For a quick and easy meal that will please kids and adults alike, these Air Fryer Steak Bites are just what you need. Lightly charred steak that is juicy and tender on the inside is tossed in a delicious garlic butter sauce to create a flavor combo that will leave you doing a happy dance.
If you're looking for an easy and delicious way serve up a steak dinner, look no further than these juicy steak bites!
Seasoned with a simple spice rub and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, these little morsels are so satisfying. The simple garlic butter takes flavors to a whole new level.
Serve them with green beans and sheet pan potatoes for a simple weeknight meal everyone will love.
Ingredients for Making Steak Bites in the Air Fryer
- Steak: I like to use top sirloin steak to make air fryer sirloin steak bites, but feel free to use different cuts of steak. Ribeye, flank steak, and New York strip steak are all excellent options. Avoid a cut (like a chuck roast) that is overly tough for the best air fryer steak bites. Whatever type of steak you choose, make sure to cube it.
- Seasonings: I kept the seasonings simple with just brown sugar, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For a quick option, steak seasoning is fabulous.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil is my personal favorite because it has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, but you can also use olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other type of cooking oil.
- Butter: A little bit of butter melted over the steak bites right before serving adds even more delicious flavor.
- Chopped parsley: I like to add chopped parsley to the garlic butter for a touch of freshness and color.
- Minced garlic: I love the flavor that minced garlic adds to these air fryer steak bites. You can substitute garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
Tips & Tricks
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: You'll want to ensure that your steak cubes have plenty of space so they can cook evenly. If you overcrowd the basket, your steak will end up steaming instead of air frying.
- Use a meat thermometer: If unsure whether your steak is done, use a meat thermometer to check. Steak is considered medium rare when it registers at 130 - 140°F, medium when it registers at 150°F, and well done when it registers at 160°F.
- Let the steak bites rest: Once they are cooked, transfer them to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before cutting into them. This will help to lock in all the juices.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. I like to use them on a wrap with cheese, or serve them with chimichurri sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer steak bites recipe is a main course that goes along with so many side dishes.
Great options include mashed potatoes, Blackstone Asparagus, Instant Pot Red Potato Salad, Broccoli Slaw Salad, Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, and Sour Cream Potato Salad.
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Storage
Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
How to Cook Steak Bites in the Air Fryer
First, start by trimming the steak and cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Aim for 1-inch cubes.
Then, add the steak to a large bowl and sprinkle with the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine, then add the oil and stir again to coat.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and add the steak in a single layer. (Depending on your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.) Cook for 5 minutes or to desired doneness (we like medium-rare), flipping the steak bites halfway through cooking.
While the steak is cooking, combine the butter, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl. Toss the steak with the butter while warm, and let rest for 5 minutes.
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Steak
- 1 pound sirloin steak
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Butter
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Trim the steak and cut it into 1-inch pieces, and place it in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the steak. Stir to combine, and then add the oil. Stir again to coat.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400° F.
- Add the steak in a single layer.
- Cook for 5 minutes or to desired doneness, tossing halfway through the cooking time..
- While the steak is cooking, combine the butter, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Toss the steak with the butter while warm, and let rest for 5 minutes.
Cami says
Wow i love this so much! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Allyssa says
Really loved this very helpful recipe! Highly recommended! Thanks a lot for this amazing and super easy to make streak bites recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again!
Sue says
Wendy......I LOVE your website. Your recipes are great, the organization of your site is simple and easy to deal. I love getting the recipes daily. I'm so tired of being invaded by e-notifications that I didn't ask for and have to deal with to get off their mail lists. Thanks for continuing to be "YOU".
Wendy Polisi says
Aww - thanks so much! You made my day.