Air Fryer Steak Bites
Steak bites are cubes of sirloin that brown fast and are done before you finish the side dish. Air fryer steak bites cook in about 8 minutes at 400 °F, with a seared outside and a juicy middle, and they need only a quick toss in garlic butter at the end. This is the easy way to turn one affordable steak into dinner for four.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 21min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 145°F63 °C
- Per serving
- 290kcal
Why the air fryer works for steak bites
Steak bites are small, so they need strong heat and a short time. In a pan you have to stir constantly to brown all sides. In the air fryer, 400 °F air hits every cube at once, so each one gets a crust within a few minutes while the inside stays pink. The basket lets fat drip away instead of pooling, which also keeps the surface from steaming.
Size and cut matter more than any seasoning. One-inch cubes of sirloin finish evenly and stay tender, while stew meat contains connective tissue that needs slow braising. Making steak bites in the air fryer is a good match for weeknight dinners because the whole job, from cutting to serving, takes about 20 minutes. If you prefer to cook a whole cut, see steak.
How to make steak bites in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut and dry Trim any large pieces of fat from the sirloin and cut the steak into 1-inch cubes of even size. Pat the cubes very dry with paper towels.
- Season Toss the steak with the oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder, then let it sit for .
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Spread the steak bites in a single layer in the basket, with a little space between them. Cook for , shaking the basket after . In a 4 qt basket, cook in two batches. For medium-rare, start checking at .
- Check and toss Push an instant-read thermometer into one of the larger bites and check for 130–135 °F for medium-rare or 145 °F for medium. Toss the hot bites with the melted butter, minced garlic and parsley.
- Rest briefly Let the bites sit for before serving so the garlic butter coats them and the juices settle.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Steak Bites | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| MediumShake after 4 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 8–9 min |
| Medium-rareShake after 3 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 6–7 min |
| Medium-well to well done | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10–12 min |
| At 350 °F | 350 °F (180 °C) | 10–12 min |
| With baby potatoesPotatoes first, steak last 8 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 17–18 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 145 °F (63 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Cut evenly. Cubes of the same size finish at the same time, so none are raw while others are tough.
- Add the garlic butter at the end. Fresh garlic burns at 400 °F, so toss it with hot meat and butter after cooking.
- Do not overfill. Keep the bites in a single layer, with the basket no more than half full. Cook in batches if needed.
What to serve with steak bites
Steak bites suit mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli or green beans, and they also work as an appetizer with toothpicks and a dipping sauce. For a bowl, spoon them over rice with sautéed peppers and onions, or tuck them into a hoagie roll with melted provolone. Roasted vegetables like broccoli can cook before the steak.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 2–3 minutes until they reach 165 °F in the center. The bites will be cooked a little further, so they are best for fajitas, salads or quesadillas.
Variations
- Cowboy butter: Toss the cooked bites with butter, garlic, parsley, a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of cayenne.
- Soy and brown sugar: Replace the Worcestershire sauce with 1 tbsp soy sauce, and toss in 1 tsp brown sugar after cooking (not gluten-free).
- Mushrooms: Add 8 oz of whole button mushrooms in the basket for the full cook time.
If it does not turn out right
- The steak bites are chewy
- They cooked too long or came from a tough cut. Use sirloin, ribeye or tenderloin, not stew meat, and take them out at 145 °F or lower.
- The bites steam instead of browning
- The basket was crowded or the meat was wet. Cook in two batches if the cubes pile up, and pat them dry first.
- The pieces cook unevenly
- Cut the cubes to the same size and shake the basket halfway. Smaller 1-inch pieces cook faster than big ones.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook steak bites in the air fryer?
At 400 °F, medium-rare takes 6–7 minutes, medium 8–9 minutes and well done 10–12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway.
What temperature should steak bites be?
The USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest. Many cooks take medium-rare steak bites out at 130–135 °F, and they rise a few degrees as they rest.
What cut of meat is best for steak bites?
Sirloin gives the best balance of price and tenderness. Ribeye and tenderloin are richer and softer. Stew meat is too tough for this fast method.
Can I cook steak bites and potatoes together?
Yes. Cook 1 lb of halved baby potatoes tossed in oil for 10 minutes at 400 °F, then add the steak and cook another 7–8 minutes.
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