Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes

September 28, 2025 by Hazel

Get ready to impress your taste buds with Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes! This dish combines juicy sirloin steak and golden, crispy potatoes, all cooked effortlessly in your air fryer. I’ll guide you through each step, ensuring perfectly cooked steak and mouth-watering flavors. Whether you’re a busy parent or a cooking novice, this recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 large potatoes, diced into small cubes

Seasoning and Garnish

Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Gathering the right ingredients is key to making Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes. Start with fresh sirloin steak. Cut it into bite-sized cubes. This cut of meat is tender and flavorful, perfect for quick cooking.

Next, you’ll need unsalted butter. Melt it and mix it with minced garlic. This garlic butter will coat the steak and infuse it with rich flavor. Garlic brings a punch that pairs well with the meat.

Dried thyme adds a lovely depth. It is earthy and pairs nicely with the steak. Smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor. Its warmth adds complexity to the dish.

For the crispy potatoes, use two large potatoes. Dice them into small cubes to ensure they cook evenly. The smaller the pieces, the crispier they will become.

Don’t forget the seasoning! Salt and pepper are essential to enhance all the flavors. Olive oil is important for the potatoes. It helps them crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Finally, fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness as a garnish.

These ingredients work together to create a delightful meal that shines with flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This mixture is your garlic butter marinade.

Marinating the Steak

Add 1 pound of cubed sirloin steak to the bowl. Toss the steak until it is evenly coated in the garlic butter marinade.
Let the steak marinate for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to soak in.

Cooking the Potatoes and Steak

In another bowl, toss 2 diced large potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are coated.
Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, shake the basket to move the potatoes around for even cooking.
Now, add the marinated steak bites to the air fryer basket with the potatoes. Cook for an additional 7 to 9 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
Once the steak bites are cooked to your desired doneness, remove the basket from the air fryer.
Let the steak bites rest for a minute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Serve immediately with the crispy potatoes.

Tips & Tricks

Perfectly Cooked Steak

For steak bites, I recommend cooking them to medium-rare or medium. Medium-rare gives you a nice juicy bite. If you prefer medium, it still tastes great but will be less juicy. Use a meat thermometer to check. Aim for 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare and 140°F (60°C) for medium.

Resting the steak is very important. After cooking, let the steak sit for at least one minute. This allows the juices to settle inside the meat. If you cut into it right away, those juices will run out. You want to keep that flavor in every bite.

Crispy Potatoes

To get crispy potatoes, follow a few simple tricks. First, cut the potatoes into small cubes. Smaller pieces cook faster and crisp up better. Toss them in olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. This helps the skin become crunchy.

You can also try different seasonings for variety. For a spicy kick, add chili powder. For a herby taste, mix in rosemary or oregano. You can even sprinkle some grated cheese on top during the last few minutes of cooking. This makes the potatoes extra tasty and crispy!

Variations

Alternative Proteins

You can swap the sirloin steak for other proteins. Chicken works great in this recipe. Use bite-sized pieces of chicken breast. Adjust the cooking time to about 12-15 minutes until cooked through.

Shrimp is another tasty option. Use peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook them for about 6-8 minutes. The garlic butter will still shine through with these proteins.

For a vegetarian twist, try mushrooms or tofu. Use hearty mushrooms like portobello or shiitake. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. For tofu, use firm tofu and press it to remove excess water. Cook both for around 10 minutes in the air fryer.

Flavor Enhancements

Adding herbs and spices can take the dish to the next level. Fresh rosemary or oregano can add depth. Toss these in with the garlic butter marinade for extra flavor.

You can also experiment with sauces. A splash of soy sauce can give a savory kick. For a spicy twist, consider adding sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade.

These simple tweaks can elevate your Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes. Enjoy getting creative!

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your steak bites and crispy potatoes fresh, follow these steps:

Cool Down: Let the food cool for about 30 minutes. This prevents steam from building up in the container.
Use Airtight Containers: Store the leftovers in airtight plastic or glass containers. This keeps moisture out and flavors intact.
Refrigerate Quickly: Place the containers in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This helps avoid bacteria growth.
Label and Date: Use a marker to label and date your containers. This helps you keep track of how long they have been stored.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat your steak bites and potatoes, you have a few good options:

Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to heat evenly.
Microwave: Place the food on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. This helps avoid overcooking.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the food on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes.

When reheating, check the steak and potatoes often. You want them warm, not overcooked. Enjoy your delicious meal again!

FAQs

How do I make steak bites tender?

To make steak bites tender, choose the right cut. Sirloin is a great option. You can also marinate the steak. Use acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. This helps break down the meat fibers. For even better results, let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

Can I cook steak bites without an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook steak bites without an air fryer. One option is to use a skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil and sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side. Another option is to bake them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and cook on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes.

What sides pair well with steak bites?

Steak bites go well with many sides. Crispy potatoes are a great choice, as you already know. You can also serve them with steamed veggies, like green beans or broccoli. A fresh salad with a tangy dressing complements the rich flavor of the steak. Consider garlic bread for a nice touch too.

