These Air Fryer Steak Bites are juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside! Ready in 20 minutes and dressed in herb garlic butter, this is an addictive and naturally low-carb, high-protein snack or main the whole family will love.
When you’re craving a juicy steak but not the work that comes with cooking it, steak bites are the answer! These bite-sized steak pieces are tender, flavorful, and best of all, easy to make.
You’ll love these Air Fryer Steak Bites when you want the same great-tasting results but not the excess oil that comes with the pan-fried version. The bites only require 10 minutes of hands-on prep before the air fryer works its magic to give them an irresistible char on the outside and perfectly cooked, juicy meat in the middle.
And just when you think this bite-size steak recipe can’t get any better, the pieces are drenched in a luxurious herb garlic butter! Drizzle the savory, irresistible sauce over the bites and dig into this flavor-packed lunch, dinner, or snack.
Recipe features
- It’s a quick and easy way to prepare restaurant-quality steak tips. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack, or main with your favorite steakhouse sides.
- The air fryer gives you perfectly cooked and succulent steak bites every time! Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.
- A naturally low-carb, high-protein, and gluten free recipe. It’s easy to make Whole30, too!
Ingredients
Top sirloin steak - This is the best cut of steak for steak bites because it’s budget-friendly, tender, flavorful, and cooks quickly. You can also use other lean and tender cuts, like filet mignon and ribeye.
Coconut aminos - Coating the steak in coconut aminos is a great way to add flavor and tenderize the meat. It also makes this recipe naturally gluten free, soy free, and Whole30 compliant. If you don’t have coconut aminos, you can use soy sauce, tamari, or Worcestershire sauce instead.
Steak seasoning - Any brand of store-bought steak seasoning will work well or you can make your own using a mix of coarse salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and minced onion.
Garlic butter - The garlic butter for these steak bites is made with melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Feel free to substitute freshly minced garlic cloves and fresh chopped parsley (about one teaspoon each) if you have it. And if you want to keep this recipe paleo or Whole30, use grass-fed butter or ghee.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Cut the steak. Use a sharp knife to cut the top sirloin into 1-inch or bite-sized cubes.
Step 2: Season the steak bites. Place the cut cubes of steak in a large bowl and season with olive oil, coconut aminos, steak seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to coat.
Step 3: Air fry. Lay the seasoned bites in the preheated and lightly greased air fryer basket. Make sure they’re in a single layer and that each piece has space in between for even cooking. Cook until they reach your desired doneness.
Step 4: Make the garlic butter. Meanwhile, whisk the melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and red pepper flakes together in a large bowl.
Step 5: Dress, then serve. Transfer the cooked steak bites to the bowl with the garlic butter, toss to coat, then serve. Enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- To make slicing the steak even easier, place it in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Always pre-heat the air fryer! This helps sear the steak pieces without overcooking the centers.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will cause the steak pieces to steam, resulting in less crispy, mushy meat. You may need to cook the steak bites in two batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.
- You’ll know the steak bites are done cooking when a meat thermometer measures their internal temperature at 145°F.
- Let the steak bites rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the tasty juices to absorb back into the meat for maximum flavor and tenderness.
How long does it take to cook steak bites in the air fryer?
The cooking time will depend on the size of the bites. 1-inch steak cubes should only take between 6 and 10 minutes to cook in a preheated 400ºF air fryer. Mine were cooked perfectly at the 7-minute mark, but larger chunks may need longer.
What else can you use to season steak bites?
There are plenty of seasoning blends that pair well with steak, like blackening season, Italian or Greek herbs and spices, garlic and herb, fajita or taco seasoning, and dry ranch seasonings.
What do you serve with steak bites?
You can serve the bites with an endless amount of sides and dipping sauces because they’re great as an appetizer, lunch, or main.
My favorite way to enjoy them is as a snack with roasted garlic aioli, extra garlic butter, horseradish sauce, garlic aioli, or chipotle aioli for dipping. You can even take the presentation and flavors up a notch by garnishing the bites with crumbled blue cheese, fresh parsley, or chimichurri sauce.
To make them part of a well-rounded meal, pair the steak bites with any of these delicious side dish ideas:
- Vegetables: Like sauteed asparagus, roasted broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, carrots, brussels sprouts, or braised greens.
- Potatoes: Like mashed, baked, roasted, or air fryer potatoes. Anything goes when it comes to steak and potatoes!
- Salad: Keep it light and refreshing with a baby kale salad or winter kale salad.
How do you make Whole30 steak bites?
Coat the steak in a compliant cooking oil (like olive oil or avocado oil), coconut aminos, and a compliant steak seasoning blend. As for the garlic butter, use melted ghee or grass-fed butter instead of regular butter, then you’re good to go!
Storage
Refrigerator: Let leftover air fryer steak bites cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Store the bites in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, then freeze for up to 2 or 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F, then reheat the defrosted steak bites for about 3 to 6 minutes or until heated through.
More air fryer meat recipes
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Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb. top sirloin steak cut into 1" cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (can sub soy sauce or worcestershire)
- 2 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the butter:
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400° (this should take about 3 minutes).
- Meanwhile, add the cut steak to a large bowl, along with the olive oil, coconut aminos, steak seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and stir to combine.
- Spray your air fryer basket with a little nonstick spray, then place the steak bites into your air fryer, making sure they don’t overlap (you’ll most likely have to cook in 2 batches).
- Air fryer the steak bites for 6-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (see notes).
- While the steak is cooking, make the garlic butter: melt the butter in a large bowl, then stir in the garlic powder, parsley and red pepper flakes.
- Once the steak is done, pour it into the bowl with the butter and stir to coat. Enjoy!
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