Air Fryer Steak Bites: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Steak bites are a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious, juicy steak. They can be tricky to cook, but an air fryer can help you achieve a caramelised outside while retaining a tender and juicy inside.

To make steak bites in an air fryer, simply cut your steak into bite-sized cubes, season, and cook in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes at 400°F. You can also make garlic butter to toss the steak bites in for extra flavour.

Choosing the right cut of steak

Sirloin Steak

Sirloin steak, especially top sirloin, is a popular choice for steak bites due to its tenderness, flavour, and affordability. It has relatively less marbling than other cuts, making it leaner. This cut is easy to find and cooks quickly, making it a convenient option. Sirloin is also versatile and can be substituted with strip loin, rib eye, or tenderloin.

Ribeye

Ribeye is a forgiving cut of steak that works well for steak bites. It has good marbling, which contributes to its tenderness and flavour. Ribeye is a great option if you're looking for a juicy and tasty bite.

Flank Steak

Flank steak is another option for your steak bites. It has a more pronounced beef flavour and is relatively lean. This cut is usually more affordable than other options, making it a budget-friendly choice.

Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is known for its tenderness, making it a suitable choice for steak bites. It can be cut into your preferred size and marinated in a simple mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and pepper. Pan-frying or air-frying tenderloin bites will result in smokey, soft, and tasty morsels.

Flat Iron Steak

If you're on a budget, flat iron steak might be the best option. It offers a good balance of flavour and affordability. Flat iron steak is also versatile and can be used in various recipes.

Other Options

Other cuts of steak that can be used for bites include New York strip, tri-tip, skirt steak, and filet. These options provide different textures and flavours, so you can choose based on your personal preference.

Remember, the key to successful steak bites is not only the cut of meat but also proper preparation, cooking, and resting. Follow a reliable recipe, such as the one provided by Mason Woodruff, and adjust the cooking time according to your desired doneness. Enjoy experimenting with different cuts of steak to find your favourite for air fryer steak bites!

Preparing the steak bites

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make your steak bites:

• Steak – sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, or skirt steak are good options.
• Seasoning – you can use a simple combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, or opt for a steak seasoning blend like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Cajun seasoning.
• Oil – olive oil or avocado oil is recommended.
• Butter – for a garlic butter sauce to toss the steak bites in after cooking.
• Salt and pepper – it is recommended to use kosher salt or sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Optional extras – soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon concentrate, brown sugar, parsley, red pepper flakes, and chilli powder.

Cutting the steak

Start by cutting your chosen steak into bite-sized cubes. Try to make the pieces as evenly sized as possible, as this will ensure they cook at the same rate. A recommended size is 1-inch cubes.

Seasoning the steak

Place the steak cubes in a bowl and coat them with oil. Then, add your chosen seasoning and mix well, ensuring the seasoning is rubbed into each cube. If you want to add extra flavour, you can also add soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or beef bouillon concentrate to the oil before mixing with the steak. You can also add brown sugar to the seasoning mix.

Cooking the steak bites

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 4-5 minutes. Once heated, place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Cook for 4-6 minutes for medium doneness, or adjust the time according to your desired level of doneness. If cooking in batches, shake the basket halfway through.

Making the garlic butter sauce

While the steak bites are cooking, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (around 30 seconds). You can also add parsley or red pepper flakes to the butter sauce. Once the steak bites are cooked, toss them in the garlic butter sauce before serving.

Cooking the steak bites

Now that you've gathered all your ingredients, it's time to cook your steak bites! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat it for about 4 to 5 minutes. Preheating is crucial as it ensures your steak bites get a nice sear.
• Prepare the steak: Cut your steak into bite-sized cubes, preferably 1-inch cubes. Try to make the sizes as uniform as possible so that they cook evenly.
• Season the steak: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, better than bouillon (or Worcestershire sauce), salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer. You can use a simple blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, or go for steak seasoning blends like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Cajun seasoning. Toss the steak cubes in this mixture and coat them well.
• Air fry the steak bites: Place the seasoned steak bites into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring you don't overcrowd the basket. Air fry at 400°F for 4 to 6 minutes for medium doneness. If you prefer your steak more rare or well-done, adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a good sear, you may want to air fry in batches.
• Optional: Make a garlic butter sauce: While the steak bites are cooking, you can prepare a delicious garlic butter sauce. Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. You can also add some parsley or red pepper flakes for extra flavour.
• Toss the steak bites in the sauce: Once the steak bites are done, toss them in the garlic butter sauce. This step is entirely optional, but it adds extra flavour and moisture to your steak bites.
• Let the steak bites rest: Before serving, let the steak bites rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy steak bites.

Your air fryer steak bites are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as an appetizer or pair them with sides like baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a side salad.

Making a sauce

Garlic Butter Sauce

As mentioned in the cooking instructions, you can melt butter and mix it with garlic powder, parsley flakes, and crushed red pepper. You can then toss the cooked steak bites in this sauce before serving.

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is a great option if you're looking for something with a bit more of a kick. It's made with fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, and cilantro, and it adds a bright, tangy flavour to the steak bites.

Steak Sauce

A traditional steak sauce, such as A1 or Oh My! Steak Sauce, is always a good option. These sauces are designed to complement the flavour of steak, so they'll definitely enhance your steak bites.

Garlic Butter Concoction

You can also make a simple garlic butter sauce by melting butter and mixing it with garlic powder and dried parsley. This sauce can be served as a dipping sauce for your steak bites.

Blue Cheese Sauce

If you're a fan of blue cheese, you can make a blue cheese sauce to go with your steak bites. Simply add some blue cheese crumbles to your cooked steak bites and allow the cheese to slightly melt into the meat. This will give your dish a tangy, sharp flavour.

Butter Sauce

A basic butter sauce can also be a great option. Simply toss your cooked steak bites in a bowl with melted butter to add moisture and flavour.

Serving suggestions

Sides

Air fryer steak bites can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:

• Baked or mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Roasted vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans, asparagus)
• Salad
• Fries (e.g. garlic parmesan, cajun, ranch)
• Grits
• Pasta salad
• Gravy
• Chimichurri sauce

Sauces

You can also serve your steak bites with a variety of sauces, including:

• Garlic butter
• Horseradish sauce
• Steak sauce
• Chimichurri sauce
• Hummus
• Tzatziki sauce
• A1 sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Mustard cream
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cajun butter sauce

Other tips

• Steak bites can be served as an appetiser or main dish.
• If you're serving steak bites as an appetiser, consider serving them with toothpicks.

Frequently asked questions