Air Fryer Steak Bites
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When you need a fast, family-friendly dinner that still feels special, these Air Fryer Steak Bites come together in minutes. Our version stands out for its delicious, rich garlic butter sauce that adds big flavor with almost no effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Air Fryer Steak Bites are all about flavor and convenience. The air fryer cooks the meat quickly while keeping it juicy inside and golden on the outside.
A quick garlic butter sauce adds mouthwatering savory flavor that feels special without a ton of work. This recipe is perfect for nights when you want something hearty, fast, and family-approved!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- Keep room between the bites. Making sure the steak bites have room on all sides for the hot air to circulate helps them sear rather than steam.
- Cut evenly. Keeping the steak pieces roughly the same size ensures they cook at the same rate.
- Check for doneness. Every air fryer is different! Aim for about 4 to 5 minutes total for medium-rare.
If your family loves steak, be sure to check out my easy steak salad recipe, too!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Ingredient Notes and Variations
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this recipe. Choose a tender cut of steak, like sirloin or ribeye.
Olive oil spray keeps the pieces from sticking and helps with browning. Season generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
For the buttery finishing touch, you’ll use butter, fresh garlic, and parsley. They melt together into a quick sauce that makes these steak bites irresistible.
If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, you can use a teaspoon of jarred, minced garlic. And if you’d like, feel free to dust the steak with fajita seasoning in place of salt and pepper. Better yet, marinate the steak with this delicious marinade!
How to Make Air Fryer Steak Bites
This is just a summary of the steps. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
- Preheat your air fryer so it’s ready to go. Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, about an inch and a half each, and season them.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil, then arrange the steak bites in a single layer. Avoid stacking them or they won’t brown! Air fry for about 3 minutes, then flip the pieces and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, depending on how well-done you like them.
- Make the garlic butter. While the steak is air frying, melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, then stir in the parsley.
- When the steak is done, drizzle the buttery sauce over the bites and give everything a quick toss to coat.
Make it kid friendly: These steak bites are bite-sized and fun to eat, making them great for kids! Let them dip in homemade Big Mac sauce or ranch dressing for an easy dinner win.
Steak Bites Recipe FAQs
They’re best served fresh, but you can reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to bring them back to life.
It’s best to start with thawed steak for even cooking, but you can cook from frozen if needed. Just add a few extra minutes!
You can, but be sure to cook in batches so the air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded. That way, the steak bites sear properly!
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds steak tri-tip, sirloin, or ribeye, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to your taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to your taste
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep the steak: Pat the 1.5 pounds steak pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with ½ teaspoon sea salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper all over.
- Air fry the steak: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the steak bites in a single layer (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Air fry for 3-4 minutes for medium, flipping the bites over halfway through. Adjust time based on your preferred doneness.
- Make the garlic butter: While the steak cooks, melt the 4 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced 4 cloves garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and remove from heat.
- Add cooked steak bites to pan (off heat) and toss to cover in butter sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- These steak bites are delicious on their own with just salt and pepper, but the garlic butter sauce takes them to the next level!
- For best results, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches if necessary so the steak gets a nice sear rather than steaming.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
These garlic butter steak bites make a filling meal with the addition of a few simple side dishes:
- Grains: Serve over white rice, Instant Pot orzo, quinoa, or mashed potatoes to soak up the amazing sauce.
- Vegetables: Pair with mushrooms, broccoli, or a crisp side salad.
- Sauces: Try a drizzle of ranch dressing or a bit of steak sauce!
