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Air Fryer Steak Bites

Air Fryer Steak Bites deliver a golden-brown sear on the outside and a perfectly pink center inside in under 15 minutes. Tossed with garlic butter and fresh herbs, these juicy steak cubes cook fast without overcrowding.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Steak Bites
  • 1.5 lb sirloin steak (or ribeye), cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
Garlic Butter
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 0.125 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer
  • 1 small saucepan

Method
 

Prep and Season
  1. Pat the steak cubes completely dry with paper towels to help form a better sear.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the steak cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme until every piece is evenly coated.
Air Fry the Steak Bites
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  2. Arrange the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed) so they brown instead of steam.
  3. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden-brown outside and cooked to your preferred doneness (8 min = medium-rare, 10 min = medium-well).
Garlic Butter and Serve
  1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes, then remove from heat while the steak finishes.
  3. Transfer the steak bites to a bowl immediately and pour the warm garlic butter over them.
  4. Toss well to coat every piece, then taste and adjust salt if needed.
  5. Serve hot with an extra scatter of fresh parsley as a fresh garnish.

Notes

For the best crust, ensure the steak cubes are truly dry before seasoning so the surface can brown quickly in the air fryer. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp. Freezing is not recommended because the texture can soften after thawing. For a lighter option, use half the butter and replace part of it with olive oil to keep the garlic-herb flavor while reducing richness.