Air Fryer Steak Bites: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryer steak bites are a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious steak. They are tender and juicy, with a caramelized outside and a juicy inside. Requiring minimal prep time and clean-up, they are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a protein-packed snack.

Choosing the right cut of steak

Type of Steak

The type of steak you choose will depend on your personal preference and budget. Some popular options for steak bites include:

• Top sirloin: A lean option that cooks quickly and evenly.
• Ribeye: Well-marbled with fat, making it juicy and flavourful.
• New York strip: A tender cut with a robust beefy flavour.
• Filet mignon: A tender and luxurious option, but more expensive.
• Flat iron: Offers a good balance of flavour and affordability.

Marbling and Fat Content

The amount of fat and marbling in the steak will influence its juiciness and flavour. Steaks with more marbling, like ribeye, tend to be more tender and juicy. If you prefer a leaner option, opt for a cut like top sirloin.

Cooking Time

Consider the cooking time you're aiming for. Thinner cuts, like flank steak or skirt steak, will cook faster than thicker cuts. If you're short on time, opt for a thinner cut.

Personal Preference

Everyone has unique preferences when it comes to steak. Some like their steak rare, while others prefer it well-done. Consider how you want your steak bites to be cooked and choose a cut that suits that doneness level. For example, if you want a more well-done steak, opt for a thicker cut that can withstand longer cooking times without drying out.

Budget

The budget is an essential factor when choosing a steak cut. Some cuts, like filet mignon, are more expensive, while others, like flat iron or top sirloin, offer a more budget-friendly option without compromising flavour and quality.

Availability

The availability of certain cuts may vary depending on your location and the season. Opt for cuts that are readily available and fresh to ensure the best quality.

Remember, when making air fryer steak bites, you want a cut that is tender, juicy, and easy to cook in bite-sized pieces. By considering these factors, you can choose the right cut of steak to create delicious and mouthwatering air fryer steak bites.

Preparing the steak bites

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.

For the steak, you can use top sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, flank, filet, Tri-tip, or skirt steak. Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch cubes. Try to get the sizes to be fairly uniform so that all of the bites cook to the same level of doneness.

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like. You can use a simple combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, or go for a store-bought steak seasoning blend like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Cajun seasoning. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can also add beef bouillon concentrate or Worcestershire sauce to the oil mixture.

Now it's time to toss the steak cubes with the oil and seasoning mixture. Make sure to coat the steak bites well.

Place the steak bites into the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the steak bites for around 4-6 minutes for medium doneness. If you prefer your steak more on the rare side, reduce the cooking time, and if you like it more well done, cook for a couple of minutes longer. You can also adjust the cooking time depending on how crispy you want your steak bites. For a crispier texture, air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking.

Once the steak bites are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in more tender meat.

Cooking the steak bites

The first step in cooking your steak bites is to preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, cut your steak into bite-sized pieces or 1-inch cubes. You can use a variety of steak cuts, such as top sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, or flank steak.

Next, prepare your seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, better than bouillon (or Worcestershire sauce), garlic powder or minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices like Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.

Now it's time to toss the steak cubes with the seasoning. Make sure to coat each piece well. You can also add the steak to a large bowl with the olive oil, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper, and toss until every piece is coated.

Once your steak bites are seasoned, carefully place them into the air fryer basket, ensuring you don't overcrowd the basket. Air fry the steak bites for about 4 minutes, then shake the basket or give it a good stir. Cook for another 3-6 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook for a shorter time, and for medium-well, cook for a couple of minutes longer.

When the steak bites are done to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in tender meat.

You can also make an optional garlic butter sauce by combining melted butter with minced garlic and dried or fresh parsley. Toss the steak bites in this sauce before serving for extra flavour.

And that's it! Your air fryer steak bites are now ready to be devoured. Enjoy!

Making a sauce or seasoning

The sauce or seasoning you use for your air fryer steak bites can make or break the dish. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a delicious sauce or seasoning:

Spices and Seasonings:

• Keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Opt for a store-bought steak seasoning blend like Montreal Steak Seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute.
• Get creative with spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, coriander, or paprika.
• Remember that some seasoning blends already contain salt, so be careful not to overdo it with additional salt.

Sauces:

• Make a butter sauce by melting butter and mixing it with ingredients like garlic powder, parsley flakes, crushed red pepper, or hot sauce.
• Try a garlic butter sauce by combining melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley, or fresh minced garlic.
• Serve your steak bites with a side of sauce such as chimichurri, hummus, tzatziki, A1 sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard cream, steak Diane sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or Cajun butter sauce.
• For an Asian-inspired twist, marinate the steak in soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.

Other Tips:

• If you're using garlic, you can lock in more flavour by adding it to the marinade.
• Blue cheese crumbles are a tasty addition to steak bites—add them after cooking and allow them to slightly melt into the meat.
• Don't be afraid to experiment! Try different combinations of spices, herbs, and sauces to find your perfect flavour profile.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer steak bites are incredibly versatile and can be served as a main dish, appetiser, or even a low-carb snack. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sides: Air fryer steak bites pair well with a variety of sides, including steamed broccoli with lemon juice and Parmesan, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, garlic bread, and roasted vegetables like cabbage and carrots.
• Dips and sauces: For an extra flavour boost, serve your steak bites with a dipping sauce such as creamy horseradish sauce, chimichurri sauce, hummus, tzatziki sauce, A1 sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard cream, garlic butter sauce, or steak Diane sauce.
• Salads: If you're looking for something lighter, serve your steak bites with a side salad or a BLT pasta salad.
• Starches: For a heartier meal, pair your steak bites with rice, cheesy grits, or your favourite mashed potato recipe. You can also serve them with oven-baked fries, such as the garlic parmesan version, or air fryer Cajun fries or ranch potato wedges.
• Vegetables: Air-fried vegetables like carrots, green beans, or frozen broccoli also make a great side dish.
• Appetisers: For a fun and interactive appetiser, serve your steak bites with toothpicks alongside a main dish, or as a standalone appetiser.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite way to enjoy air fryer steak bites!

Frequently asked questions