Quick and easy air fryer frozen tuna steaks are a delicious lunch or dinner that only takes 15 minutes to make - no marinating or thawing necessary! These air-fried tuna steaks are seasoned simply with salt, and black pepper, and then garnished with fresh lemon wedges.

Perfect for any fish lover these air fryer tuna steaks are an impressive meal that takes very little time to make. Since we are cooking these steaks from frozen they are even easier to prepare for quick lunches or dinners even if you forgot to take something out of the freezer to thaw.

The steaks have a wonderfully crispy exterior with juicy, tender, and flaky fish on the inside. They are served with fresh lemon wedges to give a fresh brightness to this easy seafood meal.

How to make air fryer frozen tuna steaks

Before you start cooking, you need to make your air fryer hot. Set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. It should take about 5 minutes to get hot enough.

While your air fryer is getting hot, you can get your frozen tuna steaks ready. Spray them lightly with some cooking oil or brush them with a bit of oil. This helps them cook well and gives them a nice color.

After that, sprinkle some salt and pepper on both sides of the steaks. You can decide how much you want to use, but remember, it's easier to add more later if you need it.

Once the air fryer is hot enough and your tuna steaks are seasoned, put them in the air fryer. Be sure to leave some space between them so they're not touching. This is important because it helps them cook evenly.

Now you're ready to cook your steaks. Below you can find how much time you will need for a perfectly cooked air fryer frozen tuna steak.

Cooking time and internal temperature

Cooking times for frozen tuna steak in an air fryer can vary depending on the thickness of the steak and the exact temperature of your air fryer. But here is a general guide for cooking frozen tuna steaks in an air fryer preheated to 400°F (200°C):

Rare: Cook for 6-7 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 115-120°F (46-49°C).
Medium-rare: Cook for 8-9 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 125-130°F (52-54°C).
Medium: Cook for 10-11 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 135-140°F (57-60°C).
Medium-well: Cook for 12-13 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 145-150°F (63-66°C).
Well-done: Cook for 14-15 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 155°F (68°C) or more.

After cooking, let the steaks rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

Please note these are approximate times and may vary based on the specifics of your air fryer and the size of your tuna steaks. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your steaks are cooked to your preferred level of doneness.

Recipe ingredients

Frozen tuna steaks. No need to thaw them first just remove them straight from the package.
Oil. Olive oil is used to allow the seasonings to stick onto the tuna steaks and to keep the fish from sticking to the air fryer and drying out.
Seasonings. These steaks are seasoned simply with just salt and black pepper to taste.
Serving. Serve your air fryer tuna steaks with a few lemon wedges to give a bright citrus flavor to this dish.

Which fish you should you buy

There are many different varieties of tuna that you can use for this recipe. The most popular are ahi, albacore, and bluefin tuna.

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Ahi tuna, also known as yellowfin tuna is one of the most popular types of fish used in canning and for sushi. It is a mild-tasting flaky fish with a meaty texture. It's a great all-around fish perfect for most people.

Albacore tuna has a mildly fishy flavor with a firm and steak-like texture.

Bluefin tuna on the other hand has more fat content with a very rich flavor and it's perfect for fish lovers!

Variations

Seasonings. This is a simple air fryer fish recipe, so feel free to add your favorite seasonings to the tuna steaks such as lemon pepper seasoning, Old Bay, soy sauce, onion, and garlic powder. You can also serve your steaks with fresh cilantro or green onions for extra flavor.

Oil. Since we are air frying the tuna at a pretty high temperature it's best to use an oil with a high smoke point. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or refined coconut oil are great options. Regular or toasted sesame oil can also be used to give a nice nutty flavor to the tuna steaks.

Tuna. Use whichever tuna variety you have on hand or enjoy the most, ahi tuna is always a favorite! If you plan on preparing your tuna steaks closer to medium rare, pick steaks that are at least 1 inch thick.

Frequently asked questions

How long does tuna take to cook?

Depending on the size of your tuna steaks they can take about 15 minutes to cook inside the air fryer.

Should I thaw tuna steaks before cooking?

Not at all! The beauty of this recipe is that you don't have to thaw the tuna steaks before cooking, just place them into the air fryer straight from the freezer!

What temperature should tuna be cooked to?

This will depend on how you like to enjoy your tuna. Tuna steaks are fully cooked at 145 degrees Fahrenheit. However, tuna is often served medium rare which is 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is my tuna steak tough?

If your tuna steak is tough it was probably overcooked. Tuna is a very lean fish and it can easily become dry and chewy when overcooked. Because of this, stay near your air fryer while the steaks are cooking since they take just a few minutes to cook.

How do you cook tuna steaks without drying them out?

Cooking tuna steaks in the air fryer is a great way to prepare them without having to worry about them drying out. They cook quickly and turn out juicy every time!

Side dishes

Grilled or Roasted Vegetables: This could include zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, or tomatoes.
Rice or Quinoa: These grains can be served plain, or you could make a pilaf with garlic, onions, and herbs.
Pasta Salad: A light pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing can complement the rich flavors of tuna.
Fresh Salad: A leafy green salad with a light dressing could provide a nice contrast to the richness of the tuna.
Potato Salad: A classic side dish that works especially well if you're serving the tuna cold or in a salad.
Green Beans: Steamed, sautéed, or roasted, green beans are a classic side for fish.

Storage instructions

Allow your cooked tuna steaks to cool down to room temperature, then wrap each steak individually using plastic wrap or aluminum foil. After they are wrapped, place them into an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag.

To avoid any risk of bacterial growth, make sure you store the tuna steaks in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. The steaks should stay good for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the wrapped steaks, stored in a freezer-safe bag or container, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frozen Tuna Steak in Air Fryer

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

2 frozen tuna steaks
Olive oil or cooking spray
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Lemon, sliced into wedges

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly coat frozen tuna steaks with oil or cooking spray, season with salt and pepper.
Place the steaks in a preheated air fryer, ensuring they're not touching each other.
Cook for 8-10 minutes (estimates for time and donness are below in notes)

Notes

Rare: Cook for 6-7 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 115-120°F (46-49°C).

Medium-rare: Cook for 8-9 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 125-130°F (52-54°C).

Medium: Cook for 10-11 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 135-140°F (57-60°C).

Medium-well: Cook for 12-13 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 145-150°F (63-66°C).

Well-done: Cook for 14-15 minutes. The steak should have an internal temperature of about 155°F (68°C) or more.

Leftovers

To avoid any risk of bacterial growth, make sure you store the tuna steaks in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. The steaks should stay good for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the wrapped steaks, stored in a freezer-safe bag or container, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.