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My air fryer steak bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in the most delicious garlic butter. It works with different cuts of steak and cooks in under 10 minutes. Serve them as an appetizer or over rice for a dinner bowl.
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Why you need to make my air fryer steak bites
I typically make garlic butter steak bites for my family, but I’ve recently been testing a shortcut using the air fryer. The results are almost identical – the steak bites have a crispy exterior while being extremely juicy in the middle.
I was taught in culinary school not to cook steaks at a high heat with garlic butter (it burns instead of adding flavor), so I mix it through once cooked. You can leave it out, but I love how the steak soaks it all up.
They are quick and easy to make, work with different cuts of steak, and have zero mess (thank you, air fryer liners!). They are meal-prep friendly, and I love to batch-cook the steak bites on the weekend and use them as a protein topping for weekday lunches or in my steak bowl.
If you’d prefer a whole steak cooked in the air fryer, try my air fryer steak, air fryer ribeye, or air fryer filet mignon.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I make these at least once a week, and it’s so much faster than cooking a whole steak. The kids love them being bite-sized, and the garlic butter takes it over the top.” – Chrissy
Key Ingredients
- 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.
- Garlic butter sauce. Just a simple mixture of unsalted butter, fresh garlic cloves, and fresh parsley.
How to make air fryer steak bites
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Combine the steak cubes and seasonings in a large bowl.
Step 2- 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- Melt butter and whisk in the garlic and herbs.
Step 4- 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 essential not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the steak bites from receiving equal heat and developing a crispy crust.
- Use a meat thermometer. Keep an eye on the internal temperature and remove the steak bites when they reach 135°F (medium-rare), 140°F (medium), 145°F (medium-well), or 150°F (well-done).
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Video
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.
Notes
- Seasoning ideas. Toss them in Montreal steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning to infuse more flavor.
- Topping ideas. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles or chimichurri sauce for a little extra finishing touch.
- Storage. Leftover steak bites should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Serving suggestions
Steak bites work well with robust, flavorful sides, like sautéed potatoes or sauteed brussels sprouts. If I’m using my dual air fryer basket, I like to whip up some air fryer baked potato at the same time, or air fryer baked sweet potato. Of course, nothing beats some mixed greens or steamed rice.
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 135-140°F (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.
These bites are so easy and tasty! I added some fresh rosemary to the garlic butter and they were perfect!
When you wrote steak, which meat can suit the best here?
Arman, I don’t have an air fryer. Would you recommend trying these in either the oven or pan-sauteing them?
Hi Stephanie! Make my classic garlic butter steak bites 🙂
Stephanie … I had the same question. I don’t own an air fryer nor know how they work. Did you get a repy as to whether regular frying works well? T/Y
Never mind. I didn’t realize CLASSIC GARLIC BUTTER STEAK BITES was a different recipe. I should have search before I wrote. Now I have the correct recipe. T/Y (2/19/2025)
Just made these steak bites in the air fryer and they are sensational!!! I love how juicy and tender they turn out to be!
This look great. I like more bites of meat than big steaks.
Just made these for a quick dinner and they were SO tasty!!!
Thanks, Miranda!
Thank you Arman for sharing this recipe- the steak bites turned out so juicy and crisp!!