I’ve made a lot of steak recipes over the years, but there’s something about these air fryer steak bites that has me making them on repeat. They’re ready in under 20 minutes, the cleanup is minimal, and the garlic butter is next-level good.

My husband requests these constantly, and I don’t blame him — perfectly seasoned steak coated in buttery, garlicky goodness is just hard to beat.

Variations & Substitutions

Sirloin is my top pick for this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between flavor and budget, but ribeye will give you a richer, more indulgent result. New York strip is another solid option.

For the spice blend, feel free to swap smoked paprika for regular paprika or add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile altogether. If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, a small splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar in the garlic butter works beautifully and adds a wonderful depth of flavor.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results

Dry your steak bites thoroughly before seasoning them; press those paper towels firmly against every piece. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket at all costs — steak bites need space for hot air to circulate around them, or they’ll steam instead of sear.

Pull them out slightly earlier than you think you need to, since carryover cooking will continue working after they leave the basket. A meat thermometer is a must here: 130°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium.

Serving Suggestions

These steak bites are at their best served immediately while the garlic butter is still warm and glossy. I love piling them over a creamy mashed potato base or alongside roasted asparagus and a simple wedge salad for a full dinner spread.

They also work brilliantly as an appetizer with toothpicks and a side of chimichurri or creamy horseradish dipping sauce. For a heartier meal, serve them over steamed white rice or egg noodles so everything soaks up that incredible garlic butter sauce. A crusty baguette on the side is never a bad idea either.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much to pull this recipe off, which is part of what makes it so appealing on a busy weeknight.

Sharp chef’s knife and cutting board
Air fryer (basket-style or oven-style both work)
Large mixing bowl
Paper towels
Small saucepan
Tongs or a spatula
Instant-read meat thermometer

Prep Ahead Tips

You can get a head start on this recipe to make weeknight dinners a breeze. Cut your steak into cubes up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also mix the dry spice blend ahead of time and keep it in a small jar on your counter.

The garlic butter can be made up to three days ahead — simply reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave in 15-second increments before tossing with your freshly cooked steak bites.

Budget Tips

Sirloin is genuinely one of the most affordable cuts that still delivers fantastic flavor, so stick with it over pricier options like ribeye when you’re watching your grocery bill. Buying a larger sirloin roast and cutting it yourself rather than purchasing pre-cut steak cubes can save you a surprising amount of money per pound.

Store-brand butter works just as well as name-brand here — you won’t notice the difference once it’s loaded with garlic and herbs. Buying garlic bulbs rather than pre-minced jarred garlic is both cheaper and more flavorful.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover steak bites keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat without drying them out, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for just 2–3 minutes — this revives that exterior crispiness better than any other method.

The microwave works in a pinch but can make the steak a bit chewy, so use it only at 50% power in short 30-second bursts. I don’t recommend freezing these after cooking since the texture suffers significantly, but you can freeze raw seasoned steak bites for up to two months before cooking.

Prep Time:10

Cook Time:8

Ingredients

For the Steak Bites:

1.5 lbs sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

For the Garlic Butter:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Prep the steak. Pat your steak cubes completely dry with paper towels.
Season generously. Toss the steak bites with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl until every piece is well coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
Cook in a single layer. Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket without overcrowding — work in batches if needed. Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until nicely browned on the outside.
Make the garlic butter. While the steak cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and a pinch of salt.
Toss and serve. Transfer the cooked steak bites to a bowl, pour that gorgeous garlic butter all over them, toss to coat, and serve immediately.

Servings: