Quick and Easy Air Fryer Steak Bites
Skipping the grill doesn’t mean giving up on a great steak. These air fryer steak bites come together in under 20 minutes and deliver incredible flavor with almost zero effort. Whether the weather isn’t cooperating or you just need a fast protein, this simple method turns a single sirloin into perfectly cooked, bite-sized pieces.
You only need a few pantry staples for the classic version, but the technique is completely adaptable to whatever marinades you have in the fridge. Check out the video below to see exactly how to prep them, plus a few easy flavor variations to mix up your routine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No grill required: Perfect for when you don’t want to fire up the grill or the weather keeps you indoors.
- Ready in under 20 minutes: A super fast way to get a delicious steak dinner on the table.
- Simple prep: You only need one steak and a handful of basic seasonings.
- Highly customizable: Keep it classic with salt and pepper, or easily swap in your favorite marinades and dipping sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 steak (top sirloin, petite sirloin, or New York strip)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Barbecue sauce, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Pat the steak dry, then cut it into bite-sized cubes.
- Place the cubed steak into a bowl and toss it with the avocado oil.
- Season the steak bites with a little bit of salt and black pepper.
- Once the air fryer is heated, toss the steak bites into the basket. Do not overload the air fryer; it is best to cook one steak at a time.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, checking and shaking the basket every 5 minutes to see how they are looking.
- Use a meat thermometer on the biggest piece to check for doneness. Look for an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite barbecue dipping sauce.
Variations Shown in the Video
Teriyaki Steak Bites: Cut the steak and marinate it in a no-soy teriyaki sauce for a couple of hours. Season with salt and pepper, air fry as directed, and serve with a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce (like mango jalapeño). This version gets a great caramelization in the air fryer.
Greek & Italian Steak Bites: Marinate the cubed steak in a mix of Greek and Italian dressings for a couple of hours. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning before cooking. Toss the finished bites with fresh parsley and serve with a garlic aioli mayo for dipping.
