Gordon Ramsay’s air fryer steak is a thick-cut ribeye coated in an 11-ingredient coffee and chilli rub. It cooks at 200C (390F) for 20 minutes and finishes with herb butter. The recipe comes from his Philips air fryer series.
In the video, Ramsay says the coffee mixed with sugar gives a “sweet and sour bitter flavour.” He also says “the longer you put this rub on, the more flavour you get inside that steak.” The rub works best when applied 15-20 minutes ahead.
The result looks “like it’s been cooked on the grill” according to Ramsay, with a dark crust from the coffee and chilli caramelising in the hot air. This is one of his rare recipes where he skips the cast iron pan entirely.
Gordon Ramsay’s Coffee and Chilli Rubbed Air Fryer Ribeye
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
20
minutes20
minutes530
kcal40
minutesGordon Ramsay’s only published air fryer steak recipe, created for the Philips air fryer partnership. An 11-ingredient dry rub built around finely ground espresso and ancho chilli powder. The rub makes enough for 4 steaks and keeps in a sealed jar for weeks.
Ingredients
- For the coffee chilli rub:
60g (¼ cup) ancho chilli powder
60g (¼ cup) finely ground espresso coffee
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tbsp dry mustard powder
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp Aleppo pepper (or ½ tsp cayenne)
- For the steak:
4 boneless ribeye steaks, 5cm (2 inches) thick
Salt and pepper to taste
- For the herb butter:
50g unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp chives and parsley, finely chopped
Directions
- Mix the rub: Combine all 11 rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well. This makes enough for 4 steaks and the leftover keeps in a sealed jar.
- Rub the steaks: Generously press the spice mixture into both sides of each steak. Season with extra salt and pepper. Leave at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Make the herb butter: Mash the softened butter with the chopped chives and parsley. Set aside.
- Preheat: Set the air fryer to 200C (390F).
- Cook: Place the steak in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for another 10 minutes for medium-rare.
- Rest and serve: Transfer to a board, top with a knob of herb butter and rest for 5 minutes. Slice at an angle against the grain.
FAQs
Why does Ramsay use coffee in a steak rub?
Ground coffee creates a dark, bitter crust that caramelises in the heat and adds depth that salt and pepper alone cannot match. The bitterness pairs with the brown sugar sweetness and the chilli heat to build a complex, layered flavour across every bite.
The coffee does not make the steak taste like coffee. It adds an earthy, smoky base note that works the same way cocoa powder does in a Mexican mole. His BBQ sauce uses a similar approach: layering sweet, sour and bitter together.
How long to cook steak in the air fryer?
At 200C (390F), Ramsay cooks for 10 minutes per side for medium-rare on a thick 5cm (2 inch) ribeye. Thinner steaks need less: 7-8 minutes per side for a standard 3cm (1 inch) cut. Always rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
The air fryer circulates hot air around the steak so it cooks evenly without flipping more than once. The coffee rub forms a deep brown surface that looks charred but is not burnt. If the outside is getting too dark, drop the temperature to 180C (360F) for the second half.
What is the compound herb butter?
Softened butter mixed with finely chopped chives and parsley. Press it together and place a knob on the hot steak straight from the air fryer. It melts down through the crust into the meat as the steak rests.
The butter adds richness that the lean air fryer cooking method strips away. His peppercorn sauce is the classic alternative if you prefer a sauce rather than butter, though the coffee rub is bold enough to stand on its own.
Can you cook this steak in a pan instead?
The rub works on any heat source. In a cast iron pan, sear for 3-4 minutes per side over high heat with oil, then finish in a 200C oven for 5-8 minutes. The pan gives a better Maillard crust on the rub while the air fryer gives more even cooking with less smoke.
Ramsay usually cooks his steaks in a pan with butter and thyme. The air fryer version was designed for the Philips partnership because it keeps all the juice inside without the grease. His beef wellington wraps the steak in pastry for yet another way to lock in moisture.
What does Ramsay serve with air fryer steak?
In the video, he makes pan-roasted fingerling potatoes alongside. They are boiled until just tender, halved and fried in butter with smashed garlic, shallot and thyme. Finished with chopped chives and parsley.
For a lighter side, a simple green salad with lemon dressing cuts through the rich rub. His chimichurri is another strong match because the fresh herbs and vinegar contrast the smoky coffee crust.
