Name: Air Fryer Steak Bites
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 9 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) thick-cut ribeye (or sirloin steak); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp Cajun seasoning ((mild)); 1 tsp dried parsley; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 2 tsp brown sugar; ½ tsp salt; 3 tbsp unsalted butter (, softened); Fresh thyme leaves; pinch crushed chilli flakes; salt and pepper (to taste)

Let’s add Air Fryer Steak Bites to one of the top five reasons to invest in an air fryer! They are so succulent, juicy and delicious and cook in four minutes.

I mean… you just simply can’t go wrong with a Air Fryer steak recipe that’s so incredibly tasty EVERYONE will be singing your praises after a single bite.

Cutting the steak into bite-sized pieces allows for tremendous flavor with every bite without the need to marinate first.

Chunks of raw beef coated with seasoning spices and herbs are spread out on a dark surface, ready to be cooked into delicious Air Fryer Steak Bites.

Here’s What You Will Need

I used my Cosori Air Fryer to test this recipe. Let’s take a look at the simple list of ingredients you need to make steak bite magic:

For the steak

Thick cut ribeye steak with a nice marbling of fat is the best choice for air fryer steak bites IMHO. Other cuts that can be used are sirloin (British rump steak). Avoid cheaper cuts that require slow cooking to tenderize.
Olive oil – do not use aerosol-based nonstick cooking sprays with lecithin n your air fryer as they can damage it. A simple spray bottle filled with oil is perfect.
For the seasoning: garlic powder, salt, a little brown sugar or Sukrin Gold sweetener, mild Cajun seasoning, sweet smoked paprika and dried parsley

For the garlic butter

Softened unsalted butter combined with our seasoning. A minced garlic clove can be added if you REALLY like garlic!

A thick-cut ribeye steak on a wooden board. Nearby are a clove of garlic, a bowl of garlic butter, and spices like paprika, Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, etc. Perfect for transforming into juicy steak bites in an air fryer. Fresh garlic is optional.

How to Make Air Fryer Steak Bites

↓ For the full ingredients and detailed method, jump to the recipe card.

Slice the steak into evenly sized cubes, about an inch thick. Drizzle the meat with the olive oil or use a spray bottle. Combine all the seasoning ingredients and sprinkle a generous amount all over the steak cubes.
Reserve the rest of the seasoning blend and mix with the softened butter.

Air Fryer Steak Bites—chunks of raw beef, seasoned with spices, arranged on a wooden cutting board—promise a quick and flavorful meal.

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400ºF. Don’t skip this step – we want our steak bites to hit the ground running and sizzle the minute they hit the air fryer basket!
Add the steak cubes into the air fryer in a single layer (don’t crowd them) and cook for only 4-6 minutes, shaking once. The cooking time is short allowing for the steak to be nicely browned yet juicy and tender within.

Seasoned cubes of raw steak, perfect for Air Fryer Steak Bites, are spread out inside the basket of an air fryer. The black basket features a grated bottom for even cooking.

Serve the steak bites with the garlicky butter – either brushing some on the beef as soon as it comes out of the air fryer or melting in a saucepan and drizzling over the steak bites when serving. Add fresh thyme leaves and a sprinkle of chilli flakes and dig in!

Close-up of juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites garnished with fresh herbs and red pepper flakes, served on parchment paper with a piece of roasted potato in the background.

Serving Suggestions

These steak bites are delicious served with Air Fryer honey bacon potatoes, smashed potatoes, grilled corn and avocado salad, over rice or with fries. I can barely get them out of the air fryer before my family pounces on them! Like my air fryer pork belly bites, they also make an amazing appetizer or date night starter.

Recipe Tips

Steak cuts can be confusing, especially since the names vary across the world! Take a look at this useful steak cuts guide for further information.
You can simply season your steak bites with your favorite steak seasoning blend – such as Montreal Steak or Old Bay.
These tender and juicy steak bites taste best fresh out of the air fryer. In the very unlikely event you have leftovers they will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (180°F) for 2-3 minutes.
Make sure to cook the steak bites in a single layer, without overcrowding them on the air fryer basket. If you overfill the air fryer the steak will not be able to cook properly.

Can I Make Steak Bites Without an Air Fryer?

You sure can! Heat a little oil in a large cast iron skillet and cook steak bites for 4-5 minutes in total, in batches to avoid overcrowding. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer to cook the meat to your preferred doneness (see the meat temperature chart below).

How to Tell the Steak Is Cooked

Air fryers are all different so you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your model and how you like your steak cooked.

A meat thermometer (I swear by my Thermapen) is the best way to check if the steak is cooked to your preference – take a look at this cooking guide below. I recommend cooking rare to medium otherwise your steak bites can end up being tough and chewy.