Here’s a fun and flavorful air fryer steak bites recipe that my whole family loves. They cook tender and juicy every time — even my kids eat them!

My Tender Bite-Sized Steak Tips in the Air Fryer

My air fryer steak bites recipe came about with my kids in mind. My husband Ben and I love steak, but the kids, not so much.

So I came up with the idea to chop the steak into bite-sized pieces full of flavor and serve them with toothpicks on their plates. Yep, no forks! I still served them with Worcestershire sauce on the table, as my dad just always had it growing up and I’ve kept it around.

My kids thought it was so fun they completely forgot it was steak and ate it all! That was definitely a win-win in my book.

The steak bites cook quicker in the air fryer than the oven and get that nice seared-like outer crusting.

And, if you love cooking steak in the air fryer, try my flank steak, ribeye steak, sirloin steak, and this delicious London marinade recipe!

Why Make This Garlic Butter Steak Bites Air Fryer Recipe

• More consistent and quicker than cooking in the oven or on the grill
• Steak cooks evenly
• Super quick
• Less oil and grease
• High-protein, low-carb meal
• Kid-approved

Air Fryer Steak Bite Ingredients

• Sirloin steak — or other cut of steak
• Olive oil — vegetable oil works too
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Parsley — optional

How to Cook Steak Bites in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Cut sirloin steak into 1½-inch cubes.

STEP THREE: In a bowl, whisk together the oil, melted butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to form the sauce. Then add the cubed steak to the sauce bowl and toss together until every piece is coated.

STEP FOUR: Transfer them to the air fryer basket or tray and air fry them for about 7-12 minutes, depending on preferred doneness.

STEP FIVE: Remove them from the air fryer and let rest for at least 3 minutes, then enjoy!

Steak Temperature and Cooking Guidelines

These juicy steak bites cook best at 400 degrees F at the following times depending on the doneness you prefer. I personally like to cook my steak to medium rare to medium to keep it a soft and tender steak.

• Rare: 6 to 7 minutes (120 to 125 degrees F)
• Medium-rare: 7 to 8 minutes (130 to 135 degrees F)
• Medium: 10 minutes (140 to 145 degrees F)
• Medium-well: 12 minutes (150 to 155 degrees F)

Note: actual timing with internal temperatures will depend on how small you cut each piece of steak and how packed the air fryer is.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Beef Recipe

• Try to cut the steak into even cubes so they will cook at the same rate.
• Only cook as much as steak as fits in one layer in your air fryer. Leave some room between the pieces for even cooking. Cook in batches if needed.
• Toss the steak thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce for maximum flavor.
• Use a meat thermometer that beeps to be notified when your steak is done cooking. This one works great even in my basket air fryer!
• Let rest for at least 3 minutes, then enjoy immediately for the best taste.

Variations to Making Steak Bites

• Switch up the spices by using Cajun or Italian seasoning or add in some garlic powder for extra flavor.
• Use a store-bought steak seasoning to add flavor and convenience. My favorite is McCormick.
• For an Asian-inspired twist, marinate the steak in soy sauce or teriyaki.
• Add thyme or rosemary to the melted butter.
• Sprinkle Parmesan or blue cheese crumbles over the steak bites after cooking.

What to Serve with Steak Bites

I served these with pineapple pieces, cherry tomatoes, and some French fries so the kids could eat their entire dinner with a toothpick.

For a full meal, I recommend some smashed potatoes, broccoli, and a little garlic bread. If you’re really hungry, hasselback potatoes are a great change up from regular potatoes! And, of course they go so well in a salad too.

Air Fryer Steak Tips FAQs

What Kind Of Steak To Use

I used sirloin steak for this recipe. It’s a pretty inexpensive cut of beef as far as steaks go and still gives you that big flavor you expect. Ribeye, sirloin, or New York strip steak will also work.

How to Store and Reheat Steak Bites in the Air Fryer

Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat any leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 2 to 3 minutes.

More Air Fryer Steak Recipes

• Air Fryer Carne Asada
• Air Fryer Tri Tip
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Beef Roast
• Air Fryer New York Strip
• Air Fryer Filet Mignon
• Air Fryer T Bone Steak

Love air frying? Join my newsletter! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or join my free Facebook Air Frying Community.