Air Fryer Steak Bites

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5 from 1 votes
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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.

air fryer steak bites.

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
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to cook steak bites in the air fryer
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More weeknight beef recipes
  8. Air Fryer Steak Bites (Recipe Card)

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. 
air fryer garlic steak bites.

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.

raw steak bites with seasonings in a bowl.

Step 1- Prep. Preheat the air fryer. Combine the steak cubes and seasonings in a large bowl. 

raw steak bites in the air fryer.

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. 

melted butter, garlic, and herbs in a skillet.

Step 3- Make the compound butter. Melt butter and whisk in the garlic and herbs. 

melted garlic butter tossed through steak bites.

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:

air fried steak bites.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my air fryer steak bites chewy?

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. 

Can I skip the garlic butter?

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

air fryer steak bites recipe.

Air Fryer Steak Bites

5 from 1 vote
My easy air fryer steak bites are tender on the outside, juicy in the middle, and doused in garlic butter! My family adores this, and I love that it cooks in under 10 minutes!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 9 minutes

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

* I use ribeye, but sirloin steak or New York steak works well too. 
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. 
TO REHEAT: Heat leftovers in the air fryer at 350F until warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 25gFat: 11gSodium: 687mgPotassium: 404mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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5 from 1 vote

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