Marinating steaks before cooking them in an air fryer is a fantastic way to enhance their flavor and tenderness. The marinade infuses the meat with delicious flavors and helps break down the proteins, resulting in a more tender and juicy steak.

When marinating steaks for air frying, it's important to choose the right ingredients and method to maximize the flavor. Here are a few techniques to consider:

1. Acid-based marinades: Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt can help tenderize the meat and add a tangy flavor. For example, you can create a simple marinade by combining lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.
2. Oil-based marinades: Oil-based marinades help keep the meat moist and prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use olive oil, sesame oil, or any other flavorful oil as the base. Add spices, herbs, and aromatics like minced garlic or ginger to enhance the taste. For instance, a popular oil-based marinade for steaks includes soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
3. Dry rubs: While not technically a marinade, dry rubs are another great way to add flavor to your air fryer steaks. A dry rub is a mixture of spices, herbs, salt, and sugar that you rub onto the steak before cooking. You can create a variety of dry rubs based on your preferences, such as a classic blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Regardless of the marinade technique you choose, it's best to let the steaks marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. However, if you have more time, marinating for a few hours or even overnight can result in even more flavorful and tender steaks.

Remember to pat the steaks dry before air frying to ensure they cook evenly and develop a nice crust. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and achieve optimal cooking results.

Here are a few references you can further explore:

• Food Network: How to Marinate Meat
• Taste of Home: How to Marinate Steak
• Bon Appétit: How to Marinate Steak So It's Tender, Juicy, and Packed with Flavor

Happy cooking and enjoy your flavorful air fryer steaks!