Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak (Printable Version)

Tender steak cubes coated in garlic butter and quickly air fried for flavorful results.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Steak

01 - 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

→ Garlic-Butter Sauce

06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
07 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Toss steak cubes with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
03 - Place steak bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
04 - Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking; 4 minutes for medium-rare, 6 minutes for medium doneness.
05 - Combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
06 - Transfer cooked steak bites to a bowl and toss immediately with the garlic-butter sauce.
07 - Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra parsley.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in under 20 minutes, so you can skip the takeout and still feel like you cooked something exciting.
  • The air fryer locks in juiciness while creating perfectly caramelized edges you'd normally only get from a screaming-hot pan.
  • Garlic butter transforms simple steak cubes into something rich and restaurant-worthy with almost no effort.
  • Works as a fancy appetizer with toothpicks or a satisfying main dish over greens or rice.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer, or the steak bites will cook unevenly and lose their juicy center before the outside browns.
  • Cut the steak into uniform 1-inch cubes so they finish cooking at the same time, otherwise smaller pieces will dry out while larger ones stay undercooked.
  • Toss the steak in the garlic butter immediately after cooking while it's still hot, so the butter melts into the meat instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • If you like your steak more well-done, add 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time but check frequently to avoid toughness.
03 -
  • Pat the steak cubes dry with a paper towel before seasoning so the oil and spices adhere better and the air fryer can create a proper sear.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, cook the steak bites in two batches rather than crowding them, then toss both batches together in the garlic butter at the end.
  • For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic-butter sauce right before tossing.
  • Let the steak rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly and stays tender.
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