Why These Air Fryer Steak Bites Work
Started at 380°F but the meat wasn’t getting that seared edge. Bumped it to 400°F preheat and the difference was obvious.
The brown sugar in the rub caramelizes fast at high heat. Creates a crust without drying out the inside.
✅ Ready in 10 minutes flat
✅ Medium-rare doneness with meat thermometer
✅ Costs $12 less than steakhouse version
✅ Best cut for air fryer steak bites is sirloin
✅ No grill needed in winter
Lily calls these “Daddy’s fancy meat cubes.”
What You Need for Tender Steak Bites
Air fryer steak bites start with good beef cut into even pieces. The garlic butter at the end is what takes them from good to really good.
✔ Top Sirloin Filet : cut into 1-inch cubes for even cooking, ribeye chunks work too
✔ Brown sugar : helps create that caramelized crust
✔ Garlic butter : made with real butter, not margarine
✔ Chili powder : adds depth without overwhelming the beef
Cut the beef into similar-sized pieces or they’ll cook unevenly.
How to Cook Perfect Steak Bites
Air fryer steak bites time and temp is simple once you get it right. High heat, quick cook, don’t overcrowd the basket.
- Cut sirloin into 1-inch cube
- Toss with olive oil and spice ru
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minute
- Arrange beef cubes in single layer in basket-style air frye
- Cook 8 minutes, shake basket halfwa
- Check internal temp hits 135°F for medium-rar
- Melt butter with garlic powder and toss
Resting the beef for 3 minutes after cooking keeps the juices inside. Skip this and they’ll run all over the plate.
Three Ways to Switch Up the Flavor
Want something different? These versions all use the same cook time and temp.
Cajun-Spiced Version
Replace the chili powder with Cajun seasoning. Jessica’s brother requests this one every time he visits from Minneapolis.
The Cajun blend has paprika and cayenne already mixed in. Skip the extra paprika in the rub or it’ll be too much.
Teriyaki Glazed
Brush with teriyaki sauce in the last 2 minutes. Reminds me of the beef skewers from that Japanese place on Geary Street back in SF.
The sugar in teriyaki burns fast, so add it near the end. Learned that after ruining a whole batch.
Herb Butter Finish
Mix fresh thyme and rosemary into the butter instead of garlic. More subtle flavor that lets the beef shine through.
Lily won’t eat this version because she can see the green herbs. Her loss.
Getting the Right Texture
How long to cook steak bites in air fryer at 400 depends on how you like your beef. 8 minutes gets you medium-rare with sirloin cubes.
The meat should have a browned crust on the outside. Use a meat thermometer to check 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium.
Don’t stack the cubes or use a wire rack insert if your model has one. Air needs to hit all sides or the bottoms stay gray and soft.
If your beef is coming out tough, you’re cooking too long. Pull them at 6 minutes, check temp, add time if needed.
My Ninja runs hot so I dropped it to 390°F. Test your model and adjust.
What Goes Well with Steak Bites
These pair really well with sides that soak up the garlic butter. Keep it simple so the beef stays the star.
Mashed Potatoes
The butter from the steak mixes into the potatoes. I use instant from Hornbacher’s on weeknights because nobody can tell the difference.
Caesar Salad
Cold, crispy romaine balances the hot, rich beef. Jessica makes hers with bagged lettuce and store-bought dressing. Works fine.
Roasted Asparagus
Toss with olive oil, same 400°F in the air fryer for 8 minutes while the beef rests. Timing works out perfect.
Garlic Bread
Toast some baguette slices with butter. Use them to soak up any garlic butter left on the plate. Buddy waits under Lily’s chair for dropped pieces.
The sides don’t need to be fancy. Just something to round out the plate.
Storing Your Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air fryer steak bites keep okay but they’re best fresh. I only make what we’ll eat that night.
Storage
- At room temperature: 2 hours max, loosely covered
- In the fridge: 3 days in an airtight container
- In the freezer: Not recommended, texture gets grainy when thawed
Reheating
How to reheat steak bites in air fryer: 350°F for 3 minutes, no longer or they’ll overcook. Microwave makes them rubbery and tough.
Add a tiny bit of butter when reheating to refresh the coating. Don’t expect the same texture as fresh though.
Anti-waste tip
Chop leftovers into smaller pieces for fried rice or stir-fry. The garlic butter flavor holds up well mixed with soy sauce and vegetables.
Honestly though, these never last long enough to store.
Complete Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe
This is the version I settled on after testing different temps. The garlic butter finish is what Jessica says makes them worth making at home instead of ordering out.
Air fryer steak bites cook fast at 400°F and come out medium-rare with a caramelized crust. Better than the $20 appetizer from that steakhouse on Main Avenue.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 16 oz Top Sirloin Filet cut into 1-inch bite-sized cubes, trimmed
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil about 8 g
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for rub
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar about 6 g
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter about 21 g
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for butter
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes dried
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional heat
Instructions
- Cut sirloin into 1-inch cubes and trim excess fat.
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, chili powder, black pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar to form a rub.
- Toss beef cubes in the spice mixture until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the beef in a single layer in the air fryer basket; do not overcrowd.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, shaking the basket at the 4-minute mark.
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare (use a meat thermometer).
- While the beef cooks, melt butter and stir in 1/4 tsp garlic powder, parsley flakes, and red pepper flakes.
- Remove beef from the basket and let rest for 3 minutes.
- Toss rested beef with the garlic butter and serve immediately.
Notes
- For best texture, cook in a single layer and shake the basket halfway through.
- Pull at 135°F for medium-rare; going past 145°F can make the bites tough.
- Sirloin or ribeye works best; avoid very lean cuts like round steak.
- A dry rub promotes browning in the air fryer; wet marinades can steam the meat.
- Let the steak bites rest 3 minutes before tossing in butter to retain juices.
- Reheat leftovers at 350°F in the air fryer for about 3 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Questions About Air Fryer Steak Bites
This is the version I tested three times to get right. Crispy outside, juicy inside, costs less than takeout, and Lily actually eats it without negotiating.
How long to cook steak bites in air fryer at 400?
8 minutes total, shaking the basket halfway through. Check with meat thermometer for 135°F for medium-rare.
What’s the best cut for air fryer steak bites?
Top sirloin or ribeye chunks work best. Tested both, ribeye is more tender but sirloin is cheaper and still comes out good.
Why are my air fryer steak bites tough?
You’re cooking past 145°F or using a lean cut. Keep it to 8 minutes max at 400°F and use sirloin cubes, not round steak.
Air fryer steak bites marinade vs dry rub, which is better?
Dry rub creates better crust. Marinades add moisture that steams the beef instead of searing it in the air fryer.
Try This Recipe and Let Me Know
Air fryer steak bites at 400°F work every single time. Rate it below if you make them, helps other people decide if it’s worth trying.
Leave a comment if you switched up the seasoning or tried a different cut. Tag #AirFryerPlates if you post a photo, I check those when I’m testing new recipes.
