Air fryer ahi tuna steaks cook in minutes and stay tender when cooked to the right temperature. This recipe works with fresh or frozen tuna steaks and includes time and temperature guidance for rare, medium-rare, medium, and well-done tuna.
I make these air fryer ahi tuna steaks when I want something quick, high in protein, and a little different from our usual chicken dinners. Whether you're using fresh or frozen tuna steaks, I'll show you how long to cook them, what temperature works best, and how to tell when they're done so you don't end up with dry fish.
Can You Cook Tuna Steaks in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Ahi tuna steaks cook surprisingly well in the air fryer and only take a few minutes.
The biggest mistake is overcooking them. Once you know the right time and temperature, they're one of the easiest seafood dinners you can make.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in less than 15 minutes
- High-protein dinner for busy weeknights
- Works with fresh or frozen tuna steaks
- Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
- Great for meal prep, salads, bowls, or rice
- Gives you restaurant-style ahi tuna without turning on the stove
How Do You Know When Tuna Steak Is Done?
The easiest way to tell if tuna steak is done is by checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
- Rare: 115°F-120°F
- Medium-rare: 125°F-130°F
- Medium: 135°F-140°F
- Well done: 145°F
You can also check the center of the steak. Rare and medium-rare tuna will still be pink or red in the middle, while fully cooked tuna will be opaque throughout.
Since tuna cooks very quickly, it's best to start checking for doneness a minute or two before the recommended cooking time is up.
Common Mistakes When Cooking Tuna Steak in the Air Fryer
- Overcooking the Tuna: Tuna cooks quickly. Even an extra minute can make a big difference in texture.
- Ignoring Thickness: A thicker tuna steak needs more time than a thinner one. Always use thickness as a guide.
- Skipping the Thermometer: A thermometer helps you cook tuna exactly how you like it without guessing.
- Cooking by Time Alone: Tuna steaks vary in thickness. Two tuna steaks cooked for the same amount of time can end up with very different results, which is why checking the temperature is more reliable than following the clock alone.
Can You Cook Frozen Tuna Steaks in the Air Fryer?
Yes, frozen tuna steaks can be cooked in the air fryer.
For the best texture, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator first. If you're cooking from frozen, simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What You'll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these air fryer ahi tuna steaks:
- Ahi tuna steaks
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lime wedges for serving
The lime dipping sauce is optional, but it adds a bright flavor that pairs well with tuna.
How to season tuna steaks
Season the raw tuna steaks with olive oil, salt, and pepper. It can also be seasoned with herbs like cilantro, dill, mint, and green onions for extra flavor.
For this air fryer recipe; olive oil, salt, and pepper are all you need to make ahi tuna in the air fryer, and the dipping sauce will add the extra flavor.
How to make air fryer tuna steaks
Don't be intimidated by cooking yellowfin tuna in air fryer. It's easy to just season the fish with salt and pepper and seared in the air fryer in a flash.
- Preheat the air fryer at 370 F for 5 minutes.
- Coat all sides of the ahi tuna steaks with olive oil and season all sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the ahi tuna steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry at 370 F for 2 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.
- Meanwhile, combine the coconut amino, green onion, lime juice, and water into a small bowl, set aside.
- Remove the steaks from the basket and thinly slice tuna steaks and serve with the lime dipping sauce and the sides of your choice.
How long to cook tuna steaks in the air fryer
Ahi tuna is a fish low in fat, and it's usually cooked to medium-rare 125ºF to retain moisture.
These cooking times and doneness works with thaw or fresh tuna steaks.
- Rare: 110-115ºF (1 minutes 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)
The FDA recommends cooking all seafood to an internal temperature of 145ºF to prevent foodborne illness.
How to cook frozen tuna steaks in the air fryer
Add the seasoned frozen tuna steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry at 370ºF for 7-10 minutes turning halfway through or desire doneness.
These times work with frozen tuna steaks.
- Rare: 3 minutes per side
- Medium-rare: 4 minutes per side
- Medium: 6 minutes per side
- Well-done: 8+ minutes per side
How to cook tuna steaks on the stove
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 teaspoon olive oil, sear ahi tuna for 2 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Remove from heat and let it rest for a minute or so before slicing.
How to thaw frozen tuna steaks
Here are a couple of the best options on how to thaw frozen yellowfin tuna.
- Put the ahi tuna steaks in the refrigerator and thaw them overnight.
If you forgot to take it out of the freezer, this is a quick and safe option to thaw fish.
- Transfer the fish to a leak proof plastic bag.
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and place the fish in the bowl with the top of the bag out of the water.
- Thaw the fish in the cold water changing the water every 30 minutes until the fish thaws.
- Don't use hot water or thaw ahi tuna on the counter as this can lead to bacteria growth on the fish's surface.
Can you reheat tuna steaks
Leftover tuna steaks can be easily overcooked. There is a fine line between reheating and overcooking yellowfin tuna steaks in the air fryer. If you opted to reheat it in the air fryer, choose a lower temperature and keep checking every 30 seconds until it is heated through.
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Mixing bowls. This set has a cover, which makes it double function as a mixing bowl and storage container.
Instant Meat Thermometer: Takes the temperature in just 2 to 3 seconds.
What to serve with ahi tuna steaks
- Roasted or air fried Brussel sprouts
- Instant Pot Brown rice
- Instant pot Quinoa
- Air Fryer B
roccoli - Asian salad
- Saute Bok choy
More air fryer steaks recipes you'll love
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Air Fryer Ahi Tuna Steaks
Cook ahi tuna steaks in the air fryer with easy timing for a fast dinner that stays tender and not overcooked.
Ingredients
For Tuna Steaks
- 2 (4 - 6 oz.) raw ahi tuna steaks
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Dipping Sauce
- 2 Green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoon coconut amino or reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon of water
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 370 F for 5 minutes.
- Coat all sides of the ahi tuna steaks with olive oil and season all sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the tuna steaks in the air fryer basket and air fry at 370 F for 2 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.
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) - Meanwhile, combine the coconut amino, green onion, lime juice, water and garlic into a small bowl, set aside.
- Remove the steaks from the basket and thinly slice tuna steaks and serve with the lime dipping sauce and side of your choice.
Notes
- Instruction on how to make frozen tuna steaks in the air fryer are in the post above.
- Don’t use hot water or thaw ahi tuna on the counter as this can lead to bacteria growth on the fish's surface.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 132Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 457mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 21g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
What is ahi tuna
First, let start by saying tuna is a large and muscular fish with flesh that ranges from pink to a darker red. The Yellowfin tuna or ahi tuna is smaller in size and is often used in raw fish dishes in Asian cuisines like sushi.
The Hawaiian name ahi tuna, also known as yellowfin, is one of the common types of tuna used for canning. It can also be seared or grilled, and that's what this recipe is about seared ahi tuna in the air fryer.
Is ahi tuna healthy
Eating ahi tuna fish is good for you. This fish is low in fat but full in proteins and other nutrients that can do good to your overall health; it's also higher in mercury than different types of tuna, and you should limit its consumption to 1-3 times a month, and if you are pregnant, you should avoid it.
