Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are a delightful treat that you can whip up quickly for any occasion. Perfect as an appetizer or a satisfying main course, these tender cubes of top sirloin cooked in an air fryer and generously drizzled with garlic butter will impress your family and friends. The combination of savory flavors and the ease of preparation makes this dish a standout choice for both casual dinners and special gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Cooking Time: Ready in just 16 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Flavor Explosion: The garlic butter adds a rich, savory taste that elevates the steak bites.
- Versatile Serving Options: Great as an appetizer or paired with side dishes like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.
- Healthy Preparation: Using an air fryer means less oil is required, resulting in a lighter meal without sacrificing flavor.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with easily accessible ingredients, this recipe won’t break the bank or require a trip to specialty stores.
Tools and Preparation
To make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites, you’ll need some essential kitchen tools to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Air fryer
- Medium bowl
- Small saucepan
- Measuring spoons
Why These Tools Matter
- Air fryer: Provides quick and even cooking while using less oil than traditional frying methods.
- Medium bowl: Ideal for mixing your steak cubes with oil and seasoning before cooking.
- Small saucepan: Necessary for preparing the garlic butter that will coat your delicious steak bites.
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 1 pound top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (feel free to trim steak of excess fat)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced, plus extra to chop for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This ensures that your steak bites cook evenly and get that perfect sear.
Step 2: Season the Steak
In a medium bowl, combine the cubed steak with vegetable oil. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss until all pieces are well coated.
Step 3: Cook the Steak Bites
Place the seasoned steak cubes in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Depending on your air fryer’s capacity, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach your desired level of doneness.
Step 4: Prepare Garlic Butter
While the steak is cooking, prepare the garlic butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in chopped parsley and black pepper.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Once the steak bites are done cooking, transfer them to the saucepan with garlic butter. Toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot!
How to Serve Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether as an appetizer or a main course, these flavorful bites can be paired with a variety of dishes to enhance your dining experience.
Serve as Appetizers
- Skewers: Thread the steak bites onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and bell peppers for a colorful presentation.
- Mini Sliders: Serve steak bites on small buns with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of garlic sauce.
- Dipping Sauces: Pair them with sauces like ranch, chimichurri, or spicy mayo for added flavor.
Pair with Side Dishes
- Mashed Potatoes: The creaminess of mashed potatoes complements the richness of the garlic butter steak bites perfectly.
- Grilled Vegetables: A medley of grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus adds freshness and color to your plate.
- Caesar Salad: A crisp Caesar salad provides a nice contrast to the hearty steak bites.
Create a Full Meal
- Rice Pilaf: Serve over seasoned rice pilaf for a satisfying and filling meal.
- Pasta Salad: A cold pasta salad with veggies is a refreshing side that balances the warmth of the steak bites.
How to Perfect Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
To achieve perfectly cooked Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites, consider these helpful tips:
- Bold seasoning: Don’t skimp on salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the steak.
- Bold uniformity: Cut steak into uniform cubes for even cooking throughout.
- Bold doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure you reach your preferred doneness—medium-rare is usually ideal at 135°F.
- Bold resting time: Let the cooked steak rest for a few minutes before serving; this helps retain its juices.
- Bold batch cooking: If making large quantities, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Best Side Dishes for Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Complement your Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with these delicious side dishes that enhance the meal’s overall flavor profile.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes infused with garlic make a perfect match for the savory steak bites.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These caramelized sprouts add a crunchy texture and earthy flavor that pairs beautifully.
- Creamed Spinach: This rich side dish features tender spinach in a creamy sauce, balancing out the meal’s richness.
- Baked Sweet Potatoes: The sweetness of baked sweet potatoes contrasts nicely with savory steak bites, providing nutritional benefits too.
- Coleslaw: A crunchy coleslaw adds freshness and tanginess that cuts through the richness of the garlic butter.
- Quinoa Salad: Light and nutritious quinoa salad mixed with fresh vegetables offers a healthy complement to your meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites, avoiding common pitfalls ensures a delicious outcome.
- Bold seasoning: Not seasoning the steak properly can lead to bland bites. Always season generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
- Bold overcrowding: Filling the air fryer basket too much prevents even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
- Bold ignoring doneness: Cooking without checking doneness can result in overcooked or undercooked steak. Use a meat thermometer to achieve your desired level of doneness.
- Bold skipping the garlic butter: Neglecting the garlic butter sauce means missing out on flavor. Make sure to prepare and coat the steak bites generously.
- Bold not resting the meat: Cutting into the steak immediately after cooking can make it dry. Let it rest for a few minutes for juicier bites.
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container.
- They will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Place cooled steak bites in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Bold Oven: Preheat to 350°F and reheat for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
- Bold Microwave: Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid drying out.
- Bold Stovetop: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites?
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender cubes of beef cooked quickly in an air fryer and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, making them perfect as an appetizer or main dish.
How do I know when my steak is done?
Using a meat thermometer is key. Aim for 125°F for medium-rare, 135°F for medium, and 145°F for medium-well.
Can I use other meats instead of beef?
Yes! Chicken, turkey, or lamb can also be used for this recipe, providing different flavors and textures while still being delicious.
What sides pair well with Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites?
These steak bites pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are not only flavorful but also quick and easy to prepare. This versatile recipe allows you to customize the seasoning and sides according to your taste. Try it today and enjoy these tender morsels that are sure to impress!
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the mouthwatering delight of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites, a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for any occasion! These tender cubes of beef are seasoned to perfection and cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a juicy, flavorful bite that will leave your guests wanting more. Drizzled with a rich garlic butter sauce, these steak bites serve as an excellent appetizer or a satisfying main course. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a cozy family meal, this recipe is sure to impress. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up this gourmet treat in no time!
Ingredients
- 1 pound top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cubed beef with vegetable oil, kosher salt, and black pepper until well coated.
- Place the seasoned beef cubes in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through until desired doneness is reached.
- Meanwhile, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in parsley and black pepper.
- Once cooked, toss the beef bites in the garlic butter sauce until thoroughly coated. Serve immediately garnished with additional parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer/Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces (113g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
