These tender Air Fryer Steak Bites are so easy to make and are packed with tons of flavor. They are perfect for fast dinners and cook in under 10 minutes!
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You’re in for a real treat with these fast and delicious steak bites in the air fryer! They’re perfectly browned on the outside, and juicy on the inside, and ready in just a few minutes.
What Cut of Beef Do You Use For Steak Bites?
When making steak bites in the air fryer, I look for three specific cuts of steak – top sirloin, tri-tip, or NY strip. Top sirloin is my favorite and I add it to my ButcherBox order specifically to make this recipe.
You’ll want to look for something with some fat and a bit of marbling. I prefer to trim off most of the fat before cooking my steak bites, but you do you!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER Steak Bites
They’re great on top of Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Butter Rice, or alongside some Crispy Baked Potatoes.
A side dish of veggies like Air Fryer Zucchini, Air Fryer Cauliflower, Chopped Cabbage Salad, Cucumber and Onion Salad, or Green Pea Salad are all great.
And for carbs (yes please!), Cheesy Garlic Bread, Air Fryer Texas Toast, Stuffing Biscuits, or Pretzel Buns are delicious options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The air fryer is wonderful for cooking steak.
Unlike grilling, you’re not dependent on the weather to use your air fryer. And the clean-up is much easier than searing and cooking steaks in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop.
Yes! Just like grilling or using the stovetop, the air fryer can produce very tender steaks. Each person likes their steak at a different level of “doneness”.
Eat cut of beef and each air fryer will cook steak slightly differently. I recommend using a quick-read thermometer and this guide to produce steak bites that are perfect for you.
Rare – 4-5 minutes (125-130F)
Medium rare – 5 minutes (130-140F)
Medium – 6 minutes (140-150F)
Medium well – 7-8 minutes (150-160F)
Well done – 9-10 minutes (160F+)
If you want to reheat steak, it’s best to slightly undercook it initially. This keeps it from getting rubbery when reheated.
I found that 350F for 2-3 minutes in the air fryer was perfect for reheating these steak bites.
Meal Prep Tips
You can slice, season, and store the steak in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you have time to marinate for at least 30 minutes, I love adding 1.5 tsp of low-sodium soy sauce. It really helps intensify the flavor.
If your steak is fresh, you can cut, season, and freeze the uncooked steak bites in freezer-safe containers for up to 4 months.
Steak Bites Variations
- Instead of garlic butter, combine 3 tbsp unsalted butter with 1 tsp of white miso paste to make miso butter.
- You can use 2 tbsp of melted unsalted butter instead of olive oil.
- Add thinly sliced onions and mushrooms to the air fryer basket with the steak.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- If you are thawing a frozen steak, cutting it into pieces while it is still a bit icy makes it easier to slice.
- For best results, cut the steak against the grain.
- Do not skip the step of preheating the air fryer.
- To see if the inside of the steak bites is cooked to my preference, I cut the largest one in half after the initial cooking time.
- Check internal temp with a quick-read thermometer to guarantee the steak bites are at your preferred level of “doneness”.
- For the juiciest, most tender steak bites, allow the meat to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking and before serving.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak, cut into 1-2 inch pieces {top sirloin, tri-tip, or NY strip}
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil {plus a bit more for brushing on the air fryer basket}
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter {optional}
- 1 clove garlic, minced {optional}
Instructions
- Cut the steak into 1-2 inch pieces against the grain.1 lb steak, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss steak with dried ingredients.1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp dried tarragon, 1 tsp dried parsley
- Add olive oil and Worcestershire sauce and toss to coat.2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 390F.
- Brush the air fryer basket with a bit of olive oil.
- Add the steak bites to the basket and separate any pieces that have stuck together.
- Cook at 390F:Rare – 4-5 minutes (125-130F)Medium rare – 5 minutes (130-140F)Medium – 6 minutes (140-150F)Medium well – 7-8 minutes (150-160F)Well done – 9-10 minutes (160F+)
- Melt butter and mix with minced garlic.3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 clove garlic, minced
- Drizzle garlic butter over the finished steak bites.
Notes
- If raw garlic has too much “bite” for you, lightly saute the minced garlic and butter in a small saucepan for 2-3 minutes over low heat.
- Do not skip the step of preheating the air fryer.
- To see if the inside of the steak bites is cooked to my preference, I cut the largest one in half after the initial cooking time.
- Check internal temp with a quick-read thermometer to guarantee the steak bites are at your preferred level of “doneness”.
- For the juiciest, most tender steak bites, allow the meat to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking.
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Oh my word, these were fabulous! I could’ve eaten the entire batch myself. I prepped them in the morning and cooked them up for dinner. This recipe will definitely be in my dinner rotation, such a simply recipe with amazingly delicious results (insert tongue licking lips).
Awww Sheila, this made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This was so easy and fast and amazingly tasty! I will make it again and again. Prepping the meat ahead of time made the meal come together quickly – something I always appreciate.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Brenda! The meal prep aspect of it makes it extra good for our family.
Sarah, isn’t step 3 and 4 redundant??
Hi Kevin, I’m a bit confused by your question. I’ll copy and paste steps 3 and 4 from the recipe card below. They’re both quite different. Can you please clarify your question?
step 3: Add olive oil and Worcestershire sauce and toss to coat.
step 4: Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 390F.