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.
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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
Combine oil, spices and steak cubes into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Make the cowboy butter sauce
Steak bites in air fryer!
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.
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.
- Dairy-free butter: Instead of using regular butter in the cowboy butter sauce, use a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or margarine.
- Garlic oil: Instead of minced garlic, use garlic-infused oil or roasted garlic oil to add flavor to the cowboy butter sauce.
- 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.
- Seasoning: For a kid-friendly seasoning, you can use a simple dry rub of salt, black pepper, oil and garlic powder.
Equipment
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
3 Top Tips for Success
- Use a meat thermometer: It’s essential to cook the steak bites to the right temperature to ensure they are tender and juicy. For medium-rare, cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C). For medium, cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: Overcrowding the basket can cause the air fryer steak tips to steam instead of getting a nice sear. This can result in a less crispy and flavorful crust. It’s best to cook the steak bites in batches if necessary.
- Let the steak bites rest: After cooking the steak bites, it’s important to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a more tender and flavorful steak bite. Tent the cooked steak bites with foil to keep them warm and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly cooked and delicious Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter every time!
FAQ
Air fry the steak bites at 400°F for 3 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. The total cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the steak bites and the size of your air fryer.
Yes, you can cook raw steak in an air fryer. Air frying is a quick and efficient method of cooking steak, and it results in a tender and flavorful piece of meat. Just make sure to cook the steak to the appropriate internal temperature for safe consumption.
Overcooking the steak or cooking it at too low a temperature can make it chewy in an air fryer. It’s also essential to let the steak rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and flavorful steak.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with steak bites in air fryer:
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 and delicious Cowboy Butter sauce. Drool-worthy!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Ingredients
Steak Bites
2 lbs top sirloin cut into 2” cubes
1 tablespoon of your favorite spice mix. I use Hys Seasoning Salt.
1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil
Cowboy Butter
1 cup of salted butter
1 shallot minced
2 stalks of green onion, minced
2 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
½ teaspoon of red chilli flakes
½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
¼ tsp of black pepper
Instructions
- COWBOY BUTTER SAUCE. In a small saucepan, melt the butter.
- Add the shallot, green onion, garlic, dijon mustard, red chilli 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.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 4 minutes on each side.
Notes
- Make sure the steak bites are at room temperature
- Use a meat thermometer
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket
- Let the steak bites rest
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: mains
- Method: air fry
Keywords: air fryer steak bites, steak bites air fryer, steak bites in air fryer
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
Loraine Dickson
Love Steak Bites and these are unreal! I’d never had cowboy butter before, but it was very good! I cooked it in the airfryer and it turned out so tender and juicy. Will definitely make this again.
Carmen
Thank you so much. I love this recipe too.