Need more fun options for protein during the week that are easy and delicious? Try these juicy, herby, and savory air fryer steak bites. They’re super easy to make during the week, and you can customize the marinade based on what you have in your spice cabinet.
These air fryer steak bites are full of flavor and protein for the days you need a quick meal.
Best cuts of beef to use for steak bites
I love eating ribeye, so I used this cut to make air fryer steak bites. The best rule for most steak recipes I make is to use cuts of beef with flavor you like. Ribeye is a fattier cut, so if you want something more lean, you can also use strip steak or sirloin.
I would avoid tough cuts like chuck or flank steak because they will be too chewy without low and slow cooking. I typically prefer boneless steaks and precut to about 1-2 inches in thickness for easy cutting. I also look for grass-fed beef for better nutrition and to avoid added hormones.
Do you need to rinse steak cubes before cooking?
I abide by USDA rules, which state you don’t need to rinse steak cubes (along with other meats and poultry) before cooking. You can wash them with water to remove any potential debris, but it’s unnecessary.
To prep the steaks, I simply take them out of the packaging and use paper towels to pat them dry. Then, I cut the steak into cubes before marinating.
Ingredients in steak bite marinade
You can (and should) use the spices and herbs you have at home to season your steak. Making the marinade is the most exciting part because you can mix and add different flavors. The most important part is allowing these flavors to infuse into the steak for at least 20 minutes on the counter before air frying.
For this recipe, I used a blend of herbs and spices that will give you very savory and well-seasoned bites of steak:
- soy sauce
- olive oil
- kosher salt
- garlic powder
- dark brown sugar
- onion powder
- oregano
- rubbed sage
- smoked paprika
Here are other options for steak marinade and seasoning:
- Garlic and melted butter with Italian seasoning
- Lemon and Worcestershire sauce with red chili pepper flakes
- Five-spice with rice wine vinegar and brown sugar
How to make steak bites tender
Don’t know what to do if the steak bites are chewy? If you’ve selected a proper cut of beef and done the proper marinade recipe and marinade time, then main culprit is usually overcooking them. The best way to prevent overcooking is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature as you cook.
If you like medium doneness, take them out from the oven when they reach 125-130 °F and tent them for 10 minutes before cutting to keep the juiciness.
Certified Angus Beef lists the temperatures for each doneness:
- Rare: 125 °F
- Medium rare: 135 °F
- Medium: 145 °F
- Medium well: 150 °F
- Well done: 160 °F
Note: USDA states that the minimum safe temperature to cook beef is 145 °F with an additional rest time of three minutes.
How long to cook steak bites in an air fryer
These steak bites cook quickly, especially in an air fryer. For one-inch thick steak bites, air fry them at 400 °F for six minutes and check their internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Once it reaches 125-130 °F, pull them and cover them with a foil tent for about 10 minutes to finish cooking and resting. This timing will get you medium doneness. If you prefer a different doneness level, reduce or add by one minute.
I used a toaster oven air fryer, so I didn’t need to flip the steak bites halfway; however, if you have a traditional basket drawer air fryer, you will need to turn them so they get seared on both sides.
Side dishes to serve with steak bites
While these steak bites are utterly delicious by themselves, I love eating them with some side dishes and serving them as a more complete meal. Some easy side dishes for a balanced meal are:
- mashed potatoes
- steamed broccoli
- roasted Brussels sprouts
- easy buttery, seasoned rice
- grilled corn on the cob
The seasoning for these steak bites is my favorite, but if you need a little sauce, I recommend boredelaise sauce, chimichurri, or a simple garlic butter sauce.
Refrigerating and reheating steak bites
You can refrigerate the air fryer steak bites for up to three days and reheat them just before eating; however, the more you reheat them, the more they will overcook and dry out. Use the microwave to reheat the bites in 30-second increments until hot to prevent overcooking them.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 10 oz steak ribeye, sirloin, or other cuts and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt Diamond Crystal brand
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dark brown sugar
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried rubbed sage
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Equipment Used
- paper towels
- knife and cutting board
- measuring spoons and cups
- mixing bowl
- air fryer
- tongs
- tin foil
Instructions
- Pat dry the 10 oz steak with paper towels.
- Cut the 10 oz steak into one-inch, even cubes.
- In a mixing bowl combine the 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dark brown sugar, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp dried rubbed sage, and ¼ tsp smoked paprika. Use a whisk to thoroughly incorporate all the ingredients.
- Add the cubed steak pieces and toss until all sides are coated. Let this marinate on the counter for 10 minutes, mix to ensure even coating then marinate for another 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F. If you’re using an air fryer toaster oven, place a sheet rack on the bottom of the basket to catch any drippings.
- Place the marinated steak cubes on the air fryer basket in an even layer with at least ½ inch space in between each cube. Air fry for 6-7 minutes for medium doneness.
- Use an instant-read thermometer, test the temperature and when it reads 130 °F in the center of the largest piece of steak, transfer all the steak onto a plate and cover with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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Hi Huy! I saw this recipe and had to let you know. I discovered thick soy sauce from your recipe and it is THE best ingredient I have ever used. My favorite use is to marinade steak bites in it and then air fry. I make large chunks because I like medium rare, but it doesn’t matter, it compliments the steak perfectly and the air fryer cooks it up nicely! I hope you try it! Thanks for all the great recipes! PS I use your grilled pork marinade for shrimp and it is also PERFECTION!