Super Easy Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter

Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter is a dish you need in your life. This recipe is perfect for those who love juicy, tender steak bites topped with delicious Cowboy Butter sauce. Drool-worthy!

If you are looking for a delicious meal that is effortless, quick, and easy to clean up, this is one of the best air fryer recipes you can find! Steak Bites in Air Fryer is a game changer. Less mess, more flavor! 

This was inspired by my other recipe Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks and pairs well with my amazing side dish Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe for a complete meal. 

Jump to:

• Why you will love this dish
• What you need for Air Fryer Steak Bites
• How to make Air Fryer Steak Bites
• How long to cook steak bites in air fryer?
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• How to store and reheat air fryer steak bites
• 3 Top Tips for Success
• FAQ
• Related
• Pairing
• Super Easy Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter
• Food safety

Why you will love this dish

• Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly cooked steak bite-sized pieces in no time. The air fryer makes cooking quick and easy, while the seasoning mix and cowboy butter sauce add a burst of flavor that’s sure to impress.
  
• Versatile: This easy steak bites recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a tasty appetizer or a main course. You can easily adjust the seasoning mix to suit your taste, and the cowboy butter sauce can be used on a variety of other dishes as well.
  
• Delicious: The combination of juicy air fryer steak bites and flavorful steak sauce is a match made in heaven. The spice mix adds just the right amount of kick, while the honey and dijon mustard in the sauce create a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
  
• Easy clean up: No need to clean the stove top from grease, or fire up the barbeque. This simple air fryer steak bites is a really quick and easy recipe that can put dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.

What you need for Air Fryer Steak Bites

• Spice mix. I use Hys Seasoning Salt. 
• Grapeseed oil

Cowboy Butter

• Salted butter
• Shallot 
• Green onion
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Red chili flakes
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Air Fryer Steak Bites

Here are the step-by-step instructions

• COWBOY BUTTER SAUCE. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. 
• Add the shallot, green onion, garlic, dijon mustard, red chili flakes, smoked paprika and black pepper. 
• Taste the sauce and season if it needs more salt. 
• AIR FRYER STEAK BITES. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for at least 5 minutes. 
• In a large bowl, add the seasoning spice, grapeseed oil and sirloin steak pieces. Mix well. 
• Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket, You should hear a sizzle. This will give the steak bites a nice sear. 
• Do not overcrowd the steaks. 
• Broil at 400 degrees for 4 minutes on each side. 

How long to cook steak bites in air fryer?

4 minutes on each side is my magic number. You have to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees to achieve a nice crust on the outside while leaving the inside medium rare.

If you have a broil setting, use that. It does not take long to cook steak bites in the air fryer.

Substitutions

Beef Top Sirloin substitutions:

• Beef tenderloin: A very tender cut of beef that is often used for steaks. It is more expensive than top sirloin but has a similar tenderness and flavor.
• Ribeye: Another popular cut of steak that is known for its marbling and tenderness. It has a slightly different flavor than top sirloin but is still a great choice for steak cubes or bites.
• Flank steak: A leaner cut of beef that is often used for fajitas and stir-fries. It is less tender than top sirloin, but can still be used in this recipe if sliced thinly against the grain.
• Skirt steak: A flavorful cut of beef that is often used in tacos and other Mexican dishes. It is also less tender than top sirloin but like flank steak, it works best in this easy air fryer steak recipe if sliced thinly against the grain.
• Sirloin tip: A lean cut of beef that is often used for roasts and stews. It is less tender than top sirloin, but make sure to slice it thinly against the grain to make the perfect air fryer steak bites.

Other ingredients:

• Spice mix: You can use any seasoning mix of your choice, such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, or Italian seasoning.
  
• Grapeseed oil: You can substitute grapeseed oil with any other oil that has a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.

• Salted butter: You can use unsalted melted butter and add a pinch of salt to the cowboy butter sauce.
  
• Shallot: If you don't have shallots, you can use finely chopped onion instead.

• Dijon mustard: You can use whole grain mustard, yellow mustard, or spicy mustard.

• Minced garlic: You can use garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder flavor.

• Red chili flakes: You can use cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce.

• Smoked paprika: You can use regular paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky flavor.
  
• Black pepper: You can use white pepper or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.

Variations

By making these simple adjustments, you can make the Air Fryer Garlic Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter recipe dairy-free and more kid-friendly, while still keeping the delicious flavors of this easy air fryer recipe.

1. Dairy-free butter: Instead of using regular butter in the cowboy butter sauce, use a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or margarine.
   
2. Garlic oil: Instead of minced garlic, use garlic-infused oil or roasted garlic oil to add flavor to the cowboy butter sauce.
   
3. Honey-mustard sauce: Replace the delicious garlic butter sauce with a kid-friendly honey-mustard dipping sauce. Mix together honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt to taste.
   
4. Seasoning: For a kid-friendly seasoning, you can use a simple dry rub of salt, black pepper, oil and garlic powder.

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Bowl

How to store and reheat air fryer steak bites

To store the Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

To reheat the steak bites, there are a few options:

1. Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover steak bites in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
   
2. Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the steak bites in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
   
3. Microwave: Place the steak bites in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
   

Note: Reheating the steak bites may cause them to become slightly overcooked, so be careful not to overheat them.

Also, it is not recommended to reheat the cowboy butter sauce, as it may separate and become oily. If you want to use the sauce again, it's best to make a fresh batch.

FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with steak bites in air fryer:

Print

Food safety

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.