Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
If you're looking for a quick and juicy steak bite recipe, you're in the right place. These air fryer garlic butter steak bites are packed with flavor, crispy on the outside, and so tender on the inside. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to eat the whole batch! They come together in just 15 minutes with super simple ingredients, making them the perfect option for busy nights when you want something delicious without fussing over a full steak. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked.
Want another steak recipe? Try my Gordon Ramsey’s Pan Seared Steak
Why You’re Going to Love These Steak Bites
Beginner Cooks – Easy steps, no fancy techniques, and minimal prep. You got this!
Busy People – Air frying steak takes just 5-7 minutes. Hello, quick weeknight dinner!
Protein Lovers – Packed with protein and super satisfying without needing all the extra stuff.
Air Fryer Fans – The perfect air fryer steak. Crispy edges without the mess of splattering grease!
Low-Carb/Keto Dieters – Naturally low in carbs, so it pairs perfectly with your favorite keto sides.
Families – Kid-friendly, and they go great with mashed potatoes, veggies, or even a simple rice side.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Steak Bites:
1.5 lbs top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
2 tbsp butter, melted
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
My Recommended Kitchen Tools for this Recipe:
Watch How To Make The Recipe
How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites
1. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat while you prepare the steak.
2. Cut the steak into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch pieces. For best results, let the steak sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking steak. This helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
3. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika
4. Toss the steak bites with olive oil, then coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
5. Place the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. While the steak is cooking, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in parsley and remove from heat.
7. Drizzle the warm garlic butter over the steak bites and enjoy!
Can I Make These Steak Bites on the Stove Instead?
Yes! Here’s how:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil.
Add the steak bites in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until your desired doneness is reached.
Remove from heat and toss with the garlic butter sauce before serving.
Can I Use a Cheaper Cut of Meat?
Yes! If using a tougher cut like flank steak or chuck roast, marinate it in olive oil, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce for 30 minutes to tenderize. This is a great way to make a good steak without breaking the bank.
How to Choose the Best Cut of Steak
Here are some great options for this air fryer steak bites recipe:
Top Sirloin – Great flavor without breaking the bank.
Ribeye Steak – Extra juicy and flavorful.
New York Strip Steak – Firmer texture but still tender.
Filet Mignon – Super tender, but pricier.
Jazz’s Tips for the Best Steak Bites
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Get that air fryer nice and hot! Set it to 400°F while you prep your steak to ensure a perfect sear and juicy steak bites.
2. Cut Even Steak Pieces
For the most even cooking, cut your top sirloin into 1-inch cubes. This way, you won’t have some pieces overcooked while others are underdone; no one wants that!
3. Use a Meat Thermometer
Wanna make sure your steak bites are perfectly juicy? Check the internal temperature:
Rare: 120-125°F
Medium-Rare: 125-135°F
Medium: 135-140°F
Medium-Well: 145-150°F
Well-Done: 150°F+
4. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
You want those crispy edges, so make sure your steak bites are spread out in a single layer. If you’re making a bigger batch, just cook them in batches; trust me, it’s worth it!
5. Let the Steak Rest
Once those steak bites are done, let them chill for 2-3 minutes before diving in. It helps keep all those juicy flavors locked in.
6. Adjust for Your Air Fryer
Every air fryer is a little different, so here’s what to keep in mind:
Size of steak pieces: Smaller cubes cook up quicker.
How full the basket is: If it’s too crowded, they’ll need extra time.
Your air fryer brand: Some cook faster than others, so you might need to tweak the time a bit.
7. Seasoning, Marinade, and Oil Tips
Toss your bites in a quick marinade if desired; soy sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic work great. Use a high smoke point oil like avocado oil for a perfect sear. After cooking, drizzle with melted garlic butter for extra flavor.
Add Extra Flavor
Boost taste with lemon juice, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, or Italian seasoning.
How to Cook a Full Air Fryer Steak (Ribeye, Sirloin, or Filet Mignon)
Want to try a whole steak instead of bites? You can use the same seasoning and oil tips above. Whole steaks just need a little more attention to cook perfectly.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F to get a nice crust and even cooking.Prepare the Steak
Pat dry, lightly coat with a high smoke point oil like avocado, and season as desired. You can use a quick marinade if you like.Cooking Times by Cut (1-inch thick)
Ribeye: 8-10 minutes for medium-rare to medium
Top Sirloin: 7-9 minutes for medium-rare to medium
Filet Mignon: 8-10 minutes for medium-rare to medium
Flip halfway through cooking and use a thermometer to check internal temperature:
Rare: 120–125°F
Medium-Rare: 125–135°F
Medium: 135–145°F
Medium-Well: 145–150°F
Well-Done: 150°F+
4. Rest and Serve
Let the steak rest 3-5 minutes to lock in juices before slicing. Thicker cuts may need an extra minute per side, so always rely on your thermometer.
5. Optional Finishing Touch
Drizzle with melted garlic butter for extra richness, or sprinkle with red pepper flakes or fresh herbs for flavor.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak Bites
Looking for a complete steak dinner? Here are some great side dishes:
FAQs
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You can cook steak bites from frozen, but thawed steak gives you the best texture and browning. If you start with frozen pieces, add about 3 to 5 extra minutes and shake the basket a few times so the steak cooks evenly. Just keep in mind that frozen steak will not sear quite as well as fresh or thawed.
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Tough steak usually means it cooked too long. Steak bites cook quickly in the air fryer, so checking the internal temperature is the easiest way to prevent overcooking. Make sure the pieces are similar in size so everything cooks at the same pace.
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You do not need to marinate the steak for this recipe, but you can if you want extra flavor or if you are using a slightly tougher cut. A simple mix of soy sauce, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce works well and only needs about 20 to 30 minutes.
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For steak bites, the best temperature is 400°F. It helps the outside get nicely browned while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
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Yes, you should preheat the air fryer. A hot basket helps the steak bites sear properly and cook evenly. Set it to 400°F before you start prepping your steak.
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Medium-rare steak bites usually take about 5 to 7 minutes at 400°F. Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so checking the internal temperature is the most reliable way to get them exactly how you like them. Medium-rare is done at around 125 to 135°F.
If you prefer other doneness levels, here are the correct internal temperatures:
Rare is 120 to 125°F.
Medium is 135 to 145°F.
Medium-well is 145 to 150°F.
Well-done is anything above 150°F. -
Yes, you can cook frozen steak bites, although thawed steak gives better texture. If starting from frozen, add about 3 to 5 extra minutes of cook time and shake the basket often so the pieces cook evenly.
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Steak bites usually take 5 to 10 minutes at 400°F. The exact time depends on the size of the steak pieces, how full your air fryer basket is, and how well done you like your steak.
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Reheating in the air fryer works really well. Set the air fryer to 350°F and heat the steak bites for 2 to 4 minutes until they are warmed through. Try not to overheat them so they stay juicy. Adding a little leftover garlic butter on top helps keep them moist and flavorful.
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Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This is the best way to preserve flavor and texture when you want to enjoy them later.
These air fryer garlic steak bites are the perfect way to enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re making this for a quick dinner, a delicious appetizer, or meal prep, this recipe is a game changer. Try it today and let me know what you think
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! Happy cooking! 😊
Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (16 oz) top sirloin steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat while you prepare the steak.
- Cut the steak into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Toss the steak bites with olive oil, then coat them evenly with the spice mixture.
- Place the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes.
- While the steak is cooking, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in parsley and remove from heat.
- Drizzle the warm garlic butter over the steak bites and enjoy!
