Air Fryer Steak Bites

Name: Air Fryer Steak Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Published by Fork Around & Find Out Kitchen — presented in the Lila editorial voice. Editorial standards

Quick Answer

Air Fryer Steak Bites season cubed steak and air fry until seared outside and tender inside, tossed in garlic butter to finish.

Jump to Recipe

Steak bites are what happens when steak stops requiring a knife and starts becoming dangerously easy to steal from the serving bowl. For these air fryer steak bites, sirloin gets cut into even 1-inch cubes, dried thoroughly, then tossed with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Drying the meat and leaving space between the pieces are the two details that keep the surface browning instead of steaming. The air fryer cannot create a proper crust on meat packed together like everyone is waiting for an elevator.

At 400°F, the cubes need about 8 to 10 minutes with a shake halfway through, depending on how done you like the center. While they cook, melted butter and fresh garlic wait in a bowl for the finish. Toss the hot steak in that garlic butter, add parsley, and let it rest briefly so the juices stay where they belong. The result is browned edges, tender centers, smoky seasoning, and glossy garlic butter on every piece. Put them over rice or next to vegetables if you are feeling organized; put toothpicks beside the bowl if you have accepted what is actually about to happen.

Prep15 minutes

Cook12 minutes

Total27 minutes

Serves4 servings

DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

Servings

1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
2Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
3Arrange steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces so they sear instead of steam.
4Air fry at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the edges are browned and the inside reaches your preferred doneness (medium-rare is about 130°F).
5While the steak cooks, melt butter in a small bowl and stir in the minced garlic. Toss the finished steak bites in the garlic butter and top with fresh parsley.

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving: 1 of 4 servings.

540Calories

45 gProtein

1 gCarbohydrates

42 gTotal Fat

16 gSaturated Fat

0 gFiber

0 gTotal Sugars

900 mgSodium

150 mgCholesterol

Estimated from the ingredients and quantities in this recipe using standard food-composition values. Brand choices, trimming, cooking loss, optional ingredients, and actual portion size can change the numbers. How we calculate nutrition estimates.

Pro Tips

Don't skip patting the steak dry. Moisture on the surface is the enemy of a good sear, even in an air fryer.
Work in batches if your basket is small. Overcrowding means steaming, and steamed steak is a sad steak.
Let the steak rest for 2 minutes after cooking. It finishes carrying over about 5 degrees and the juices redistribute so they stay in the meat instead of on your plate.

Substitutions

sirloin → flank steak, flat iron, or ribeye cut into cubes Fattier cuts like ribeye are more forgiving but watch for extra smoke in the basket.

soy sauce → coconut aminos or tamari Coconut aminos is sweeter, so skip any added sugar if you swap.

butter → olive oil or ghee Ghee gives a similar richness without the milk solids for dairy-free diets.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes to crisp them back up. Microwaving works in a pinch but the edges won't be as good.

Make Ahead

Cut and season the steak cubes up to 12 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Cook right before serving for the best sear and texture.

Freezing

Yes. Cool the cooked Air Fryer Steak Bites completely and freeze it in airtight portions with any pan juices or sauce that belong with the dish. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating so the meat is easier to warm without drying out.

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