I can never resist these juicy garlic butter steak bites with their crisp edges, rich savory finish, and steakhouse flavor in every bite.

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I’m obsessed with these Garlic Butter Air Fryer Steak Bites because they hit that juicy, salty, punchy craving fast without feeling like a whole production. The edges get a little browned, the centers stay tender, and every bite gets slicked with garlic and unsalted butter in the best possible way.

And honestly, I love that they taste like steakhouse snacking, not sad weeknight compromise. Just bold, beefy bites I keep stealing off the plate before dinner even looks official.

But that’s the point. Big flavor, no fuss energy, and the kind of bite that makes me go back again immediately.

Ingredients

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Sirloin or ribeye gives you juicy, beefy bites that feel totally dinner-worthy.
Olive oil helps the steak brown nicely without tasting heavy or greasy.
Kosher salt wakes everything up.
Basically, don’t skip it.
Black pepper adds a little bite, but it won’t boss the steak around.
Garlic powder brings easy savory flavor before the buttery garlic even shows up.
Worcestershire sauce adds that deep, steakhouse-style tang you’ll definitely notice.
Cornstarch helps the outside get that light, crisp edge in the air fryer.
Unsalted butter makes the bites rich, glossy, and honestly hard to stop eating.
Fresh garlic gives the butter sauce its big, cozy flavor.
Parsley adds color and a fresh little pop at the end.
Plus, lemon juice cuts the richness if you’re into a brighter finish.

Ingredient Quantities

1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

How to Make this

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1. Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels and place in a bowl.

2. Add olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch; toss until cubes are evenly coated.

3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.

4. Arrange steak cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding; cook in batches if needed.

5. Air fry for 4 minutes, shake or flip the cubes, then air fry another 3 to 4 minutes for medium rare to medium, or longer to desired doneness.

6. While steak cooks, melt unsalted butter in a small skillet over low heat or in a microwave-safe dish; add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds, taking care not to burn the garlic.

7. Transfer cooked steak bites to a bowl, pour the garlic butter over them, and toss to coat evenly.

8. Stir in chopped parsley and optional lemon juice, adjust seasoning if needed, and let rest 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels
2. Large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Chef knife
5. Cutting board
6. Air fryer with basket
7. Tongs or silicone spatula
8. Small skillet or microwave safe dish for garlic butter

FAQ

Q: How long and at what temperature do I cook the steak bites in an air fryer? A: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the 1 inch cubes for 7 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through. For medium rare aim for about 7 minutes, medium about 9 minutes.

Q: How do I get a good crust without overcooking the inside? A: Pat the cubes very dry, toss with a little cornstarch and olive oil before seasoning, and avoid overcrowding the basket so hot air can circulate. Cook in a single layer and work in batches if needed.

Q: Can I use a different cut of beef? A: Yes. Sirloin, ribeye, or other tender cuts like strip steak or top round trimmed and cut into 1 inch cubes work well. Tougher cuts can be used but may need marinating or longer, lower temperature cooking.

Q: Do I need to flip or shake the steak bites during cooking? A: Yes. Shake or toss the basket about halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.

Q: How should I store and reheat leftovers? A: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through to preserve texture. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust crisp.

Q: Can I make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time or omit the butter? A: The garlic butter is best made and added right after cooking so it stays glossy and aromatic, but you can melt butter with minced garlic ahead and warm briefly before serving. If you prefer, use olive oil and extra garlic instead of butter for a lighter option.

Garlic Butter Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Steak (sirloin or ribeye): flank steak, strip steak, skirt steak, or boneless chuck for a more economical option
Olive oil: avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or a light vegetable oil
Worcestershire sauce: soy sauce, tamari, or a mixture of 1/2 tsp soy sauce plus 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Cornstarch: arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or 1 teaspoon all purpose flour (slightly less effective for crisping)

Pro Tips

1) Pat the cubes very dry and let them sit briefly after seasoning so the cornstarch can adhere. This helps create a better crust and prevents steaming in the air fryer.

2) Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in a single layer with space between pieces so hot air can circulate. Shorter batches are worth it for even browning.

3) Use a meat thermometer to hit your preferred doneness: pull at about 125 to 130°F for medium rare, 135°F for medium. Carryover heat will raise the temperature a few degrees while the bites rest.

4) Keep the garlic butter low heat and add it just before serving. Burned garlic tastes bitter, so melt the butter gently and stir in garlic off the heat if it seems close to browning. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the dish.

Garlic Butter Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe

Recipe by Sammy Hunter

0.0 from 0 votes

I can never resist these juicy garlic butter steak bites with their crisp edges, rich savory finish, and steakhouse flavor in every bite.

Servings

servings

Calories

371

kcal

Equipment: 1. Paper towels
2. Large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Chef knife
5. Cutting board
6. Air fryer with basket
7. Tongs or silicone spatula
8. Small skillet or microwave safe dish for garlic butter

Ingredients

1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

Directions

Pat steak cubes dry with paper towels and place in a bowl.
Add olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch; toss until cubes are evenly coated.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Arrange steak cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding; cook in batches if needed.
Air fry for 4 minutes, shake or flip the cubes, then air fry another 3 to 4 minutes for medium rare to medium, or longer to desired doneness.
While steak cooks, melt unsalted butter in a small skillet over low heat or in a microwave-safe dish; add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Transfer cooked steak bites to a bowl, pour the garlic butter over them, and toss to coat evenly.
Stir in chopped parsley and optional lemon juice, adjust seasoning if needed, and let rest 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.