If there’s one dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor with zero fuss, it’s Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites. These juicy, savory morsels are drenched in garlic butter, crisped at the edges, and ready in barely 20 minutes—perfect for busy nights or those cozy evenings when you’re craving something seriously indulgent and comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Weeknight Dinner: Minimal prep and under 15 minutes of cook time mean you can satisfy that steakhouse craving any night—no reservation needed.
- Big, Bold Flavors: That golden garlic butter clings to each steak bite, infusing every piece with an irresistible, savory richness.
- Air Fryer Magic: Quick hot air circulation delivers perfect caramelized steak edges and juicy centers—every time, with little cleanup.
- Family-Approved & Entertaining-Ready: These steak bites disappear FAST at weeknight dinners, parties, and game nights alike—everyone will want seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites is just how streamlined the ingredient list is—every single addition is a flavor powerhouse, and together they create pure steakhouse bliss. Here’s why each one matters:
- Boneless ribeye steaks: The marbling in ribeye ensures bites that stay incredibly juicy and tender—if you like, you can swap in sirloin or New York strip.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasonings cling to the steak and encourages that signature air-fried caramelization.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning is everything—salt enhances the natural beefy flavor while keeping the bites juicy.
- Fresh cracked black pepper: You’ll taste the difference—fresh cracked brings a subtle bite to balance the richness.
- Smoked paprika: Delivers gentle warmth and a touch of smokiness—don’t skip it!
- Salted butter: The base of our dreamy finishing sauce—salted adds extra flavor.
- Garlic, minced: Three whole cloves ensure every single steak bite tastes deeply garlicky and aromatic.
- Fresh chopped parsley: For pops of color and a bit of brightness to finish.
Variations
The beauty of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites is how welcoming the recipe is to your own personal touch—don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors or swap based on what’s in your fridge. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Spicy Steak Bites: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a bold kick.
- Herb Heaven: Swap parsley for chopped rosemary or thyme for a woodsy, aromatic finish.
- Cheesy Finish: Shower your steak bites with freshly grated Parmesan the moment you toss them in the garlic butter.
- Low-Sodium or Dairy-Free: Use unsalted butter and adjust seasonings to taste—or swap in vegan butter if needed.
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. This little step is huge for ensuring the steaks instantly sizzle and caramelize instead of steaming—hot basket, happy steak!
Step 2: Season the Steak Bites
Toss your ribeye pieces in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix really well—your hands are the best tool here—to ensure every single cube is glistening and coated with flavor.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Arrange the seasoned steak bites in a single, uncrowded layer in the air fryer basket; no pre-greasing needed. Cook for 4–6 minutes (5 minutes is my sweet spot for medium-rare)—remember, the bites will finish cooking in the butter sauce!
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
While the steak bites are in the air fryer, melt the butter in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté about 30 seconds, just until fragrant (no browning). Stir in the fresh parsley.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
When the steak bites are ready, quickly add them to the skillet with your garlicky butter. Toss for just a minute to coat and let the flavors mingle—then serve immediately, hot and glistening!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Go for Even Cubes: Cut your steak into similarly sized bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking—this is the secret to those perfectly juicy, tender results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give each steak bite its space—if needed, cook in batches so you get gorgeous browning instead of steaming.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: For steakhouse-level results, check for an internal temp of 135°F (medium-rare), especially if you’re picky about doneness.
- Carryover Cooking Counts: Remember, the steak will continue to cook as you finish it in the hot garlic butter—aim a little under your final temp in the air fryer for perfect results.
How to Serve Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garnishes
For a fresh, vibrant touch, sprinkle the finished steak bites with extra chopped fresh parsley. If you’re craving more richness, a dusting of flaky sea salt or a shower of grated Parmesan takes things over the top!
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are dreamy with creamy mashed potatoes, buttery rice pilaf, or fluffy dinner rolls to mop up every drop of sauce. Pair with roasted or steamed veggies—crisp green beans, asparagus, even classic Caesar salad—for balance and color.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these steak bites on appetizer skewers at a party, piled over toast as sliders, or scattered atop a big green salad for an easy, protein-packed dinner bowl. They even make epic steak tacos if you’re feeling adventurous!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer cooled steak bites (and every drop of that buttery sauce!) into an airtight container. Chill in the fridge for up to 3 days for easy meal prep or next-day snacking.
Freezing
Steak bites freeze beautifully—just spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze individually, then store in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently in a hot skillet with a dab of extra butter; you can also pop them in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 350°F. Avoid the microwave if possible—it can dry out the steak.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of steak?
Absolutely! While ribeye gives you juicy, flavorful results, sirloin or New York strip also work beautifully—just choose a well-marbled steak for best tenderness and flavor. Just be sure to adjust cook time depending on steak thickness.
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Do I need to flip the steak bites while air frying?
Not at all—one of the joys of this recipe is how even the air fryer cooks without flipping! Just make sure the steak bites are in a single, even layer for uniform results.
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Can I prep the garlic butter sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! You can melt the butter and stir in garlic and parsley, then refrigerate until ready to use. Simply rewarm gently before tossing with your Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites.
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How do I know when the steak bites are done?
Check with a thermometer—135°F for juicy medium-rare. Remember, they’ll finish cooking in the butter sauce, so it’s okay to pull them when just shy of your final desired doneness.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something wildly satisfying about a batch of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites—from their garlicky sizzle to that tender, buttery finish. If you’re ready for an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that never fails to impress, give these steak bites a try. Trust me, your taste buds (and maybe your family) will thank you!
Print
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Air Frying
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tender and flavorful, these Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a quick and easy way to enjoy juicy bites of steak with a delicious garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Steak Bites:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless ribeye steaks, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Butter Sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the steak: In a large bowl, combine steak, olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss to coat.
- Cook the steak in the air fryer: Place the steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4-6 minutes until cooked to your liking.
- Make the butter sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in parsley.
- Combine steak and sauce: Add the cooked steak bites to the skillet with the butter sauce. Toss to coat for about a minute.
- Serve: Serve the steak bites immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
