How to cook Ostrich Fillet Steaks in air fryer

Don't be afraid to air fry Ostrich steak fillets because you simply copy the oven cooking instructions provided, with 6 minutes needed in the air fryer.

Air fry Ostrich steak fillets regardless of size and/or thickness, as instructed to on the packaging for oven cooking. For my 18-20mm thick fillets, I air fried to a perfect 'medium,' which was featured on the box. Ostrich fillets cook quickly, so the temp of 355°F/180°C with a full 6 minute cooking time was enough.

I remember the first time I tried Ostrich steaks, which blow my mind just how amazing it  tasted, with a flavour like no other - but a similar one to duck breast I would say.

Last time I cooked an Ostrich steak, it was quickly fried in the pan with a little oil.

Now this time, I am cooking the exact same Ostrich steak selection, in the air fryer; which I must say cooked far better than I could imagine. It took no time too turn to a medium, yet browned enough in the short 6 minutes it took to air fry.

I didn't pick a random 6 minutes of air frying time, the 6 minutes was suggested for oven cooking, well 6-8 minutes; of which I went with lowest suggested of time 6 minutes.

Of course, the air fryer must be well preheated for 5 minutes, and you must turn the Ostrich steaks over halfway, so 3 minutes on each side.

I oiled these Ostrich steaks thoroughly which was useful for adhering the freshly ground black pepper and salt to.

You can line you air fryer in parchment paper or foil to keep your air fryer clean, whilst I chose to go without because I feel the Ostrich fillets will benefit whilst cooking on a  naked metal basket.

Air fry the Ostrich fillets as suggested for oven cooking, otherwise 6 minutes at a temperature of 355°F/180°C will do. You can air fry for approximately 4 minutes for a medium rare, with an option to air fry for 8-10 for well done.

Demonstration was done so on a TESCO-bought, Klien Karoo Ostrich Fillet Steak, weighing 125 each. More importantly, the Ostrich steak fillets were approximately 18-20mm in thickness - which will have a huge bearing on the doneness of your fillets.

Air frying an Ostrich steak essentially needs no longer than 6 minutes, which will produce a very tender steak even though its a lean cut of meat. You will depend on the olive oil for added moisture, and the seasoning for texture.

Prepare Ostrich Steak fillets

Ostrich steak fillets while lean are very tender. Ostrich does lack fat of which you really do need to rub olive oil on the surface of the Ostrich to provide a little Ostrich-infused juice.

• STEP 1: Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes - With only 6 minutes to sear your steaks, use this time wisely by preheating your air fryer for a minimum of 5 minutes
• STEP 2: Rub Olive oil over Ostrich steaks - Rub a generous amount oil on both sides and edges of the fillets

• STEP 3: Season with little salt and pepper - Season the fillets with freshly ground pepper and salt, pressing the seasoning into the meat to ensure it adheres
• STEP 4: Line air fryer basket with parchment paper, optional - Don't use any kind of lining if you can, as the fillets are best placed on a naked basket

NOTE: Whilst lining your air fryer is optional, I recommend you don't because the hot surface of the air fryer basket should help to sear the fillets a tad.

How to air fry Ostrich Steaks

Air frying any size or thickness Ostrich steak fillets is a straightforward process; sit the fillets in your air fryer; cook for a full 6 minutes; turn fillets halfway for even cooking.

• STEP 1: Sit Ostrich steaks in air fryer - Position what could be two small fillets side by side in the air fryer basket
• STEP 2: Set temperature to 355°F/180°C; time to 6 minutes - Ostrich fillets cook fast, thus a medium heat is all you need, with 6 minutes in total

• STEP 3: Air fry for 3 minutes; flip over - With 3 minutes marking the halfway point, remember to turn the fillets over to cook evenly on both sides
• STEP 4: Cook until time; serve immediately - Air fry until the 6 minutes are up, and serve the fillets immediately

NOTE: Ostrich steaks will cool quite quickly and thus its vital you eat right away. Ostrich will be lean but very tender, with a stringy texture on he surface.

Oven Vs. flash fried Vs. air fryer

One thing I've noticed when air frying Ostrich steak fillets when compared to pan frying - of which I've done both - the air frying option certainly feels healthier.

Whilst the producers of Ostrich steak fillets will recommend you flash fry your fillets in a frying pan with a little oil; I will agree this method of cooking Ostrich is the better of all three options - with oven cooking instructions also provided.

Oven cooking is very much like air frying, only your big oven isn't so confined like an air fryer, thus oven cooking will take longer, and therefore your timing will be way out.

Not so with air frying, because the 6 minutes I went with - which was the time provided for the oven cooking instructions - was enough to cook to a 'medium,' which was featured on the packaging if oven cooking for 6-8 minutes. I promise you though, 6 minutes is plenty of time to air fry to a medium, with enough sear on the surface.

I recommend you first flash fry your Ostrich steak fillets to introduce much needed basting juice; whilst air frying for whatever reason, must absolutely be prioritised over oven cooking - which isn't as accurate as air frying.

If you have two Ostrich steak fillets in the box like I did, then why not pan fry one and air fry the other, to compare the difference in taste and texture yourself.

Summary

Expect to have little to no trouble when air frying your Ostrich steak fillets, because this lean but tender cut of meat, will allow for a little margin of error.

Cook from a medium rare to a medium, and it will remain tender but with really no juice.

Air frying to a well done I can't comment on because I never tried it, but it should still be a leaner cut when compared to beef steak for example.

Regardless of size and thickness, I recommend you always air fry Ostrich steak fillets to a temperature of 355°F/180°C, with a full cooking time of 6 minutes. Don't forget the fillets must be turned over at the halfway mark.

Preparing the Ostrich steaks involves smothering the fillets in olive oil to provide a little basting juice, with fresh ground pepper and salt pressed into the surface, which will provide mush needed texture.

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