Okay, folks, let’s dive into how I cooked up a tri-tip in my air fryer the other day. It turned out pretty darn good, so I figured I’d share my process.
Getting Started
First things first, I grabbed my tri-tip from the fridge. It was about 2.5 pounds, a nice size for a family dinner. I patted it dry with some paper towels – this is key for getting a good sear.
Seasoning It Up
Next up, the seasoning. I’m a simple guy, so I went with a mix of stuff I already had in the pantry:

- Salt (plenty of it!)
- Black pepper (freshly ground, of course)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika – for a little extra somethin’ somethin’.
I rubbed that seasoning mix all over the tri-tip, making sure to get every nook and cranny. Don’t be shy with the spices!
Air Frying Time
I preheated my air fryer to 400°F. It is really important.
Once it was hot, I placed the tri-tip in the air fryer basket. Then I cooked it for about 10 minutes on the first side to get a start on a crust.
After that, I flipped that bad boy over and cooked for another 10 minutes, and started checking the internal temperature.
Checking for Doneness
I used my trusty meat thermometer to check for doneness.I like my tri-tip medium-rare, so I was aiming for around 130-135°* checking the temperature every few minutes until it hits your sweet spot.
Rest and Slice
Once it reached the right temperature, I took the tri-tip out of the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 * part’s really crucial, so resist the urge to slice into it right away!Then I find the way that the grain goes and cut it.
The End
After that, I finished my dinner.It tastes good.