Air Fryer Steak Bites

These Air Fryer Steak Bites are juicy, tender, and ready fast with simple pantry seasonings. Bite-size pieces of steak are tossed with oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper, then cooked in the air fryer until browned on the outside and tender inside.

This is an easy air fryer dinner recipe that works as a main dish, appetizer, or quick protein for rice bowls, noodles, salads, potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

Recipe Update: After reader feedback that 12 minutes was too long for some air fryers, this recipe was updated with a wider cook-time range and earlier doneness checks. In our air fryer, 6 to 8 minutes gave the best juicy texture for one inch sirloin pieces. Smaller pieces cooked faster, while larger pieces needed closer to 9 to 10 minutes.

The key to juicy steak bites is simple: cut the steak into even pieces, preheat the air fryer, do not overcrowd the basket, and check the steak early. Most steak bites cook best in 6 to 8 minutes at 400°F, depending on the size of the pieces and how done you like your steak.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe

Air fryer steak bites are quick, easy, and full of flavor. They are perfect when you want steak without heating a grill or using a skillet.

The air fryer gives the steak pieces browned edges while keeping the inside tender. The soy sauce adds savory flavor, while the oil helps the seasoning coat the beef and helps the outside cook evenly.

This recipe is also easy to customize. Add garlic butter, mushrooms, onions, Cajun seasoning, blue cheese, or your favorite steak sauce after cooking.

How Long to Cook Steak Bites in the Air Fryer

Cook steak bites in the air fryer at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes for medium to medium-rare steak bites. For more well-done steak bites, cook closer to 10 to 12 minutes.

Air fryer models cook differently, so check the steak early the first time you make this recipe.

Air Fryer Steak Bites Cook Time

Rare: 4 to 5 minutes
Medium-rare: 5 to 6 minutes
Medium: 6 to 8 minutes
Medium-well: 8 to 10 minutes
Well done: 10 to 12 minutes

For best results, use an instant-read meat thermometer. The steak bites will continue to rise slightly in temperature after cooking, so avoid overcooking them if you want juicy steak.

How to Make Steak Bites

Prepare the Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. This simple but flavorful marinade will add a savory, umami depth to the steak, enhancing its natural richness.

Cut the Steak
Take a sirloin, and slice it into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 ½-inch by 1-inch. These smaller portions ensure the meat cooks evenly and quickly, resulting in tender and juicy steak bites.

Marinate the Steak
Add the steak pieces to the bowl of marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Toss the steak gently in the mixture, making sure all sides absorb the flavors. Let the steak sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. For an even bolder taste, you can marinate the steak for up to 30 minutes.

Preheat the Air Fryer
While the steak is marinating, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Preheating is crucial as it helps the steak cook more evenly and gives it a nice, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Cook the Steak Bites
Once preheated, carefully arrange the marinated steak bites in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer with some space between each piece. This allows the air to circulate freely, ensuring an even cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Best Steak for Air Fryer Steak Bites

Sirloin steak is a great choice because it is lean, flavorful, and easy to cut into bite-size pieces. It also cooks quickly in the air fryer without becoming too greasy.

Other good cuts for steak bites include New York strip, beef tenderloin, filet mignon, and top sirloin. Beef tenderloin will be the most tender option, while sirloin is usually the best balance of flavor, texture, and price.

Ribeye can be used, but it is fattier and may cook unevenly when cut into small pieces. If you love ribeye, you may prefer cooking it as a whole steak instead of cutting it into bites.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Steak Bites

Steak

Use sirloin steak, New York strip, beef tenderloin, filet mignon, or another tender cut of beef. Cut the steak into even 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch pieces so they cook at the same rate.

Oil

Oil helps coat the steak and helps the pieces brown in the air fryer. Olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil will work.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce adds savory flavor and helps the steak brown. Low-sodium soy sauce is a good choice if you want more control over the saltiness.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and black pepper keep the seasoning simple and classic. If using regular soy sauce, reduce the added salt so the steak does not become too salty.

Optional Garlic Butter

For extra flavor, toss the cooked steak bites with melted butter and minced garlic right before serving.

Tips for Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Crowding traps steam and prevents the steak from browning.

Cut the steak into even pieces. Small pieces cook quickly and can overcook fast.

Preheat the air fryer. A hot air fryer helps the steak brown better.

Check early. Steak bites can go from juicy to overcooked quickly because they are small.

Let the steak rest before serving. A short rest helps keep the bites juicy.

Add butter after cooking, not before. Butter can burn in the air fryer, but it tastes great tossed with the hot steak bites after they cook.

Steak Bite Variations

Mushroom Steak Bites

Add sliced mushrooms to the bowl with the steak and toss with the marinade. Cook with the steak bites, but make sure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded.

Onion Steak Bites

Add sliced white or yellow onions to the steak mixture before air frying. The onions will soften and add extra flavor.

Cajun Steak Bites

Add Cajun seasoning to the marinade and toss the cooked steak with melted butter after air frying.

Garlic Parmesan Steak Bites

Toss the cooked steak bites with melted butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and parsley.

Blue Cheese Steak Bites

Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles over the hot steak bites right after cooking so the cheese softens slightly.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak Bites

Serve this recipe over a bed of steamed white rice, fried rice, or noodles like this vegetable lo mein. In addition, this recipe is great with a side dish of vegetables, or brussels sprouts. Of course, a crunchy green salad is also a great choice.

If you’re looking to host a small get together, make a double batch and serve the bites with a toothpick and a variety of dipping sauces such as blue cheese, ranch, western, honey mustard, or garlic butter sauce.

Reader Questions and Tips About Air Fryer Steak Bites

More Air Fryer and Beef Recipes

For more easy dinner ideas, try Air Fryer Cajun Butter Steak Bites with Mushrooms, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Grilled Flank Steak, Carne Asada Street Tacos, or Air Fryer Chicken Bites.