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My air fryer steak bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and absolutely covered in aromatic garlic butter. Works with different cuts of steak and cooks in under 10 minutes!
Obsessed with air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer fried chicken, air fryer filet mignon, or air fryer meatloaf next.
Ever since I introduced my family to garlic butter steak bites, they’ve become totally addicted. I was addicted, too, until I realized I could save even more time by making them in the air fryer. The results are juicy steak bites with a near-burnt exterior, a tender center, and layers of savory garlic flavor. Okay, I can hear my stomach growling now!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Works with different cuts of steak. I used ribeye steak, but other cuts work just as well. I’ll give you some options below.
- Less effort than a full-on steak. We love steak dinners at my house, but when I’m feeling lazy, steak bites prove to be an easy weeknight option.
- No mess. The air fryer catches the excess juices, so the clean-up is done in minutes.
- Simple ingredients. The flavor in this recipe comes from the garlic butter, and the hands-off cooking method helps preserve the meat’s natural flavor.
Ingredients needed
- Steak. About 1 pound cut into 1-inch cubes. I used ribeye steak, but New York strip steak or top sirloin steak would also work well.
- Salt and black pepper. To season.
For the garlic butter sauce:
- Butter. I suggest using unsalted butter so you have more control over how much salt gets added.
- Garlic. Don’t cut corners with garlic powder here! You want freshly minced garlic for maximum flavor.
- Fresh parsley. For color and freshness. Feel free to use any fresh herbs.
How to cook steak bites in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the air fryer. Combine the steak cubes and seasonings in a large bowl.
Step 2- Air fry. Place the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry until crispy, stopping periodically to shake the basket.
Step 3- Make the compound butter. Melt butter and whisk in the garlic and herbs.
Step 4- Add butter and serve. Toss the steak bites in garlic butter and serve.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Preheat the air fryer basket. This is my #1 tip for air frying anything, especially steak. This helps the steak bites cook quickly and evenly, just like cooking them in the oven.
- Air fry in batches. It’s important not to crowd the air fryer basket, or else the steak bites won’t get equal heat access and develop a crispy crust.
- Use a meat thermometer. Keep an eye on the internal temperature and remove the steak bites when they reach 135F (medium-rare), 140F (medium), 145F (medium-well), or 150F (well-done).
Variations
- Toss the steak bites in olive oil. This will help them get even crispier in the air fryer.
- Season the steak bites. Toss them in Montreal steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning to infuse more flavor.
- Top the steak bites with blue cheese crumbles or chimichurri sauce for a little extra finishing touch.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover steak bites should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To freeze: Let the leftovers cool completely, then freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Heat leftovers in the air fryer at 350F until warm.
What to serve with this
Steak bites work well with robust, flavorful sides, like:
Frequently asked questions
Your steak bites may be chewy if they’re overcooked. Check them periodically with a meat thermometer and remove them from the air fryer when they reach 135-140F (for medium). Also, you want to select a cut of steak with enough marbling (fat) to keep the steak bites tender, like ribeye or NY strip.
Yes, you can skip the garlic butter sauce. My steak bites taste great on their own or doused in your favorite BBQ sauce.
More weeknight beef recipes
- Carne asada
- Instant Pot chuck roast
- Beef bulgogi
- Hanger steak
- Or any of these beef recipes
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound steak cut into bite-sized pieces * See notes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Garlic butter
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a large bowl, add the cubed steak, salt, and pepper and mix well.
- Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 6-7 minutes, shaking the basket twice during the cooking process.
- While the steak bites are cooking, melt the butter and whisk in the minced garlic and parsley.
- Once the steak bites are cooked (use a meat thermometer to check it reaches 165F), toss them through the garlic butter.