You learned how to make tasty steak bites with crispy potatoes. Using simple ingredients, you can create a delightful dish. Marinating the steak adds great flavor. Remember to let the steak rest for best results. Feel free to try different proteins and seasonings to suit your taste. Proper storage and reheating keep leftovers enjoyable. Enjoy experimenting and sharing this meal with friends and family!

$- 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 2 large potatoes, diced into small cubes - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Gathering the right ingredients is key to making Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes. Start with fresh sirloin steak. Cut it into bite-sized cubes. This cut of meat is tender and flavorful, perfect for quick cooking. Next, you'll need unsalted butter. Melt it and mix it with minced garlic. This garlic butter will coat the steak and infuse it with rich flavor. Garlic brings a punch that pairs well with the meat. Dried thyme adds a lovely depth. It is earthy and pairs nicely with the steak. Smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor. Its warmth adds complexity to the dish. For the crispy potatoes, use two large potatoes. Dice them into small cubes to ensure they cook evenly. The smaller the pieces, the crispier they will become. Don’t forget the seasoning! Salt and pepper are essential to enhance all the flavors. Olive oil is important for the potatoes. It helps them crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Finally, fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness as a garnish. These ingredients work together to create a delightful meal that shines with flavor. - Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). - In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This mixture is your garlic butter marinade. - Add 1 pound of cubed sirloin steak to the bowl. Toss the steak until it is evenly coated in the garlic butter marinade. - Let the steak marinate for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to soak in. - In another bowl, toss 2 diced large potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are coated. - Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes. - After 10 minutes, shake the basket to move the potatoes around for even cooking. - Now, add the marinated steak bites to the air fryer basket with the potatoes. Cook for an additional 7 to 9 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even crispiness. - Once the steak bites are cooked to your desired doneness, remove the basket from the air fryer. - Let the steak bites rest for a minute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. - Serve immediately with the crispy potatoes. For steak bites, I recommend cooking them to medium-rare or medium. Medium-rare gives you a nice juicy bite. If you prefer medium, it still tastes great but will be less juicy. Use a meat thermometer to check. Aim for 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare and 140°F (60°C) for medium. Resting the steak is very important. After cooking, let the steak sit for at least one minute. This allows the juices to settle inside the meat. If you cut into it right away, those juices will run out. You want to keep that flavor in every bite. To get crispy potatoes, follow a few simple tricks. First, cut the potatoes into small cubes. Smaller pieces cook faster and crisp up better. Toss them in olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. This helps the skin become crunchy. You can also try different seasonings for variety. For a spicy kick, add chili powder. For a herby taste, mix in rosemary or oregano. You can even sprinkle some grated cheese on top during the last few minutes of cooking. This makes the potatoes extra tasty and crispy! {{image_2}} You can swap the sirloin steak for other proteins. Chicken works great in this recipe. Use bite-sized pieces of chicken breast. Adjust the cooking time to about 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Shrimp is another tasty option. Use peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook them for about 6-8 minutes. The garlic butter will still shine through with these proteins. For a vegetarian twist, try mushrooms or tofu. Use hearty mushrooms like portobello or shiitake. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. For tofu, use firm tofu and press it to remove excess water. Cook both for around 10 minutes in the air fryer. Adding herbs and spices can take the dish to the next level. Fresh rosemary or oregano can add depth. Toss these in with the garlic butter marinade for extra flavor. You can also experiment with sauces. A splash of soy sauce can give a savory kick. For a spicy twist, consider adding sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade. These simple tweaks can elevate your Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Crispy Potatoes. Enjoy getting creative! To keep your steak bites and crispy potatoes fresh, follow these steps: - Cool Down: Let the food cool for about 30 minutes. This prevents steam from building up in the container. - Use Airtight Containers: Store the leftovers in airtight plastic or glass containers. This keeps moisture out and flavors intact. - Refrigerate Quickly: Place the containers in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This helps avoid bacteria growth. - Label and Date: Use a marker to label and date your containers. This helps you keep track of how long they have been stored. To reheat your steak bites and potatoes, you have a few good options: - Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to heat evenly. - Microwave: Place the food on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. This helps avoid overcooking. - Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the food on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes. When reheating, check the steak and potatoes often. You want them warm, not overcooked. Enjoy your delicious meal again! To make steak bites tender, choose the right cut. Sirloin is a great option. You can also marinate the steak. Use acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. This helps break down the meat fibers. For even better results, let the steak sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Yes, you can cook steak bites without an air fryer. One option is to use a skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil and sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side. Another option is to bake them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and cook on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. Steak bites go well with many sides. Crispy potatoes are a great choice, as you already know. You can also serve them with steamed veggies, like green beans or broccoli. A fresh salad with a tangy dressing complements the rich flavor of the steak. Consider garlic bread for a nice touch too. You learned how to make tasty steak bites with crispy potatoes. Using simple ingredients, you can create a delightful dish. Marinating the steak adds great flavor. Remember to let the steak rest for best results. Feel free to try different proteins and seasonings to suit your taste. Proper storage and reheating keep leftovers enjoyable. Enjoy experimenting and sharing this meal with friends and family!$