How long it takes: 35 minutes (includes 15 minutes to marinate) Equipment you’ll need: air fryer Servings: 2 as a main dish, 4 as an appetizer I think steak bites might just be the ideal way to cook steak in the air fryer. Because the steak is cut into small bites, there’s more surface area for the air to circulate, which means the steak is cooked to perfection, and quickly! We enjoy these air fryer steak bites often as a main dish for dinner but I plan on keeping this recipe on my short list for game day get-togethers when football season starts. Steak bites and potato skins sounds like a perfect combination to me!
Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites
Easy to make. You only need 10 minutes of hands-on effort to put together this air fryer steak bites recipe, and that’s just a matter of cutting the steak and mixing the marinade. Simple! Super flavorful. The steak is marinated in a mixture of Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, and herbs and spices, so it doesn’t skimp on seasoning. Add the optional garlic butter when you serve them and we’re talking BIG flavor. Everyone loves them. Okay, maybe not everyone (be sure to try my air fryer salmon bites or air fryer Buffalo cauliflower bites if beef isn’t your thing). Air fryer steak bites are impossible to resist and their bite-size form makes them easy to eat!
Ingredient Notes
For the steak bites
Steak: Sirloin or ribeye steak both work well for making these air fryer steak bites. Olive Oil: An everyday olive oil for cooking is fine; you don’t need anything fancy. Worcestershire Sauce: I always keep a bottle of Worcestershire sauce in my fridge. It’s a classic pairing with steak that adds umami and depth. Dijon Mustard: Mustard adds a little punch and zip to the marinade, enhancing the overall flavor. Seasonings: My pantry is always stocked with these seasoning ingredients: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, coarse ground black pepper, and kosher salt. This blend is similar to my steak seasoning recipe. If you prefer other seasonings for steak, feel free to substitute them.
For the optional garlic butter
Butter: Unsalted butter is best; if you use salted butter, omit the kosher salt from the marinade. Garlic: Very finely minced or pressed fresh garlic infuses the butter with flavor. Parsley: Fresh parsley should be minced very finely, too, so it’s evenly distributed. Red Pepper Flakes: Add as much or as little as you like for a kick of heat.
How To Make Air Fryer Steak Bites
Prep the steak. Cut the steak into uniformly-sized cubes. I find that just under an inch is about the right size. You don’t need to measure with a ruler but the cubes should be all about the same size to ensure they cook evenly. Make the marinade. In a bowl large enough to hold the steak cubes, whisk together the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasonings to make the marinade. Marinate the steak. Stir the steak cubes into the marinade, making sure each one is coated well, and let the steak marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature. If you want to marinate the meat longer, refrigerate it. Put into air fryer. Remove the steak bites from the marinade, discarding the marinade, and arrange them in an even layer in the air fryer basket with space between each piece, if possible. They will shrink slightly as they cook. Cook. Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the steak halfway through the cooking time. Make garlic butter. To make the optional garlic butter, melt the butter (I usually use my microwave oven) and stir in the garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Toss the air fryer steak bites in the garlic butter mixture before serving.
How To Know When Steak Is Done
Just like with steak cooked in the oven, on the stovetop, or grill, “done” depends on your personal preference. The best way to tell when the steak bites are done is with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat. Here are the internal temperatures to look for; remember that during the resting time, the temperature will rise 5 or more degrees.
Rare: 120ºF Medium rare: 130ºF Medium: 140ºF Medium well: 150ºF Well done: 160ºF
Serving Suggestions
Toppings: Try easy sautéed onions or, even better, caramelized onions. Sautéed mushrooms are also fantastic with steak; try sautéed mushrooms with marsala or creamy Tuscan mushrooms. Potatoes: Any type of potato is always a great pairing with steak! Go with classic (and easy!) baked potatoes or if you have more time, make loaded mashed potato casserole or parmesan potatoes. We really love crispy smashed potatoes, too. Vegetables: Keep it light with green beans almondine or lemon roasted broccoli with parmesan. Salad: Pretty much any type of salad goes well with steak bites. Try my ranch pasta salad or dill potato salad. For a special occasion, serve this grilled peach salad with burrata. The steak bites can be added to salads, too! Meal Bowls/Wraps: Serve the steak bites in your favorite meal bowl or wrap.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Refrigerate: Air fryer steak bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat: The best way to reheat air fryer steak bites is to put them back in the air fryer briefly until they’re hot. They can be warmed up in a skillet set over low heat. You can also use your microwave but the steak tends to get tougher, especially if it’s overheated. Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at Meal Plan #74. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. We add a new meal plan weekly.
