Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak (Printable Version)

Tender steak cubes in a flavorful garlic-butter sauce, quickly cooked in the air fryer to juicy perfection.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to heat for 3 minutes.
02 - Combine the steak cubes with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until fully coated.
03 - Place the seasoned steak cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
04 - Air fry the steak cubes for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even doneness.
05 - While the steak cooks, mix melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
06 - Immediately transfer cooked steak bites into a bowl, then toss thoroughly with the garlic-butter sauce.
07 - Serve the steak bites hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 20 minutes, which means you can go from craving steak to eating it without the usual fuss.
  • The air fryer does the heavy lifting while you prep the sauce—no standing over a hot pan, just golden, juicy bites.
  • That garlic-butter coating is addictive in a way that makes people ask for seconds before they've finished their first bite.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through—it's the difference between evenly browned bites and some that are golden while others are pale.
  • Timing matters more than you'd think: 4 minutes gives you a rosy, tender medium-rare, while 6 minutes brings you closer to medium; any longer and you're fighting against dryness, so know your preference and trust it.
03 -
  • If you have time, marinate the steak cubes in olive oil, minced garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking—it deepens the flavor and makes everything taste like you planned ahead.
  • Ribeye or strip steak will give you even more tenderness and marbling if your budget allows; those cuts are forgiving enough to handle the high heat without drying out.
Return