Air Fryer Steak Bites
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That first bite says it all — tender steak, crispy edges, and bold seasoning, all made in the air fryer. These Air Fryer Steak Bites cook in minutes, turn out juicy every time, and work just as well for dinner as they do for sharing. I’ll walk you through a simple, fuss-free way to make them at home with minimal prep and cleanup!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Steak Bites in Air Fryer
These air fryer steak bites have steakhouse flavor with weeknight ease!
Steak bites are one of my family’s all‑time favorites, especially when I’m hosting and need something quick and easy. They are especially fun for kids, too! You can serve them as an appetizer (hello Super Bowl!), but they are also great as a meal with your favorite sides.
These steak bites keep things simple, with well-seasoned beef and a quick garlic butter that adds just enough richness without overpowering the steak.
The air fryer locks in the juices and gives you beautifully browned edges in minutes. If you love easy air fryer dinners, you’ll also want to check out Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers, and this Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe!
Ingredient Notes for Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe
- Sirloin Steak | This is a lean and tender cut of beef, so it’s perfect for quick cooking!
- Olive Oil | Helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
- Salt & Black Pepper | The foundation of good steak flavor!
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder | This combo adds savory depth without overpowering.
- Brown Sugar | Just a touch for balance and caramelization!
- Unsalted Butter | Forms the base of the garlic butter sauce.
- Fresh Garlic | Fresh garlic is a non-negotiable for the garlic butter on these steak bites!
- Italian Parsley | Adds freshness and color!
Variations and Substitutions
- Use a different cut of beef: Feel free to use different cuts of steak like ribeye or NY strip works great for extra richness.
- Use your favorite seasoning: You can add paprika to the mix for added flavor or just use your favorite steak seasoning.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for just a bit of spice!
- Change the herbs: Swap parsley for rosemary or thyme. Both go great with steak!
How to Make Air Fryer Steak Bites
This recipe comes together fast! All you need is a bowl, your air fryer, and a few simple ingredients.
SEASON THE STEAK. Cut the sirloin steak into uniform bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
ALLOW TO MARINATE. Toss the steak pieces in the seasoning until evenly coated. Leave the seasoned steak at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
PREHEAT & COOK STEAK BITES. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. for 5-10 minutes while the steak is marinating. Arrange the steak pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Cook the steak for 4-6 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness.
MAKE GARLIC BUTTER. While the steak is cooking, place the melted butter in a bowl and stir in the minced garlic, salt, and chopped parsley.
TOSS STEAK WITH GARLIC BUTTER. Once the steak is done, transfer it to a serving plate and pour on the garlic butter sauce. Stir until all pieces are coated. Allow the steak to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage and Reheating Tips
These steak bites are best fresh, but leftovers reheat beautifully! Here’s how to store them:
- To store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Freeze cooked steak bites for up to 2 months.
- To make ahead: Season the steak up to 24 hours in advance and cook just before serving!
Frequently Asked Questions
Steak bites typically cook in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 400°F, depending on the size of the pieces and your preferred doneness. It’s best to check at 4 minutes, as they cook quickly.
The key is not overcooking them and letting the steak come to room temperature before cooking. Finishing with butter and allowing the steak to rest for a couple of minutes also helps lock in those juices!
Yes, preheating your air fryer helps the steak bites start cooking immediately and promotes better browning. Just 5 minutes of preheating makes a noticeable difference in texture and flavor.
Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?
This easy Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers and my Air Fried Onion Rings are both great air fryer appetizer recipes. I have a Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe, too, which makes a great meal!
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Steak Bites
As an appetizer, I like to dip these air fryer garlic butter steak bites in a sauce like my Yum Yum Sauce Recipe or my Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe.
As a meal, these air fryer steak bites pair perfectly with Baked Potatoes in Air Fryer, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, and a classic salad like my Wedge Salad Recipe or my Broccoli and Bacon Salad Recipe.
They’re also fantastic tucked into tacos or served over rice for an easy meal!
More Fan Favorites
- Cast Iron New York Strip
- Grilled Sirloin Steak
- Steak Sandwich Recipe
- Air Fryer Pork Chops Bone In
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
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Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin steak
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
Garlic Butter
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian parsley chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut the sirloin steak into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
- Toss the steak pieces in the seasoning until evenly coated. Laave the seasoned steak at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. for 5-10 minutes while the steak is marinating.
- Arrange the steak pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket.
- Cook the steak for 4-6 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness.
- While the steak is cooking, place the melted butter in a bowl and stir in the minced garlic, salt, and chopped parsley.
- Once the steak is done, transfer it to a serving plate and pour on the garlic butter sauce. Stir until all pieces are coat all pieces.
- Allow the steak to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- Bring steak to room temperature. Letting the steak sit out for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking helps it cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket! Air fryers work by circulating hot air, and overcrowding blocks that airflow. If the steak pieces are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of sear!
- Preheat the air fryer. This step is important in order to sear the steak and get a nice crust on the outside, without overcooking on the inside.
- Shake or flip halfway. Shaking the basket or flipping the steak bites halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly on all sides.
- Watch your cook time closely! Steak bites cook quickly, and even one extra minute can push them from tender to overdone. Start checking at the 4-minute mark, especially if your pieces are on the smaller side!
- To store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Freeze cooked steak bites for up to 2 months.
- To make ahead: Season the steak up to 24 hours in advance and cook just before serving!
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
