I can’t get enough of the big, bold flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of my tri tip in the air fryer! My recipe is incredibly easy, but it’s a knock-out hit every time I make it.

My Easy Recipe For Air Fryer Tri Tip

I’ve always loved Santa Maria style tri tip, but sometimes, I’m just not in the mood to stand over a grill. So when I saw a gorgeous tri tip cut at the butcher counter one day, I thought why not try making tri tip in the air fryer!

No matter how many incredible air fryer steaks I make, my husband Ben is always a skeptic at first. He thinks beef should go on the grill. But I usually win him over, so I had high hopes for my air fryer tri tip!

I marinated the beef for maximum flavor and tenderness, then let the air fryer work its magic. Honestly, the whole house smelled so good, my husband didn’t even give me the usual skepticism! 

I had a feeling the trip tip would be tender and tasty, but I took my first bite, even I was surprised! My son Connor actually told me it was the best steak he’d ever had, and my husband kept going back for more helpings until the whole thing was gone!

And if you love tri tip recipes, try my tri tip crock pot recipe, tri tip in the oven, tri tip sandwich, and instant pot tri tip.

Air Fryer Tri Tip Ingredients

• Tri tip – This is the triangular cut of beef that comes from the bottom sirloin and is also known as California tri tip.
• Soy sauce – Adds saltiness, depth, and umami flavor.
• Lemon juice – This helps tenderize the beef while adding brightness. Lime juice will work as well, but I love the flavor the lemon juice brings.
• Olive oil – I use olive oil, but another neutral oil like vegetable oil will work too.
• Brown sugar – I love the sweetness this adds to the steak. I’ve substituted this for granulated sugar and a little molasses.
• Worcestershire sauce – Brings richness and a slight tang.
• Garlic and onion powder – I use these spices to help season the steak and add savory flavor.
• Black pepper – Gives the beef a mild spice.

How to Cook Tri Tip in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: In a large plastic zipper bag, combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. 

STEP TWO: Add the roast to the bag, squeeze out any air, then seal the bag shut. Move the roast around in the bag to coat, then refrigerate it for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

STEP THREE: When ready to cook, remove the roast from the bag, discard the marinade, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. 

STEP FOUR: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. 

STEP FIVE: Place the steak in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes per pound until it reaches your desired level of doneness. 

STEP SIX: Remove the roast from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent with foil and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Air Fry Tri Tip

• I let the roast marinate for at least a few hours. I love the flavors of the marinade, and more time allows the beef to soak up as much as possible!
• I give the roast 30 minutes to come to room temperature before cooking so it doesn’t go into the air fryer completely cold, which can cause uneven cooking. 
• Always preheat the air fryer. It’s such a small step but makes such a difference, so I never skip it!
• My family likes our steak medium rare, so I cook the tri tip in the air fryer for about 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F.
• I give the roast at least 10 minutes to rest under tin foil. This allows the meat to cool, which relaxes the fibers so they can reabsorb their juices. 
• I slice my tri tip roast against the grain for the best texture. This shortens the meat fibers for maximum tenderness in every bite!

Air Fryer Tri-Tip Roast Variations and Substitutions

• For an extra boost of flavor, I’ll use Montreal steak seasoning in the marinade.
• I sometimes use red wine vinegar instead of lemon juice for a deeper, tangier marinade.
• A little smoked paprika in the marinade adds a wonderful smokiness. My husband always asks me to make this version.
• For some earthy flavor, I’ll add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme to the marinade.
• I love having a little herb butter to go with beef, so I’ll sometimes whip up a batch while the tri tip is air frying.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Tri Tip

I like to pair a flavorful, hearty air fryer tri tip with an air fryer baked potato, diced potatoes in the air fryer, or Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes.

For simple veggie sides, my air fryer broccoli, air fryer carrots, or roasted carrots and asparagus recipes never fail me!

Tri Tip in the Air Fryer FAQs

How can I get my air fryer tri tip to be tender?

Marinating the tri-tip tenderizes the meat, and then I let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before air frying to help it cook evenly. After that, I just make sure to cook my tri tip in the air fryer until a meat thermometer tells me the internal temperature is 130 degrees F. 

How long to cook tri tip in the air fryer

I love to use the rule of thumb of 10-12 minutes per pound when air frying tri tip. So for a 3-pound tri-tip roast, I plan to cook it for 30-36 minutes total for medium rare.. I also recommend using an instant read thermometer to cook it to the preferred doneness level.

• Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F
• Medium: 140-145 degrees F
• Medium-well: 145-150 degrees F
• Well Done: 155-160 degrees F

Why is my air fry tri tip so tough?

The only times my tri-tip has been tough have been because I didn’t let it come up to room temperature before air frying, because I overcooked it, or because I didn’t give it time to rest before slicing. These small steps make a huge difference!

How to store and reheat leftover tri tip in the air fryer?

I let my leftover tri-tip fully cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

When reheating, I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, then cook the tri tip in the air fryer for about 5 minutes until it’s warmed through.

More Easy Air Fryer Steak Recipes

• Air fryer steak bites
• Air fryer sirloin steak
• Air fryer flank steak
• Air fryer ribeye steak
• Air fryer filet mignon