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A plate of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites garnished with chopped parsley, with a serving spoon resting on the side.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Mandy Applegate
I love making these Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites whenever I want something rich, hearty, and on the table fast. Sirloin steak pieces get seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then air fried until browned and juicy before garlic butter is melted right over them in the basket. Every bite is tender, garlicky, and buttery with a beautiful sear and incredible depth of flavor. They're great for busy weeknights, date nights, and game day spreads when you want something special without the fuss. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Air Fryer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound sirloin steak cut into small bite-sized pieces (about 1-1 ½” chunks)
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • Fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Start by placing the bite-sized sirloin steak pieces in a large bowl and patting them dry with a paper towel to help them sear properly.
    1 pound sirloin steak
  • In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then sprinkle the seasoning over the steak and toss to coat evenly.
    Salt and pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Line your air fryer basket for easier cleanup, then arrange the steak bites in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, flip the pieces, and cook for another 6 minutes until browned and just cooked through.
  • Add the butter and minced garlic directly over the steak in the basket, then cook for an additional 3 minutes to melt the butter and infuse the steak with garlicky flavor. Add olive oil if needed.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 cloves garlic, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Toss the bites gently to coat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with your favorite sides.
    Fresh parsley

Notes

Here are a few tips to help you get the best results every time.
  • Pat the steak completely dry: Removing surface moisture before seasoning is key to getting a proper sear in the air fryer instead of steaming.
  • Cut pieces to a consistent size: Aim for 1 to 1½-inch chunks so every piece cooks at the same rate, and nothing ends up overdone.
  • Don't skip lining the basket: A liner catches the butter and drippings, making cleanup much faster without affecting the cook.
  • Avoid overcrowding: Arrange steak bites in a single layer, leaving space between them so hot air can circulate and brown each piece evenly.
  • Add garlic butter at the end: Putting butter and garlic directly on the hot steak for the final 3 minutes prevents the garlic from burning while still infusing every bite with flavor.
  • Flash freeze for meal prep: Spread cooled leftovers on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag so the pieces don't clump together.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 17gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 44mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
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