Tender steak bites with a browned crust and a garlic butter finish, cooked in under ten minutes. The trick is a hot air fryer, dry meat and a single layer so they sear rather than steam. Pile them next to fries or mash for an easy steak dinner.
Everything you need
- 450 g sirloin or ribeye, cut into 3 cm cubes
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste salt and pepper
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 5 done-
Pat the steak cubes really dry, then toss with the oil, paprika, salt and pepper.
For this step
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- to taste salt and pepper
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F. Spread the steak in a single layer with space around each piece.
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Air fry for 6 to 9 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned outside and cooked to your liking.
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Mix the melted butter with the garlic.
For this step
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic
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Toss the hot steak in the garlic butter and parsley, then serve straight away.
For this step
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Dry meat browns, wet meat steams. Pat the cubes really dry before seasoning.
- Do not crowd the basket. Cook in two batches if it's small, so the steak sears.
Make it your own
- Add a handful of halved mushrooms for the last 5 minutes.
- Finish with crumbled blue cheese or a spoon of chimichurri.
Storing & reheating
Keeps 2 days in the fridge. Reheat briefly so the steak doesn't overcook.
Frequently asked
What cut is best for steak bites?
Tender cuts like sirloin, ribeye or tenderloin. Cube them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
How do I keep them medium-rare?
Check early, around 6 minutes, since air fryers vary. Small cubes go from pink to well done quickly.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.