Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

I love my Airfryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites. I started with bite-sized sirloin cubes seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic and onion powders, then tossed them with melted butter, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. A hint of crushed red pepper adds just enough kick to keep things interesting.

A photo of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

I just tried something new and I gotta say, these Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites really blew my mind. I started with 1 lb of steak, either sirloin or ribeye, cut into bite size cubes and seasoned them with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder.

Then I mixed in 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves which created this mouthwatering garlic butter sauce on every bite. Cooking these in the air fryer made them perfectly tender without the extra oil.

I even sprinkled a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over them and tossed in an optional pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you’re into that slight kick. This recipe reminded me of some other great dishes like instapot garlic butter steak bites or air fryer teriyaki steak bites but with its own unique twist that drew me in right away.

Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it gives me a ton of flavor with the garlic butter sauce. There’s just something amazing about how the steak bites get covered in that garlicky melted butter and the mix of spices really makes the meat taste bold.

I also appreciate the fact that it’s super easy to prepare in an air fryer. Even on days when I’m feeling lazy, I can have an awesome meal on the table in no time, which is a huge win for me.

Another reason i like it is that it manages to turn a simple steak into something really special. The combination of garlic, butter, and a touch of red pepper flakes makes every bite feel like a little treat, making it totally perfect for a quick dinner.

Lastly, it’s fun to cook because every step feels like a cool hack – from seasoning the steak to tossing it in the air fryer at just the right time. It really feels like i’m mastering a tasty cooking technique without too much fuss.

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

  • Steak: Full of protein and iron, its great for muscle repair and energy.
  • Salt: Enhances flavors and balances taste with essential minerals.
  • Black Pepper: Adds heat and depth, giving it a tasty kick.
  • Garlic Powder: Packed with flavor, it makes every bite deliciously savory.
  • Onion Powder: Provides a mild, sweet essence that compliments the meat well.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth mouthfeel, balancing strong flavors.
  • Garlic Cloves: Intensely aromatic, its the heart of the garlic butter taste.
  • Parsley: Fresh and vibrant, it adds color and a subtle herbal note.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Provide a slight burn, giving the dish a bold edge.

Ingredient Quantities

  • 1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye) cut into bite sized cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (more if you need)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional pinch crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F so it’s nice and hot before you start cookin.

2. Cut the steak into bite sized cubes and put them into a bowl.

3. Season the steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder. Mix everything real good.

4. Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter over the steak and toss so they are all evenly coated.

5. Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer; don’t overcrowd them.

6. Air fry the steak bites for about 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to get an even cook.

7. While the steak cooks, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

8. Add the 4 minced garlic cloves to the butter and let them cook gently for about a minute until they start smelling amazing.

9. Once the steak bites are done, transfer them to a serving bowl and pour the garlicky butter sauce over top.

10. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little extra kick, then serve immediately and enjoy.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with its basket
2. Sharp knife for cutting the steak
3. Cutting board
4. Mixing bowl for tossing the steak with spices and melted butter
5. Measuring spoons for the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
6. Small saucepan for melting the extra butter and garlic
7. Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring in the saucepan
8. Serving bowl to place the finished steak bites

FAQ

Sure, you can use flank steak or even tenderloin if you want but just know that cook times might change a bit.

Nah, there's no need to marinate the steak. Just season it right before cooking so the flavors really come out.

It's best to toss the steak bites with melted butter and garlic after they're done cooking. That way, the garlic flavor stays fresh and doesn’t burn.

Yes, you can but then you might want to reduce the extra salt in the recipe, so it doesn't get too salty.

You can use a meat thermometer if you have one or just cut a small piece to see if it’s cooked to your liking. Keep in mind that these bites cook quick so it can be really fast!

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • If you cant find ribeye or sirloin, you can use chicken breast or pork tenderloin cut into cubes. Some people even use firm tofu for a vegetarian twist.
  • You can substitute regular salt with sea salt or kosher salt if that’s what you have at home.
  • If you dont have unsalted butter, try using ghee or even a good olive oil—they add a nice flavor too.
  • Instead of garlic powder, you can double the amount of fresh minced garlic for a punchier taste, or vice versa.
  • Don’t have fresh parsley? Dried parsley or even a bit of basil works in a pinch.

Pro Tips

1. Pre-heat your air fryer really well and don’t skimp on letting it run for a few minutes if it doesn’t have a set preheat button, cause a hot fryer means a better sear on the meat.
2. Don’t crowd your basket at all; if the steak pieces are too close they might steam instead of crisp so give them room to move around a bit.
3. Let your seasoned steak sit for like 10 minutes before cooking if you got the time, it helps the flavors really sink in.
4. When making that garlicky butter, cook the garlic on low heat and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn, cause burnt garlic can taste bitter and mess up the whole dish.

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Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

My favorite Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Equipment Needed:

1. Air fryer with its basket
2. Sharp knife for cutting the steak
3. Cutting board
4. Mixing bowl for tossing the steak with spices and melted butter
5. Measuring spoons for the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
6. Small saucepan for melting the extra butter and garlic
7. Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring in the saucepan
8. Serving bowl to place the finished steak bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb steak (sirloin or ribeye) cut into bite sized cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (more if you need)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional pinch crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F so it’s nice and hot before you start cookin.

2. Cut the steak into bite sized cubes and put them into a bowl.

3. Season the steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder. Mix everything real good.

4. Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter over the steak and toss so they are all evenly coated.

5. Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer; don’t overcrowd them.

6. Air fry the steak bites for about 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to get an even cook.

7. While the steak cooks, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

8. Add the 4 minced garlic cloves to the butter and let them cook gently for about a minute until they start smelling amazing.

9. Once the steak bites are done, transfer them to a serving bowl and pour the garlicky butter sauce over top.

10. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little extra kick, then serve immediately and enjoy.