Description
Make your kitchen feel like a high-end seafood restaurant with this simple yet elegant air fryer ahi tuna recipe. You can get restaurant-quality results in minutes with a perfectly seared exterior and a tender, flavorful center.
This air fryer ahi tuna recipe brings together Asian-inspired seasonings with fresh tuna’s natural richness. The tuna steaks develop a beautiful golden-brown crust while staying tender and moist inside. You can cook them exactly to your preferred doneness level.
Ingredients
- 2 ahi tuna steaks (6 oz each), 1¼-inch thick.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil.
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil.
- Coarse salt to taste.
- Freshly cracked black pepper.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes while preparing the tuna.
- Pat the tuna steaks really dry with paper towels. This step is vital to achieve a perfect sear.
- Mix olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, and sesame oil in a small bowl to create your marinade.
- Brush the marinade over both sides of the tuna steaks and season generously with coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Place the seasoned tuna steaks in your preheated air fryer basket without overlapping them.
- Cook based on your preferred doneness:
- Rare: 2 minutes total (1.5 minutes per side) – 110-115°F
- Medium-rare: 3-4 minutes total (2 minutes per side) – 125-130°F
- Medium: 8 minutes total (4 minutes per side) – 135-145°F
- Let the tuna rest for 1-2 minutes after removing it from the air fryer before slicing.
Notes
– Keep your tuna in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
– Pick bright red pieces of fresh tuna for best results.
– The USDA’s recommended cooking temperature for tuna is 145°F.
– You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
– Don’t freeze cooked tuna as it becomes dry and rubbery.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian