step lets the butter slowly melt into the meat, and the juices redistribute, turning your steak truly melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Top Tip

Mastering the Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe comes down to a few simple yet crucial techniques. These tips come from plenty of trial, error, and savoring every juicy bite along the way!

Bring Steaks to Room Temperature: Trust me, this step makes all the difference for even cooking. Steaks straight from the fridge tend to cook unevenly, but letting them sit out for 30 minutes smooths out those temperature differences perfectly.
Don’t Skip the Rest: It’s tempting to dig in right after cooking, but resting the filet mignon for 10 minutes with herb butter on top lets the juices redistribute and flavors mingle, creating that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Use a Meat Thermometer: I’ve found that relying on time alone can miss the mark, especially with different steak thicknesses. Checking for an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare ensures every steak is cooked just right.
Cook in Batches if Needed: Overcrowding the air fryer is a rookie mistake I’ve made before. Giving each steak enough space lets the air circulate so you get a gorgeous brown crust rather than steamed meat.

How to Serve Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe

A small clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, holding a single layer of creamy herb butter mixed with small chopped green herbs. The butter looks soft with a slightly rough texture, and bits of herbs are spread evenly throughout. There are faint traces of the butter smeared around the inside of the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter truly shine on the plate, consider finishing with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few fresh herb sprigs like parsley or thyme. A twist of freshly cracked black pepper adds a bit of bite. For a pop of color and subtle crunch, some microgreens or finely chopped chives work beautifully.

Side Dishes

This tender steak pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic roasted asparagus add classic comfort. For something lighter, a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted Brussels sprouts brings bright, complementary flavors. If you want to keep it elegant, a side of sautéed wild mushrooms or a rich red wine reduction works like a charm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover steak should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Keep the garlic herb butter separate, also refrigerated, and it can last up to a week. This way, you can reheat and enjoy steaks that still taste fantastic.

Freezing

This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze cooked steaks in an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2 months. Likewise, the garlic herb butter can be portioned and frozen in small servings wrapped in plastic wrap or in silicone molds for easy thawing.

Reheating

Reheat steak gently to avoid overcooking—preheat your air fryer to 350°F and warm the steak for 3-4 minutes. This method helps retain the juicy texture and allows the herb butter to melt beautifully once again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I cook filet mignon in the air fryer without herb butter?

Absolutely! The herb butter is a delicious finishing touch, but you can enjoy perfectly cooked, tender filet mignon even without it. Just make sure to season your steaks well and let them rest after cooking for juicy results.

How do I know when my filet mignon is medium-rare?

Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 130°F before resting. After a 10-minute rest, it will rise to about 135°F, which is perfect medium-rare.

Can I cook thicker or thinner steaks using this air fryer method?

Yes! Cooking times vary by thickness and desired doneness. For an 8-ounce steak about 1.5” thick, 10-11 minutes hits medium-rare. Adjust time slightly for thicker or thinner cuts, referring to the detailed notes on doneness times and temperatures.

Is it better to cook multiple steaks at once or in batches?

For the best sear and even cooking, avoid overcrowding by cooking steaks in batches if needed. This allows hot air to circulate properly around each steak for a beautiful crust and juicy interior.

Final Thoughts

Making the Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Herb Butter Recipe at home feels like a special dinner made simple. With just a few quality ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you get that gourmet restaurant tenderness and flavor right on your plate. Remember, the magic is in the details—letting the steak come to room temp, perfect seasoning, and that luscious herb butter melting in the final rest. Serve it with your favorite sides, savor every bite, and enjoy the warm confidence that comes from cooking a truly melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon in your own kitchen.