These easy air fryer steak bites take just a few minutes to make…the perfect weeknight dinner! Juicy, tender, and packed with so much flavor.
They cook in just 6 to 8 minutes, and you can even pre-season the steak 2 days in advance. It’s a super easy prep-ahead friendly recipe!
Whenever I have a hectic day, I make these delicious and juicy air fryer steak bites. I usually season them overnight and when I come home, I simply throw them in the air fryer and cook for just 6 to 8 minutes…and just like that, dinner is served!
These steak bites, along with these super easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are two of our favorite quick dinners to make when we’re busy.
Why I love these air fryer steak bites:
- Quick and easy! They take just 6 to 8 minutes to cook.
- Make-ahead friendly: Season the beef up to 2 days in advance.
- Juicy and delicious: These are seriously packed with flavor and are so juicy inside.
I love serving these with a simple garlic butter as a dipping sauce, and with roasted potatoes or buttered garlic noodles on the side. If you’d rather skip the garlic butter, try serving it with a quick chimichurri sauce or romesco sauce.
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Recommended Air Fryers
First things first. The air fryer. I use a Ninja MAX XL air fryer (not sponsored, I just really love my air fryer).
It’s technically an extra large, as its name says, but I find that it’s the perfect size to make dinner for 2 people. It heats up really quick and cooks food very fast. I love how this air fryer does a great job giving these air fryer steak bites the perfect char, while keeping the steak juicy and tender.
For this recipe, I’d recommend using at least a 5.5 quart air fryer. You’ll need to cook the steak in 2 batches or so. A smaller one would probably require more rounds of cooking.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a handful of ingredients to make these super easy air fryer steak bites! As always, below are a few kitchen notes. The specific ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card down below.
- Sirloin steak: I find sirloin to be the best steak to make air fryer steak bites, but you can also try NY strip or ribeye, which are a little fattier.
- Smoked paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning: These spices add lots of great flavor.
- Garlic: I use freshly minced garlic. Lots of it. Adds so much flavor.
- Olive oil, salt, pepper
Recommended Cuts of Steak
I use sirloin for this recipe. It’s a relatively lean cut of meat and stays juicy. You can also use fattier cuts, such as NY strip or ribeye for even juicier steak bites, although those tend to be a bit pricier.
Cuts of beef NOT to use: flank steak, skirt steak, chuck roast, or similar.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You’ll love how easy these delicious steak bites are! They take less than 10 minutes in the air fryer, and you can serve them as appetizers or as a main dish.
Step 1 | Season beef
In a bowl, combine the cubed beef with olive oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Let it rest for about 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
Prep ahead: Season the beef up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. The longer it sits in the seasoning, the more flavorful it will be.
Step 2 | Cook in the air fryer
Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes. Arrange the seasoned steak in the basket of a large air fryer, in one single layer, without overcrowding. Cook in batches if needed. There’s no need to spray with cooking oil.
Air fry for about 6 to 8 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness.
How Long to Cook Steak Bites in Air Fryer
For steak cut into 1-inch pieces, I’d recommend the following cooking times and temperature.
- Medium-rare: 6 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- Medium: 8 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- Well-done: 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
I would not recommend cutting the steak into pieces smaller than 1-inch, as the center may cook faster than the exterior can develop a slight char.
Serving and Pairing Ideas
I love serving the air fryer steak bites with a side of potatoes. Try these Roasted Crispy Potatoes, Potato Wedges, Blue Cheese Bacon Potato Salad, or Dill Potato Salad.
If you’re looking for more easy steak recipes, check these out:
Recipe FAQs
I’d recommend a 5.5 quart air fryer or larger. I use the Ninja XL Air Fryer.
Sirloin works great. Ribeye or NY Strip would work too.
Yes, you can season the steak up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, cook in the air fryer as directed.
For 1-inch steak bites, air fry at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes for medium-rare, 8 minutes for medium, and 10 minutes for well-done.
Tips for Success
- Cut the steak into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking. Anything smaller than that could lead to overcooking really fast.
- Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes at 400 degrees. This will help develop a better char on the outside.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches as needed, in a single layer.
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Air Fryer Steak Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Steak bites
- 1 pound sirloin steak, evenly cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Garlic butter
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine steak, olive oil, paprika, italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors come together (if you're running out of time, even 5 minutes of seasoning works!) Tip: You can season up to 2 days in advance.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes.
- Arrange steak bites on the air fryer basket, in one single layer, without overcrowding (cook in batches as needed). Air fry at 400 degrees until desired doneness: 6 for medium-rare, 8 minutes for medium, and 10 minutes for well-done. Note: There’s no need to spray the beef with cooking oil prior to cooking.
- Make the garlic butter: Combine all the garlic butter ingredients listed above and mix. Set aside.
- Serve the steak bites with the prepared garlic butter as a dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the steak into uniform pieces (1-inch) so it cooks evenly. I would not recommend cutting into smaller than 1-inch, since the interior may cook faster than the outside can develop a char.
- Preheating the air fryer will help you get a better char on the outside.
- Use a large air fryer and cook in batches as needed. I have a 5.5 quart air fryer. Arrange the steak bites in a single layer.
- Make ahead: Season the meat up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. Cook as directed.
- Cooking times:
- 6 minutes: medium-rare.
- 8 minutes: medium.
- 10 minutes: well-done.
- Sirloin steak: Ribeye or NY Strip.
Maria S says
Love these!
Tania says
So happy you liked them!