These air fryer tuna steak slices are marinated in dark sauce, then perfectly seared in an air fryer until medium-rare, have a smoky flavor, and simply just melt in your mouth.
For more seafood recipes try my air fryer salmon, chimichurri steak, foolproof seared tuna tacos, or tasty baked trout.
Tuna Steak Video
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Ingredients
- Ahi Tuna (yellowfin tuna) - you can use fresh or frozen tuna. If frozen, thaw tuna in cold water until soft. Place it in a zip lock bag submerged in water, changing it every 20-30 minutes to prevent bacterial growth. Avoid warm water to prevent rapid bacteria multiplication.
- Sweetener - I prefer maple or agave syrup here over honey for their milder taste, but all options work in the marinade.
- Lime juice - fresh is always best. Other alternatives are lemon or orange juice.
- Garlic powder - always freshly minced.
- Olive oil - helps to combine the marinade ingredients; slight separation is okay. Stir well before adding the ahi tuna steak. Sesame oil is my another favorite for fish marinades.
- Sesame seeds for serving (optional).
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
Tuna steak is best served medium rare, quickly seared over high heat. If you prefer, cook it to medium, but avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
Sushi-grade tuna is considered the highest quality and safe for raw consumption, though ‘’sushi grade’’ isn't an official designation.
How To Make Tuna Steak In Air Fryer
I used a large tuna steak (about 11 ounces) slice from the fish market and cut it in half.
STEP 1: Add all the marinade ingredients except salt and pepper to a large bowl or zip-lock bag.
Add tuna steaks and make sure they are coated nicely.
Leave to marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Reserve the marinade for later.
STEP 2: Preheat the air fryer to 370 Fahrenheit according to manufacturer directions (mine is for 4 minutes). My Air Fryer is Cosori 5.8 quart.
I like to add pepper to the steak before air frying but the correct way is to season with salt and pepper after slicing.
STEP 3: Add the tuna steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 2 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.
If uncertain about overcooking, cook for just 1 minute (ensure the air fryer is preheated!).
STEP 4: Meanwhile, reheat the marinade (sauce) in a small saucepot over medium heat. Reduce it slightly and use it as a sauce on top!
Transfer to a paper towel to remove the excess liquid, rest for 1-3 minutes and serve immediately.
Cooking Temperatures
Rare: 110-115ºF (1 minute and 30 seconds per side)
Medium-rare: 125-130ºF (2-3 minutes per side)
Medium: 135- 145ºF (4 minutes per side)
Well-done: over 150ºF (6+ minutes per side)
How To Cook Seared Tuna Steak In Skillet
For a 4-6 ounce, 1 ½ inch thick tuna steak:
- Heat a nonstick skillet with oil over medium heat.
- Sear the tuna for 1 ½ minutes on each side until medium-rare (or until a thermometer reads 118-120 Fahrenheit at the center after resting).
- Let it rest for 1-2 minutes on a plate before slicing evenly.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper.
Note: Different burners yield varying results, so use your discretion and aim to avoid overcooking the tuna steak.
If the sliced tuna appears too raw, briefly cook it in the hot pan for a minute. However, once overcooked, there's no remedy.
How To Serve Air Fryer Tuna Steak
Asian-style cooked noodles or rice are always a great choice (in my humble opinion)!
Tips
- I use Cosori 5.8-quart Air Fryer. Although it is a bit big, it perfectly fits two ahi tuna steaks. It comes with a digital screen and a free book with plenty of air fryer recipes.
- If you are not comfortable eating tuna medium rare, you can follow the FDA recommendation and cook it until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tuna color - raw tuna varies in color, so be mindful and research it upfront.
- Buy tuna from a reputable seafood seller or restaurant that is knowledgeable about seafood handling. Keep fish cold or frozen and prevent cross-contamination. Remember to wash your hands before and after handling uncooked tuna.
Storing Leftover Tuna
Properly sealed, this ahi tuna steak will keep in the fridge for 2 days.
I wouldn't leave it to consume the next day but if you need to, refrigerate it and reheat it in the oven at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit on a baking sheet or baking dish until just warm.
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Tuna Steak Recipe
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INGREDIENTS
Ahi Tuna
- 2 6-8 ounces tuna steaks, thawed or fresh
Ahi Tuna Steak Marinade
- 3 ½ tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil
For Serving (optional)
- Fresh Tomato Salsa, see notes
- Mashed Potato and Cauliflower Puree, see notes
- More olive oil or cooked/reduced (same) marinade for drizzling on top
- Sesame seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
- I used a large tuna steak (about 11 ounces) slice from the fish market and cut it in half.
- In a large bowl or zip lock bag add all the marinade ingredients except salt/pepper. Add tuna steaks and make sure they are coated nicely.
- Leave to marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes. Reserve the marinade for later.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 Fahrenheit according to manufacturer directions (mine is for 4 minutes). My Air Fryer is Cosori 5.8 quart. I like to add pepper to the steak before air frying but the correct way is to season with salt and pepper after slicing.
- Add the tuna steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 2 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. If uncertain about overcooking, cook for just 1 minute (ensure the air fryer is preheated!).
- Meanwhile, reheat the marinade (sauce) in a small saucepot over medium heat. Reduce it slightly and use it as a sauce on top!
- Transfer to a paper towel to remove the excess liquid, rest for 1-3 minutes and serve immediately.
VIDEO
NOTES
- Heat a nonstick skillet with oil over medium heat.
- Sear the tuna for 1 ½ minutes on each side until medium-rare (or until a thermometer reads 118-120 Fahrenheit at the center after resting).
- Let it rest for 1-2 minutes on a plate before slicing evenly.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Rare: 110-115ºF (1 minute and 30 seconds per side)
- Medium-rare: 125-130ºF (2-3 minutes per side)
- Medium: 135- 145ºF (4 minutes per side)
- Well-done: over 150ºF (6+ minutes per side)
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
FAQs
Ahi tuna typically has a grade label, with Grade #1 being the highest quality. This indicates that the fish was handled properly and frozen immediately after catching.
In summary, the safest raw-consumption options are tuna and farmed salmon.
Consume defrosted and prepared raw ahi tuna on the same day for best results.
If handled properly, eating within 1-2 days can be safe. After preparation, store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 1-2 days.
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
david razowsky
I see sesame seeds in the picture but not in the recipe.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
sesame seeds are optional and are for serving purposes.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Melt in your mouth tuna!