Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Juicy, Tender & Ready in 10 Minutes!
Quick, flavorful, and bursting with garlicky goodness — these Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are the ultimate weeknight protein. 🥩🔥🧄With a golden sear on the outside and juicy tenderness on the inside, these steak bites are tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce and finished in the air fryer for an effortless, high-protein dish that’s ready in under 15 minutes. Whether served as a snack, appetizer, or main course, these bites are keto, low carb, and packed with flavor.Perfect for steak lovers and air fryer fans alike, this recipe is easy to make and easy to love.Pair it with a simple salad, cauliflower rice, or garlic butter green beans for the perfect low-carb meal. If you like this, you’ll also enjoy our Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Bites or Garlic Butter Shrimp.
Equipment
- Air fryer – basket-style or oven-style works
- Mixing bowl – to coat the steak in seasoning
- Tongs or spatula – for flipping and tossing
- Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl – for melting butter and mixing sauce
- Meat thermometer – optional, but helpful for perfect doneness
- Knife and cutting board – for cubing the steak
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 1.5 pounds sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce optional, for depth
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional, for heat
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Season the Steak
- In a mixing bowl, toss the steak cubes with:
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder
- Mix until well coated on all sides.
Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer
- Place steak cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook in batches).
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- For medium doneness, aim for an internal temperature of 135°F–140°F.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter
- While the steak cooks, melt butter in a small pan or microwave.
- Stir in minced garlic, Worcestershire, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
- Let it simmer for 1 minute to soften the garlic.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
- When steak bites are done, transfer to a bowl and pour the garlic butter sauce over top.
- Toss to coat evenly and serve hot!
Notes
🔁 Variations
1. Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites
After tossing in garlic butter, sprinkle with grated Parmesan. 2. Asian-Inspired
Add a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions to the butter sauce. 3. Tex-Mex Style
Add cumin, chili powder, and lime juice to the butter for a fajita vibe. 4. Rosemary & Thyme
Swap parsley for fresh rosemary and thyme for a more earthy flavor. 5. Surf & Turf
Serve with air fryer shrimp or scallops for a fancy but fast meal. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing:
Freeze cooked steak bites for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw overnight. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to regain crispiness. Or microwave for 30–60 seconds, though texture may soften. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes! Ribeye, strip, or filet mignon work well, though sirloin is most budget-friendly. 2. What temperature should steak bites be cooked to?
For medium, aim for 135°F–140°F internal temp. 3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use a vegan butter substitute or olive oil + garlic. 4. Can I cook them without preheating the air fryer?
Technically yes, but preheating gives better browning and more even cooking. 5. Can I cook frozen steak cubes?
It’s best to thaw first for even cooking, but you can air fry frozen cubes at 390°F for 12–14 minutes. 6. Do I need to rest the steak bites?
Not necessary with small bites, but a 2-minute rest helps retain juices. 7. How do I avoid overcrowding?
Cook in two batches if needed. Crowding = steaming, not browning. 8. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — cook the steak, refrigerate, then reheat and toss in garlic butter before serving. 9. How do I serve these?
Serve over mashed cauliflower, zoodles, rice, or with a simple side salad. 10. What’s the best dipping sauce for these?
Try garlic aioli, chimichurri, or a spicy horseradish cream. ✅ Conclusion
These Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are the definition of easy gourmet. 🧈🔥🥩 Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce — this dish turns any weeknight into a steakhouse-style dinner without the price tag or time commitment. Whether you’re low-carb, keto, gluten-free, or just a lover of great flavor — this recipe will become a staple in your rotation. More air fryer favorites: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Get your air fryer ready — dinner is about to get delicious.
1. Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites
After tossing in garlic butter, sprinkle with grated Parmesan. 2. Asian-Inspired
Add a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions to the butter sauce. 3. Tex-Mex Style
Add cumin, chili powder, and lime juice to the butter for a fajita vibe. 4. Rosemary & Thyme
Swap parsley for fresh rosemary and thyme for a more earthy flavor. 5. Surf & Turf
Serve with air fryer shrimp or scallops for a fancy but fast meal. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing:
Freeze cooked steak bites for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw overnight. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to regain crispiness. Or microwave for 30–60 seconds, though texture may soften. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes! Ribeye, strip, or filet mignon work well, though sirloin is most budget-friendly. 2. What temperature should steak bites be cooked to?
For medium, aim for 135°F–140°F internal temp. 3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use a vegan butter substitute or olive oil + garlic. 4. Can I cook them without preheating the air fryer?
Technically yes, but preheating gives better browning and more even cooking. 5. Can I cook frozen steak cubes?
It’s best to thaw first for even cooking, but you can air fry frozen cubes at 390°F for 12–14 minutes. 6. Do I need to rest the steak bites?
Not necessary with small bites, but a 2-minute rest helps retain juices. 7. How do I avoid overcrowding?
Cook in two batches if needed. Crowding = steaming, not browning. 8. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — cook the steak, refrigerate, then reheat and toss in garlic butter before serving. 9. How do I serve these?
Serve over mashed cauliflower, zoodles, rice, or with a simple side salad. 10. What’s the best dipping sauce for these?
Try garlic aioli, chimichurri, or a spicy horseradish cream. ✅ Conclusion
These Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are the definition of easy gourmet. 🧈🔥🥩 Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and drenched in a rich, garlicky butter sauce — this dish turns any weeknight into a steakhouse-style dinner without the price tag or time commitment. Whether you’re low-carb, keto, gluten-free, or just a lover of great flavor — this recipe will become a staple in your rotation. More air fryer favorites: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Get your air fryer ready — dinner is about to get delicious.