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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! 

a spoonful of garlic butter being drizzled over air fryer steak bites topped with chopped parsley.
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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!

a bowl of steak tips, butter, olive oil, and seasonings on a white marbled board.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER Steak Bites

They’re great on top of Cream Cheese Mashed PotatoesGarlic Butter Rice, or alongside some Crispy Baked Potatoes.

A side dish of veggies like Air Fryer Zucchini, Air Fryer CauliflowerChopped Cabbage SaladCucumber and Onion Salad, or Green Pea Salad are all great.

And for carbs (yes please!), Cheesy Garlic BreadAir Fryer Texas Toast, Stuffing Biscuits, or Pretzel Buns are delicious options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Cook Raw Steak in an Air Fryer?

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.

Does Steak Come Out Tender in an Air Fryer?

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+)

How to Reheat Air Fryer Steak Bites

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.

4 photos showing the process of making grilled sirloin tips in the air fryer.

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.
a black plate with small pieces of grilled sirloin topped with chopped parsley.
5 from 4 ratings

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total: 18 minutes
a spoonful of garlic butter being drizzled over air fryer steak bites topped with chopped parsley.
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! 

Ingredients 

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

  1. 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.
  2. Do not skip the step of preheating the air fryer.
  3. 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.
  4. Check internal temp with a quick-read thermometer to guarantee the steak bites are at your preferred level of “doneness”.
  5. For the juiciest, most tender steak bites, allow the meat to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 5ozCalories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 31gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 496mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 584IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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8 Comments

  1. These were divinely perfect!!!!  Awesome for a quick, weekday meal. The steak cooked perfectly using the times suggested and was tender and flavorful.  I love that preparing steak this way can lend itself to a variety of different meal combinations (like tacos, nachos or on its own). Also love that my insanely picky family enjoyed the heck out of them.  Adding to our rotation.  Thanks!! 5 stars

    1. I love any recipe that can win over a picky family and make life easier. So, I’m thrilled you liked this one so much!

      Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

  2. 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).5 stars

  3. 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.  5 stars

    1. 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.