Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Cheese
Sometimes an expensive steakhouse isn’t in the cards, and when that’s the case, this bacon wrapped filet mignon is every bit as special and delicious and made directly in your air fryer. With melted gorgonzola cheese on top this is the perfect date night in recipe.
Living in Alaska, cooking steaks on the grill just isn’t always an option, that’s why the air fryer comes in handy when we want a beautiful steak dinner in the middle of a 12-foot snowstorm. Simply keep an eye on your steaks, use an instant-read thermometer and let the air fryer do the work to deliver the perfect filet mignon.
Now you’ve got the perfect air fryer filet mignon, so let’s get the delicious sides to go with it. Pair with greek yogurt mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli or add some flare with green chile corn casserole (my favorite!).
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Carb-free and high protein.
- Perfect for date night or special occasions.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients list and instructions:
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- Beef Tenderloin Steaks: filet mignon is part of the tenderloin section of the cow. It’s my favorite steak cut because it’s incredibly tender and has the most juicy meat while being delicate, light and not fatty. For best results use the same cut of beef for this air fryer recipe.
- Thick Cut Bacon: I like thick cut because when wrapped around the steak it’ll have a crispy texture without breaking from being too thin or possibly burning. I use Hemplers Sugar-Free Bacon.
- Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese Crumbles: totally optional but hello…steak and creamy cheese? It’s a yes for me.
- Kosher Salt: I like using thick-course kosher salt when cooking streak. Always salt with your heart! You likely do not salt your meat heavily enough, because it can be intimidating. Salt well but remember the bacon will add some too.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add garlic powder and/or olive oil to the steak for some added flavor.
- Skip the cheese on top or add your favorite cream sauce. This is also delicious with a demi glaze or sauteed mushrooms.
- You 1000% can skip the cheese! I love it with the cheese on top for an added steakhouse feel but you can definitely omit.
- Top with butter instead of cheese.
Dietary Modifications
- For dairy-free omit the cheese on top. This recipe is gluten-free as written.
Let’s make the perfect filet mignon steaks in the air fryer:
Step 1: prep the steak
Set the filet out for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Cut into 6 oz. pieces and season all sides well with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper (image 1).
Take one piece of bacon per filet and wrap it around the outside of the meat, or around the outer edge of the filet and secure with a toothpick (image 2).
Step 2: preheat air fryer and air fry filet mignon for desired time
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, add the filets to the air fryer basket (image 3), spray the tops with cooking spray and cook at 400 for 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired doneness.
Important: remove steaks when 5 degrees BELOW the desired temperature (image 4). Example: medium rare: remove at 130ºF. The steaks continue to cook internally when resting.
If adding cheese crumbles, top the filet with blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese crumbles for one additional minute of cooking time to melt and soften (image 5).
Step 3: remove and let steak rest
When done, remove the steaks from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes. During this time the centers will continue to warm as they rest.
Expert Tip!
Steaks continue to cook as they rest. Removing them early ensures the meat is cooked to your preferred doneness.
Recipe FAQs
Leftover filet mignon? Not in my house! Because steak is cooked perfectly to your liking, re-heating it might overcook it. But, if you do find yourself with any extra, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I love to add it cold to salads or warm it up and add to fajitas or steak and eggs.
If you’ve never gotten into an argument about what a perfect steak is…you probably don’t eat steak. Everyone has their personal preference and I love that for them. For a beautiful cut of meat, like filet mignon, I think medium rare is the best way to enjoy all the juicy flavors. I like it red but not mooing. But this is your meal, so make it how you love it.
No steak dinner is complete without its proper accoutrements. Serve with twice baked potatoes, roasted veggies, smashed potatoes or a side salad.
Filet mignon is my favorite cut of meat but I save it for special occasions because it’s fairly expensive. If filet isn’t in the budget you can totally make this with ribeye or top sirloin steaks. Be sure to check the temperature to ensure your steak is cooked perfectly.
We just use kosher salt and lots of it but if you want that extra steakhouse flavor, spread garlic herb butter or blue cheese butter on top of your filet immediately after cooking. You could even season with some steak seasoning or garlic powder for extra flavor.
Check out our other easy air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
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Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. beef tenderloin steaks (filet mignon) 1 1/2 to 2 inch thick
- 4 slices thick cut bacon
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- 2 oz. gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Set the filet out for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Cut the tenderloin into four 6 oz. filets and season all sides well with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper (optional), you can also do 4 oz. filets.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Take one piece of bacon per filet and wrap it around the top and bottom of the filet or around the outer edge of the filet and secure with a toothpick.
- Add the filets to the air fryer basket, spray the tops with cooking spray and cook at 400 for 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. (See the notes section for temperature ranges.) You want to remove your steaks when they are 5 ºF BELOW the desired temperature.
- If adding cheese crumbles, top the filet with 0.5 oz. each of cheese crumbles (more if desired!) and cook for one additional minute to melt and soften.
- When done, remove the steaks from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes. During this time the center of the steak will continue to warm as they rest. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition facts include the cheese and will change with any substitutions.
- Can use pre cut filets as well, just be sure they’re 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick for the best results.
- Take steak out when 5 degrees F BELOW the desired temperature. Example: For medium, take steak out of the oven when it reaches 130 degrees.
- Cook times depend on the thickness of your steak: thicker steaks take longer. Thinner steaks take shorter! These times and temps are for steaks from 1 ½ – 2 inches thick. Pulled it out too early? No biggy, cook another minute!
- 125 ºF – Rare: 1 ½ inch thick: 10 minutes
- 135 ºF – Medium – rare: 1 ½ inch thick: 12 minutes
- 145 ºF – Medium: 1 ½ inch thick: 13 minutes
- 155 ºF – Medium-well: 1 ½ inch thick: 15 minutes