Let’s talk about one of the most delicious air fryer recipes you can make in under 20 minutes: Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Imagine tender, juicy cubes of steak seared to perfection, tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, and ready to devour in the time it takes to set the table.This recipe is gluten-free friendly, low-carb, and totally weeknight-worthy. Whether you’re juggling work, parenting, or just tired from a long day—this one’s for you.And if you’re following Keto, Paleo, or Whole30? Good news: you can enjoy these buttery bites without breaking your plan.
Quick Tip: To get precise nutritional info, plug your ingredients into tools like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer. Slimming World folks, double-check with your app to keep things on track!
If bold beef flavors are your thing, don’t miss these birria tacos too.
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What You’ll Need: Ingredients
We’re keeping it simple but flavorful. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these garlic butter steak bites:
For the Steak:
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak bites or ribeye, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional if avoiding oil)
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes
For the Garlic Butter:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (or ghee for dairy-free)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or soy-free alternative (optional)
- Optional: squeeze of lemon juice for a zingy finish
That’s it! Pantry staples, simple herbs, and a good cut of beef.
Let’s Cook: Step-by-Step Instructions
This is where the magic happens. You’re about 15 minutes away from crispy, juicy steak heaven.
Step 1: Prep Your Steak
Grab your steak and cut it into 1-inch cubes. You want them uniform so they cook evenly. Pat them dry with a paper towel—this helps them crisp up in the air fryer.
Toss the cubes in olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes if you’re feeling spicy.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. Don’t skip this—starting hot means better searing and less sogginess.
Step 3: Air Fry the Steak
Spread the steak cubes in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if you need to.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For juicy steak bites, pull them out around the 10-minute mark.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter
While the steak’s doing its thing, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Don’t let it burn!
Toss in the parsley and Worcestershire (if using). Set aside but keep warm.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Transfer the hot steak bites to a bowl and pour that golden garlic butter right over the top. Toss to coat every delicious cube.
Let them rest for a few minutes to soak up all the flavor. Then serve hot.
Garlic lovers will also enjoy this creamy herb chicken dish loaded with fresh herbs and flavor.
Serving Tips & Pairings
So you’ve got a bowl of sizzling, buttery steak bites. Now what?
Here are some killer ways to serve them:
- With roasted broccoli or green beans for a low-carb plate
- Over mashed cauliflower or air-fried sweet potatoes
- Tucked into a rice or quinoa bowl with veggies
- As a party appetizer—just stick in some toothpicks and boom!
Want another cheesy dinner twist? Try this garlic butter chicken bites alternative.
Substitutions and Flavor Hacks
We all like to switch it up sometimes. Here are some tasty swaps:
- Dairy-Free? Use ghee or olive oil in place of butter.
- Herbs: Try rosemary, thyme, or chives instead of parsley.
- Cuts of Beef: Sirloin, ribeye, or even flank steak work great.
- Add Veggies: Toss in bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms with the steak.
Want to try this garlic-butter profile with fish? Check out these honey garlic salmon bites.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s run it down:
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- High-protein, low-carb
- Gluten-free friendly
- Family-approved
- Beginner-friendly and totally fuss-free
Whether you’re a student, a parent, or someone just trying to get a decent meal after work—this one ticks all the boxes.
Want more meals like this? Discover more high-protein dinner ideas to pair with your fitness goals.
Estimated Nutritional Info (Per Serving)
Please note: these are rough estimates and can vary depending on your ingredients.
- Calories: ~330
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: <2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Gluten-Free: Yes (verify your Worcestershire or soy sauce brand)
Always calculate based on your own ingredients—especially if you’re following Slimming World, Keto, Whole30, or tracking macros.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Juicy steak bites tossed in rich garlic butter, cooked in under 20 minutes in the air fryer—perfect for a quick, protein-packed dinner or party appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or soy-free alternative (optional)
- Optional: squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Cut steak into 1-inch cubes and pat dry.
- Toss steak in olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Place steak in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add parsley and Worcestershire sauce; keep warm.
- Toss cooked steak in garlic butter mixture.
- Let rest a few minutes and serve hot.
Notes
Use ghee for dairy-free, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg

Disclaimers and Policies
This recipe is not intended to replace medical advice or professional dietary recommendations. Nutritional values are estimates and should be verified using trusted tools like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer.
Please check all packaged ingredients for allergens including dairy, soy, gluten, or eggs. Slimming Eats assumes no responsibility for individual results or dietary program compatibility.
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