I’m tellin’ you, this recipe for air fryer steak bites legit saved my sanity. Like, I tossed it all in, hit a button, and dinner was done before my youngest spilled juice again. These lil bites are juicy, crispy on the outside, and the fam devoured them. Even my picky middle child was like, “Mom, can you make more meat nuggets?”
We’ve been on a whole kick with air fry recipes lately. Everything from air fried food, quick dinner air fryer meals, even air fryer snacks for after school. And lemme tell you—these easy air fryer steak bites are up there with the best. Whether you’re using sirloin, round steak, or that one mystery cut you forgot you bought, it works. I’ve tried air fryer round steak, air fryer sirloin steak recipes, and even made this into steak bites recipe for lunchboxes. Yes, I’m that mom now.

And if you’ve been Googling how to cook steak in the airfryer or trying to figure out air fryer steak cooking times without burning the dang thing, girl… I got you. This recipe’s got all the vibes of a juicy steak without standing over a pan and pretending you’re not tired.
What You’ll Need

- 1 lb of steak (sirloin, strip, whatever you got)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt + pepper
- Optional: soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce (if you got some)
That’s it. Super simple. These are the kinda Air Fryer Recipes Easy enough even when you’re running on iced coffee and stress.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Steak Bites
Step 1: Cut up the steak

Okay, I usually use sirloin but honestly? I’ve used random cuts before and it still slaps. Just chop it into lil bite-sized pieces. Like… chicken nugget size-ish.
Step 2: Season it up

Throw the steak chunks in a big bowl. Add olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. I don’t really measure, just vibe with it. Sometimes I splash a lil soy sauce in if I’m feelin’ spicy.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a couple mins. It’s not totally needed, but I feel like it makes the steak crispier on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Step 4: Cook it

Put the steak pieces in the air fryer basket in one layer. Don’t overcrowd. I usually cook it for 8–10 mins at 400°F. Shake it halfway through. If you like it more well done, add a couple extra mins.
Step 5: Let it rest
This part’s boring but important. Let the steak bites sit for like 2 mins before eating. Helps the juices settle in. I usually use this time to yell “dinner’s ready” like 3 times while no one listens.
Real Talk From a Tired Mom
- Don’t stress the exact steak cut. I’ve used round steak, sirloin, strip… even that random one on sale. It all works.
- These bites make good leftovers but good luck having any left.
- Add them to salads, wraps, or serve with frozen fries or rice or whatever your kids will actually eat.
- These are way better than standing over a stove while someone’s yelling they’re hungry.
Why You Need This In Your Life
If you’re lookin’ for Quick Dinner Air Fryer recipes or just something that isn’t frozen pizza again, this is the move. It hits all the right boxes: fast, delish, minimal dishes, and my picky middle child didn’t even complain.
These Air Fryer Steak Bites also fit in with other favs like Air Fryer Oven Recipes, Air Fry Steak Recipes, or even just Air Fryer Snacks if you’re into eating steak at 10 pm in silence (me, always).
FAQs About Air Fryer Steak Bites
How long do I cook steak bites in the air fryer?
Usually around 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F. But it depends how thick your steak bites are and how done you like your steak. For juicy steak with crispy edges, I check at 7 minutes and go from there.
What cut of steak works best?
I love using sirloin for air fryer steak bites. It’s affordable and turns out super tender. Strip steak, ribeye, and round steak also work. I’ve done round steak in air fryer recipes a few times, and it’s solid if you slice it right.
Can I cook frozen steak bites in the air fryer?
You can, but they won’t be as juicy. If you’re using frozen steak, add a few extra minutes and make sure they’re spread out so they crisp up right. I recommend thawing for the best results with air fry steak recipes.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yup! These steak bites are perfect for meal prep. I make a big batch and store leftovers in the fridge. Just reheat in the air fryer for a couple minutes to bring that crisp back.
Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe Card

Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak sirloin, strip, or round steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the steak into bite-size pieces
- Toss steak with olive oil and all the seasonings
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes
- Place steak bites in a single layer in air fryer basket
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through
- Check doneness, and air fry 1-2 mins more if needed
- Serve hot and enjoy with your fave sides
This air fryer steak bites recipe has seriously been a lifesaver in my house. It’s fast, easy, and the kids actually eat it without complaining. Total win. I’ve tried this with round steak, sirloin, strip steak—basically whatever’s in the fridge—and every time it turns out like perfect steak with those crispy edges. Kind of like steak nuggets, but grown-up style.
I’ve been trying out more air fry recipes lately, and this one is high up on my list. It fits right in with the best air fryer recipes we’ve done this month. It’s one of those easy quick air fryer meals that you can make when time’s running out and you just need something that works. Whether it’s air fryer steak bites, air fry steak, or even steak airfryer recipe stuff like air fryer crispy beef, it’s all super doable.
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook steak in the airfryer or needed quick dinner air fryer ideas, this one’s a great go-to. My kids love it, I love it, and no one ends up hungry and sad. Win-win. Between school runs, messy floors, and figuring out what’s for dinner every single night, I’ll take any help I can get. This one saves my brain a little.
So if you’re into air fryer recipes snacks, new air fryer recipes, or just trying to master those air fryer steak cooking times, give this a try. From juicy steak to easy air fryer steak bites, it’s got those air fried food vibes we all need sometimes.
Hope your crew loves it like mine does.