There’s something about golden, caramelized steak bites swimming in melted garlic butter that just feels right. Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites deliver that steakhouse-quality flavor in under 15 minutes crispy edges, juicy centers, and all that buttery garlic goodness without firing up the grill.
I started testing this back in spring 2019 when my daughters were begging for “fancy steak” on a weeknight budget. After a dozen rounds tweaking the timing (because nobody wants rubbery sirloin), I learned that leaving the butter for *after* cooking is what keeps these bites tender and glossy. Over a decade of blogging has taught me that sometimes the simplest tricks make all the difference and this one’s a keeper.
PrintAir Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe Easy Quick
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are flavorful and tender steak pieces cooked quickly in a garlic butter sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for a fast dinner or appetizer any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Method: Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 650g 22.9oz of sirloin or your steak of choice trimmed of visible fat and cubed
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- pinch of red chilli flakes optional
- low calorie spray
- 2 teaspoons of minced garlic or lazy garlic
- 2 tablespoons of salted butter melted
- 1.5 tablespoons of fresh parsley chopped and additional to garnish
Instructions
- Mix the steak cubes with paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and optional red chili flakes until all pieces are thoroughly coated.
- Lightly spray the spiced steak pieces with low-calorie cooking spray and toss again to evenly cover them.
- Heat your air fryer to 200°C 400°F for 5 minutes to prepare it for cooking.
- Lay the steak pieces on the air fryer’s grill plate and cook for 6 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Remove the steak and grill plate, but keep the flavorful juices in the basket; place the steak pieces back in the air fryer with garlic, melted butter, and parsley, then toss to coat.
- Cook the coated steak for another 1-2 minutes to let all the flavors meld perfectly.
- Finish by garnishing with extra parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired before serving.
Notes
- Please see below for details about recipe: Calories – scroll down to nutritional info box
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 SERVING
- Calories: 293
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 528mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These steak bites remind me of the fancy dinners my mom Julia used to make when company came overexcept now I can whip them up on a Tuesday night without breaking a sweat. The air fryer gives you those gorgeous caramelized edges and keeps the inside tender, all while your kitchen stays cool.
- Fast enough for weeknights: From fridge to table in under 20 minutes, including prep
- Budget-friendly fancy: Sirloin cubes stretch further than a big steak and taste just as special
- Minimal cleanup: One bowl, one air fryer basketno splattery stovetop
- Crowd-pleaser: Works as a main dish with sides or an appetizer for game day
What You’ll Need
The magic here is in the simplicity. You’re working with sirloin (or your preferred steak cut), a handful of pantry spices, and that glorious finishing touch of garlic butter. Here’s what makes each ingredient matter:
- Sirloin steak: Cubed into bite-sized pieces so every morsel gets seasoned and stays tender
- Sweet paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder: The warm, savory base that clings to every surface
- Red chilli flakes: Optional, but a tiny pinch adds just enough heat to wake things up
- Low calorie spray: Helps the seasonings stick and encourages that golden crust
- Minced garlic and salted butter: The dreamy finishing sauce that makes everything glossy
- Fresh parsley: Brightness and color right at the end
Pro Tip: Trim visible fat before cubingit helps the seasoning coat evenly and prevents smoking in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
This is one of those recipes where the method matters as much as the ingredients. The secret? Cook the steak first, then toss it in the garlic butter so it stays juicy instead of steaming. After years of testing air fryer recipes, I’ve learned that saving the butter for the last minute keeps everything tender and glossy.
| Step | What to Do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toss cubed steak with paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and chilli flakes | 2 min |
| 2 | Spray with low-calorie spray and toss again | 1 min |
| 3 | Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F) | 5 min |
| 4 | Arrange steak on grill plate, air fry 6 minutes, flipping halfway | 6 min |
| 5 | Remove grill plate, leave juices in basket | 30 sec |
| 6 | Return steak, add garlic, butter, parsley; toss and air fry 1–2 min | 1–2 min |
| 7 | Garnish with extra parsley, adjust salt and pepper | 30 sec |
Note: Don’t skip the flip at the 3-minute markit’s what gives you even browning on all sides.
Tips for Perfect Results
A few little tricks can make the difference between good steak bites and wow, can I have seconds? steak bites. Here’s what I’ve learned from making these on repeat:
- Cut evenly: Aim for 1-inch cubes so they cook at the same rate
- Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between pieces for air to circulatework in batches if needed
- Check doneness early: If you prefer rare to medium-rare, start checking at 5 minutes instead of 6
- Save those juices: The drippings in the basket become the base of your sauce, so don’t dump them out
Pro Tip: Let the steak sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before seasoningit helps it cook more evenly.
How to Serve and Store
These bites are versatile enough to go from weeknight dinner to party appetizer without missing a beat. I love serving them over mashed potatoes or alongside roasted vegetables, but they’re just as good speared with toothpicks for a crowd.
| Storage | Method | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Airtight container, reheat gently in air fryer at 180°C for 2–3 min | Up to 3 days |
| Freezer | Freeze before adding garlic butter; thaw and finish with butter when reheating | Up to 2 months |
Serving Ideas: Toss with pasta, pile onto a salad, or serve with crusty bread to soak up that garlic butter. My daughters love them tucked into flour tortillas with a squeeze of lime.
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FAQs ( Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites )
What cut of steak works best for this recipe?
Sirloin, ribeye, or New York strip work excellently because they stay tender when cut into small pieces. I recommend using steaks that are at least 1 inch thick for easier cutting. Avoid lean cuts like eye of round as they can become tough in the air fryer.
How long should I cook the steak bites?
Cook for 6-8 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through for even browning. For medium-rare, aim for 6 minutes, while medium takes about 7-8 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium.
Can I make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before tossing with the cooked steak bites. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, so avoid pre-minced garlic if possible.
Should I marinate the meat before cooking?
Marinating isn’t necessary, but a 15-30 minute rest with salt and pepper enhances flavor. For deeper taste, marinate for up to 2 hours with garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Avoid acidic marinades longer than 2 hours as they can make the meat mushy.
What temperature should the air fryer be set to?
Set your air fryer to 400°F for perfect searing and cooking. This high heat creates a beautiful crust while keeping the inside tender. Preheating for 3-5 minutes ensures even cooking from the start and prevents sticking.
These Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites come together in about fifteen minutes, and that first bitecrispy on the outside, tender inside, glossy with garlic buttermakes it all feel worth celebrating. You’ll love how the kitchen smells while they cook and how quickly everyone gathers around the table. It’s the kind of recipe that makes weeknight cooking feel a little bit special without asking much of you at all.
If you want to switch things up, try swapping sirloin for ribeye when it’s on sale, or toss the finished bites with a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness. A trick I learned from my mom Julia: let your steak rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices settle back in. These reheat beautifully in the air fryer at a lower tempjust two minutes and they taste freshly made. Serve them over rice, with roasted potatoes, or straight from the basket with toothpicks for happy hour.
I’d love to hear how yours turn outtag me in your photos or tell me what you served alongside. Did you grow up with steak bites at family gatherings, or is this a new favorite? Either way, I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular rotation and maybe even onto your holiday appetizer spread. Save it, share it, and make it your ownthat’s what good recipes are for.
