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! This low-carb, high-protein dish is perfect for busy weeknights, high-protein lunches, meal prep, or even as a party appetizer served with toothpicks and a dipping sauce. With their mouth-watering flavor and melt-in-your mouth tenderness, it will be hard to believe that these steak bites were cooked with pantry staples in an air fryer!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick dinner option: All it takes is a quick toss in seasoning, a few minutes in the air fryer, and dinner is done.
- Easy ingredients: You only need beef and some pantry staples.
- Juicy and tender: The air fryer locks in moisture, making every bite tender and flavorful.
- Diet-friendly: With no breading or sugar-heavy marinades, this recipe fits seamlessly into low-carb, keto, and paleo lifestyles.
- Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and refrigerate or freeze, then reheat as needed for effortless meals all week long.
- Versatile: Easily adapts to whatever you’re craving or cooking for.
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
- 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.
- Brown sugar: Replace with honey, maple syrup, or white sugar. For a keto alternative, use 0-calorie sweeteners like coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener, or an erythritol-brown sugar blend.
- Seasonings: Use your favorite spices or a pre-made steak or BBQ seasoning. Choose low-sodium spice blends or salt-free herb mixes if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Garlic cloves:
- 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. Overcrowding will steam the meat instead of crisping it, and you’ll miss that golden exterior.
- 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.
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 made 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, 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, honey-roasted carrots, or a fresh avocado tomato salad.
More Easy Beef Dinner Recipes To Try
- Keto beef stroganoff
- Slow cooker beef barbacoa
- Italian ground beef skillet
- Beef heart meatballs
- Stir fry ground beef cabbage
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Ingredients
For the steak bites:
- 16 oz 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 at 400 F 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 to promote even browning on all sides.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer, cook in batches if needed for crisp edges.
- 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.
- Serve your steak bites with chimichurri, blue cheese crumbles, caramelized onions, or a splash of balsamic glaze.
- 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
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
