How to Make Perfect Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon in an Air Fryer

Wrapping tender filet mignon in crispy bacon is a match made in heaven. The savory, salty bacon complements the mild beef beautifully. But achieving medium-rare steak and crisp bacon together can be tricky with traditional cooking methods. That’s where the air fryer comes in!

Air frying allows you to cook the filet and bacon to absolute perfection in one quick easy step. In just minutes you can enjoy a restaurant-quality surf and turf meal from the comfort of home.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make mouthwatering bacon wrapped filet mignon in your air fryer.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon Wrapped Filet in an Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to cook bacon wrapped filet mignon has several advantages over oven broiling or pan frying

• Convenience – No need to pre-cook bacon. Fry meat and bacon together.

• Quick Cooking – Entire meal done start to finish in under 15 minutes,

• Even Cooking – Hot air circulates around food for uniform doneness.

• No Splatter – Oil-free air frying contains mess to inside of basket.

• Easy Cleanup – Minimal splatter means very little clean up required.

• Tender and Juicy – Rapid air frying locks in steak moisture.

• Better Bacon – Crisp bacon without curling compared to oven.

• Compact Size – Most air fryer models take up less space than an oven.

Cooking this surf and turf meal in the air fryer gives you the best of both worlds – tender, juicy steak and crispy bacon in way less time and with less effort than other methods.

How to Buy Filet Mignon for Air Frying

When purchasing filet mignon to cook in your air fryer, keep these tips in mind:

• Thickness – Choose filets 1.5 – 2 inches thick to allow steak to cook through while searing the outside.

• Marbling – Moderate marbling provides flavor and moisture. Avoid filets with big unbroken sections of fat.

• Portion Size – Look for 6-8 oz filets for single servings. Scale up accordingly for multiple servings.

• Quality – Prime grade certified Angus beef offers ultimate taste and tenderness.

• Freshness – Ensure meat looks vibrant red and feels firm, not slimy.

Buying the right thickness and quality of filet mignon is key to achieving the perfect medium-rare doneness in the short air fryer cook time.

Picking the Best Bacon

Not all bacon is created equal when it comes to wrapping around steak. Here’s what to look for:

• Thickness – Opt for thick-cut bacon around 1/8 inch thick to hold up during cooking.

• Wood Smoked – The smoky flavor complements steak beautifully.

• Good Fat Ratio – Look for bacon with a substantial amount of lean meat.

• Meaty Texture – Avoid brittle or very fatty bacon that won’t crisp well.

• Short Cure – Minimally processed bacons wrap better than very stiff sliced.

Seek out high-quality, artisanal thick-cut smoked bacon to get the best results. The flavor and texture will be far superior to typical thin breakfast bacon.

Ingredients Needed

Cooking bacon wrapped filet mignon in an air fryer only requires a few simple ingredients:

• Filet mignon steak, 6-8 oz portion size
• Thick-cut wood smoked bacon
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

That’s it! The rich flavors of the beef and bacon shine with just a light coating of oil and basic seasonings.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfect bacon wrapped filet mignon every time:

1. Prepare the Filet

• Pat the filet dry with paper towels.

• Brush or rub each side with olive or avocado oil.

• Generously season with salt, pepper, and any other spices like garlic powder or herbs.

2. Wrap with Bacon

• Trim bacon slices to match the length of the filets.

• Wrap bacon evenly around sides of filet, slightly overlapping ends.

• Secure bacon in place by threading a toothpick through filet and ends of bacon.

3. Air Fry the Filets

• Preheat air fryer to 390°F.

• Place bacon wrapped filets in fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd.

• Air fry for 4 minutes at 390°F.

• Flip filets and air fry 4 more minutes.

• Check temperature and cook up to 2 minutes more if needed.

• Remove filets and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked filet mignon and crispy bacon ready to enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• Brush filet with oil before seasoning so spices stick better.

• Trim excess fat from bacon edges to prevent curling.

• Don’t overcrowd basket – cook filets in batches for even cooking.

• Insert thermometer in side of filet to get accurate reading.

• Let filets rest before serving for juices to redistribute.

How to Get Perfect Doneness

Achieving your ideal doneness of rare, medium-rare, etc takes a little finesse in the speedy air fryer:

• Rare – Cook to internal temp of 125°F and rest.

• Medium-Rare – Cook to 125°F. Rest to reach 135°F.

• Medium – Cook to 135°F. Rest to reach 145°F.

• Medium-Well – Cook to 145°F. Rest to reach 150°F.

• Well-Done – Cook to 155°F. Rest to 160°F+

Use a meat thermometer to track doneness. Letting the steak rest after air frying allows the temperature to coast up to your desired final internal temp.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

To get a head start on this recipe:

• Wrap raw filets in bacon up to 2 days in advance. Store wrapped filets in the fridge.

• Cooked bacon wrapped filets keep well in fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

• Freeze wrapped raw or cooked filets up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before cooking or reheating.

Prepping the stuffed filets ahead saves you time when ready to air fry. And cooking a batch yields several ready-to-eat meals for your week.

Serving Suggestions

Bacon wrapped filet mignon makes a perfect entree for special occasions and holidays like:

• Anniversary or Valentine’s Day dinner
• Date night at home
• Christmas Eve or Mother’s Day
• Impress out of town guests
• Celebratory steak dinner

Serve with lovely sides like:

• Asparagus or green beans
• Twice baked or au gratin potatoes
• Creme brulee or chocolate lava cake

Or keep it casual with basics like:

• Mashed or baked potatoes
• Caesar salad or wedge salad
• Garlic bread or rolls

However you choose to complement these bacon wrapped filets, you’re sure to impress!

More Air Fryer Steak Recipes

If you love cooking steak in the air fryer, try these tasty recipes:

• Steak Fajitas – Flank steak with peppers and onions

• Teriyaki Steak Bites – Marinated sirloin tips

• Steak and Potatoes – Top sirloin steak with roasted potatoes

• Steak Salad – Mixed greens with seared sirloin

• Steak Tacos – Skirt steak with all the taco toppings

The air fryer lets you quickly cook steak to perfection any night of the week. Ditch the grill and give these recipes a try!

Common Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking bacon wrapped filet in an air fryer:

What size filet should I buy for air frying?

Look for 6-8 ounce filets about 1.5 – 2 inches thick. Larger