Easy Air Fryer Steak Bites
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These easy steak bites take everything you love about the perfect steak but made way easier, faster, and less messy with an air fryer. With tender, golden-crisp edges and juicy centers, the brown sugar adds a subtle caramelized finish and the garlic butter ties it all together. They’re fancy without the fuss, plus the cook time is only 5 minutes!
I used to think that steak was only for special occasions, reserved for anniversaries, restaurant splurges, or those rare weekends when I had the time to heat up the grill and babysit a sizzling rib‑eye. Then I discovered air‑fryer steak bites, and everything changed.
Suddenly, we can enjoy that “special‑occasion” flavor any night of the week, in bite‑sized pieces that cook faster than I could set the table. I serve these steak bites in rotation with NY strip steak, which is just as easy to prep!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick dinner option
- Easy ingredients: You only need beef and some pantry staples.
- Juicy and tender
- Diet-friendly: With no breading or sugar-heavy marinades, this high-protein dish fits seamlessly into low-carb, keto, and other wellness lifestyles.
- Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and refrigerate or freeze, then reheat as needed for effortless meals all week long.
- Versatile: Perfect for busy weeknights, high-protein lunches, meal prep, or even as a party appetizer served with toothpicks and a dipping sauce.
How to Make Steak Bites
Garlic butter steak bites take just 35 minutes to make from start to finish. Simply marinate the beef quickly, toss the pieces in the air fryer, and cook until golden and juicy. Drizzle with delicious garlic butter and the dish is ready to enjoy! Give the meat a couple of minutes to rest before serving so that you can enjoy the flavors at their best.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
For the steak bites:
- Sirloin steak: A lean, flavorful cut that cooks quickly and stays juicy when cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Brown sugar, keto brown sugar replacement, or honey/maple syrup
- Seasonings: I use a simple mix of salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for this recipe.
For the garlic butter:
- Garlic cloves: Fresh is best for that authentic garlic flavor.
- Butter: I use salted butter.
- Parsley: Use fresh parsley for the iconic pretty flecks of green.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to bring your air fryer steak bites to life? These step-by-step instructions will guide you through the quick, simple process to get that perfect sear, mouthwatering garlic butter finish, and restaurant-quality flavor, all in the comfort of your own kitchen. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Marinate the meat
In a bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
Toss the steak bites in the seasonings until well-coated. Let them sit and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 2: Air fry
Preheat air fryer to 400 F.
Place the steak in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed). Cook at 400 F for 4 to 6 minutes, depending on preferred level of doneness.
Step 3: Make the garlic butter
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and parsley.
Transfer cooked steak bites to a plate and pour garlic butter over the top.
Step 4: Rest and serve
Let rest for a couple minutes, then serve warm.
Substitutions
Make garlic butter steak bites according to your diet or preferences. Here are alternative ingredients you can use:
- Sirloin steak: Substitute with ribeye (for more marbling), New York strip, or filet mignon.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use high-smoke-point oils like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil.
- Seasonings: Use your favorite spices or a pre-made steak or BBQ seasoning.
- Butter: For convenience, omit the garlic and parsley and use a pre-made compound butter. Roasted garlic butter and rosemary garlic butter are delicious!
- Parsley: Swap out with chives, basil, or cilantro.
Expert Tips
- Prep the steak right: Cut steak into uniform pieces for even cooking, then pat them dry before seasoning for a better sear and caramelization.
- Toss halfway through: Shake the basket or flip the bites halfway through cooking to promote even browning on all sides. This also helps prevent sticking.
- Don’t crowd the basket: Cook in batches if needed.
- Go bold with finishes: Drizzle with garlic butter at the end, then finish with flaky salt, a squeeze of lemon, or chili crisp oil to level up the flavor experience.
- Switch up the topping: Serve your steak bites with a drizzle of chimichurri, blue cheese crumbles, caramelized onions, or a splash of balsamic glaze. For a crunchy element, top with crispy shallots, toasted garlic chips, or even crushed pork rinds.
- Make them party-ready: Turn your steak bites into party-ready appetizers by threading them onto mini skewers with roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, or cubes of grilled zucchini.
- Test other protein: Salmon bites are another delicious take on mini protein bites.
How to Store This Recipe
Let the steak bites cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 375 F for about 2 to 3 minutes or toss in a hot skillet with a touch of butter or oil until warmed through.
What to Serve with Steak Bites
Air fryer steak bites make a great stand-alone meal, but are even more delicious when served with sides. Enjoy them with roasted potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or a creamy mac and cheese.
You can also build a high-protein bowl by serving the steak bites over cauliflower rice, quinoa, or leafy greens. Add avocado slices, a fried egg, honey-roasted carrots, or pickled onions for color and flavor balance. If you’re going for something lighter or low-carb, try pairing them with sautéed green beans or a fresh avocado tomato salad.
More Easy Beef Dinner Recipes To Try
- Slow cooker beef barbacoa
- Italian ground beef skillet
- Stir fry ground beef cabbage
- Crockpot Italian beef
- Quesabirria Tacos
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Ingredients
For the steak bites:
- 1 pound sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar or keto alternative
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For the garlic butter:
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Toss the steak bites in the seasonings until well-coated.
- Let them sit and marinate for 15–20 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F. Place the steak in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed). Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, depending on preferred level of doneness.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and parsley. Transfer cooked steak bites to a plate and pour garlic butter over the top.
- Let rest for a couple minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
- Cut steak into uniform pieces for even cooking, then pat them dry before seasoning for a better sear and caramelization.
- Shake the air fryer basket or flip the bites halfway through cooking.
- Turn your steak bites into party-ready appetizers by threading them onto mini skewers with roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, or cubes of grilled zucchini.
Nutrition & Macros
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