Think air fryers are just for frozen French fries? These garlic butter steak bites are about to blow your mind and join the viral trend that’s taking over social media.
We jumped on this trend the second we saw it because it’s pure genius – perfectly seared steak bites in minutes, all drenched in a garlic butter sauce so good even Vampires will crave it. Yes, please.
Chuck eye steaks or ribeyes work beautifully here because that marbling renders perfectly in the air fryer, creating tender, juicy bites with crispy edges. Then we toss them in that irresistible garlic butter with fresh rosemary that coats every single piece.
🔪 What You’ll Need
Ingredients
For the air-fried steak bites
- Ribeye steaks (chuck eye steaks or a well-marbled New York strip works too)
- Kosher salt
- avocado oil
- Jack Daniel’s Steak Seasoning (or favorite steak rub)
For the garlic butter sauce
- unsalted butter
- garlic cloves
- Fresh rosemary
- Freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
📝 How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Prep the steak: Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Cut them into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, trimming any excess fat.
- Season: Generously season the steak bites with salt, then toss them in avocado oil and Jack Daniel’s Steak Seasoning.
- Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the steak bites in a single layer (don’t overcrowd the basket). Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the steak is browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Make garlic butter: In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until it becomes foamy and has a nutty aroma. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Lower the heat, then stir in the remaining butter and rosemary until it has melted.
- Finish: Toss steak bites in the rich garlic butter sauce. Crack black pepper over top and serve them hot.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Steak swap – Sirloin tip or flat iron are budget-friendly alternatives.
- Herb upgrade – Swap rosemary for thyme, oregano, or parsley.
- Heat lovers – Add chili flakes or cayenne to the garlic butter. Or give our Cowboy Butter a try.
- Cast iron method – No air fryer? Cook steak bites in a ripping hot skillet 2–3 minutes per side.
💡 Meat Nerd Tip
- Chuck eye is the underrated gem of the steak case. Cut from the same primal as ribeye, it packs serious beefy flavor with a lower price tag. Perfect for juicy steak bites where marbling = juicy payoff.
- Preheating the air fryer is non-negotiable; This gives you that golden crust.
- Don’t overload the basket. Cook in batches for even browning.
- For precision, use an instant-read thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium.
- Rest steak bites for 2 minutes before tossing them in garlic butter so the juices stay put.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Pile over mashed potatoes, buttery pasta, or rice for an easy dinner. Keep it low-carb with zoodles.
- Skewer for a party appetizer.
- Pair with garlic bread and a crisp salad for a steakhouse-at-home vibe.
- Drinks? Try with bourbon neat or a big, bold red wine.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes – just until warmed through.
- Garlic butter can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and refrigerated.
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Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Recommended Equipment
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Small saucepan
- mixing bowl
- tongs
Ingredients
For the air-fried steak bites
- 2 lbs ribeye steaks Chuck eye steaks or a well-marbled New York strip steak works well too
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Avocado oil
- 1 tbsp Jack Daniel's Steak Seasoning
For the garlic butter sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary minced
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Make the Steak Bites
- Remove the steaks from the package and pat them dry.
- With a sharp knife, cut the steaks into even 1” pieces, discarding any excess fat.
- Liberally season the beef with the kosher salt.
- Then toss with the avocado oil, sprinkle the Jack Daniel’s Steak seasoning over them, and toss to combine, making sure all sides are coated.
- Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange the steak in an even layer in your air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket once, halfway through cooking for even cooking on all sides.
- When the steak bites are cooked to your liking, set them aside.
Make the garlic butter sauce:
- Preheat a small saucepan over medium heat, add one tablespoon of the butter and stir to coat the bottom, allowing the butter to bubble and have a slightly nutty aroma, but not burn.
- Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Then stir in the remaining butter and minced rosemary until the butter has completely melted.
Serve:
- Pour the garlic butter over the steak bites and toss to coat each one.
- Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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❓ FAQs About Steak Bites
Both work. The air fryer gives quicker, more hands-off crisping, while a cast iron skillet offers a deeper sear.
Not with this recipe and a good cut of beef. A good rub + garlic butter = instant flavor.
Use a thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium. They cook fast, so check early.
Yes, but work in batches to avoid steaming the steak in the air fryer.
Chuck eye is great, but ribeye works if you want more marbling, and strip steak is a great option for a leaner cut.
