Cooking bacon wrapped sirloin in an air fryer gives you crispy bacon and a perfectly cooked steak in under twenty minutes. If you want to know how to cook bacon wrapped sirloin in air fryer, this guide walks you through every step. You get a juicy steak, salty bacon, and almost no cleanup.
The air fryer is perfect for this dish. It cooks the bacon fast while keeping the sirloin tender inside. No splatter on your stove, no hot oil popping on your arms.
Below you’ll find the full method, plus tips on seasoning, timing, and resting the meat. Let’s get into it.
Why Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sirloin Works So Well
An air fryer moves hot air around the food at high speed. That means the bacon crisps on all sides without flipping it in a pan of grease.
The steak stays moist because the bacon wraps around it like a little blanket. The fat from the bacon bastes the sirloin as it cooks.
- Fast cook time: 10 to 14 minutes total
- Less mess than a skillet or oven
- Even browning on the bacon
- No need to preheat a big oven
You do need to watch the thickness of your steak. Thin cuts cook faster and can dry out. Thick cuts need a few more minutes.
How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Sirloin In Air Fryer
This is the main event. Follow these steps closely and you’ll get great results everytime.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 2 sirloin steaks, about 1 inch thick (6 to 8 ounces each)
- 4 slices of thin-cut bacon (2 per steak)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, onion powder, or steak seasoning
- Toothpicks (wooden, soaked in water for 10 minutes)
Thin bacon works better then thick cut here. Thick bacon takes longer to crisp and may burn before the steak is done.
Step By Step Instructions
- Take the steaks out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Room temp meat cooks more even.
- Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Wet meat steams instead of sears.
- Rub each steak with a little olive oil. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.
- Wrap two slices of bacon around each steak. Overlap the ends slightly so the bacon stays put.
- Secure the bacon with toothpicks. Push them through the bacon and into the meat. This keeps the strips from curling up.
- Preheat your air fryer at 400°F for 3 minutes. This step is not optional if you want crispy bacon.
- Place the steaks in the basket. Leave space between them. Do not stack.
- Cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare. Flip once at the halfway point.
- Check the internal temp with a meat thermometer. 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium, 150°F for medium-well.
- Remove the toothpicks carefully. Let the steaks rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cutting.
Resting is important. It lets the juices settle back into the meat. If you cut too soon, the juice runs out and the steak feels dry.
Air Fryer Time And Temperature Chart
- Medium-rare: 10 to 11 minutes, 130°F internal
- Medium: 12 to 13 minutes, 140°F internal
- Medium-well: 14 to 15 minutes, 150°F internal
- Well done: 16 to 17 minutes, 160°F internal
These times are for a 1 inch thick sirloin at 400°F. Add 2 minutes if your steak is thicker. Subtract 2 minutes if it is thinner.
Every air fryer runs a little different. Your first time, check the temp at the 10 minute mark. Adjust from there.
Tips For The Best Bacon Wrapped Sirloin
Use Thin Bacon And Secure It Well
Thin bacon crisps up fast. Thick bacon stays chewy and can make the steak cook uneven. Toothpicks are your friend here. Soak them first so they don’t burn.
Do Not Overcrowd The Basket
Hot air needs to flow around the food. If you pile steaks on top of each other, the bacon gets soggy. Cook in batches if you have a small air fryer.
Season The Steak, Not Just The Bacon
Bacon brings salt, but the steak needs its own seasoning. A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder goes a long way. You can also use a store bought steak rub.
Let The Steak Rest
Five minutes on the counter makes a real difference. Cover it loosely with foil so it stays warm. This is a small step that most people skip.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Cooking cold steak straight from the fridge
- Using thick cut bacon
- Forgetting to preheat the air fryer
- Skipping the flip halfway through
- Not checking the internal temperature
- Cutting the steak before it rests
Each of these can turn a great steak into a so-so one. Pay attention to the small stuff and you will be fine.
Serving Ideas
This steak pairs well with simple sides. Try roasted green beans, a baked potato, or a small salad. The bacon adds enough flavor that you don’t need a heavy sauce.
If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes. Do not use the microwave or the bacon goes soft.
So there you have it. Bacon wrapped sirloin in the air fryer is fast, easy, and tastes like a steakhouse meal at home. Grab your ingredients, fire up that air fryer, and give it a try this week. Once you nail the timing, you’ll make this dish again and again.