Air Fryer Steak Bites

Before You Begin

• ✱Recipe makes 3 servings (18-24 steak bites) with garlic powder for savory depth
• ✱Sirloin is budget-friendly and lean - ribeye has more marbling and flavor
• ✱Every air fryer cooks differently - check at 6 minutes your first time

Ingredients

• •1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak(1 inch thick)
• •2 tbsp beef tallow or ghee(melted)
• •1.5 tsp coarse sea salt
• •1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
• •1/2 tsp garlic powder
• •3 tbsp grass-fed butter
• •1 tsp flaky finishing salt(Maldon or fleur de sel)

Directions

1. 1

   Bring steak to room temperature: Remove your steak from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes. Cold steak cooks unevenly, with a cold center and overcooked exterior. Pat the steak completely dry with paper towels - any surface moisture will steam the meat instead of creating that beautiful caramelized crust.

2. 2

   Cut steak into uniform cubes: Place your steak on a cutting board. Trim off any large pieces of external fat. Cut the steak into 1-inch cubes, being as precise as possible. Uniform size is everything - inconsistent pieces mean some will be overcooked while others are underdone. You should get about 18-24 bites from 1.5 lbs of steak.

3. 3

   Season the steak bites: Place the steak cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle the melted beef tallow or ghee over them. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss everything together for 30 seconds, making sure every cube is evenly coated. The garlic powder adds savory depth while the tallow seals in juices.

4. 4

   Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for a full 5 minutes with the empty basket inside. A properly preheated air fryer creates immediate searing contact, giving you that restaurant-quality crust with caramelized garlic notes.

5. 5

   Arrange steak bites in basket: Once preheated, carefully open your air fryer. Arrange the steak bites in a single layer in the basket with space between each piece. Don't let them touch - they need air circulation. If your basket isn't big enough, cook in two batches.

6. 6

   Air fry the steak bites: Set your timer for 6 minutes for medium-rare, 7 minutes for medium, or 8 minutes for medium-well. Don't open the air fryer during cooking. At exactly the 4-minute mark, quickly pull out the basket and use tongs to flip each piece. This ensures even browning and garlic caramelization on all sides.

7. 7

   Check for doneness: When the timer goes off, pull out one bite from the center and cut it in half to check. For medium-rare you want a warm red center, medium should be pink throughout. If using a thermometer, 130-135°F is medium-rare, 135-145°F is medium.

8. 8

   Rest the steak bites: Transfer the steak bites to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 full minutes undisturbed. This rest time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Cut too early and all those juices run out onto the plate.

9. 9

   Make the butter topping: While the steak rests, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl for 20-30 seconds. This melted butter will coat each bite with rich, glossy finish and enhance the garlic flavor.

10. 10

    Toss with butter: After the 5-minute rest, transfer the steak bites to a serving bowl. Drizzle the melted butter over the top, then gently toss for about 10 seconds. The butter clings to the garlic-seasoned exterior and makes every bite luxurious.

11. 11

    Finish and serve: Transfer to your serving plate. Sprinkle with flaky finishing salt - the big flaky crystals provide little bursts of salt that elevate the garlic-butter flavor. Serve immediately while still warm.

12. 12

    Storage and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. You can also eat them cold - they make fantastic high-protein snacks.

Nutrition Information