Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes

Introduction

There are nights when I crave something hearty, satisfying, and a little indulgent — but I don’t want to stand over a hot skillet, splattering oil all over the kitchen. That’s when this Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes recipe saves the day. Juicy, tender steak cubes paired with crispy, golden potatoes all tossed in buttery garlic goodness — it feels like restaurant comfort food with a weeknight shortcut. Everything cooks evenly in the air fryer, and the best part? You get the bold sear of steakhouse flavor without firing up the grill or pan.

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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes recipe

• 🥩 Juicy steakhouse flavor — tender bites of beef, perfectly seared in minutes.
• 🥔 Crispy potatoes — golden edges without deep frying.
• 🧄 Garlic butter magic — rich flavor that ties everything together.
• ⏱️ Fast & simple — dinner on the table in under 25 minutes.
• 🍽️ One-basket meal — steak and potatoes cook together with minimal cleanup.
• 🔄 Flexible — easy to swap protein, seasoning, or veggies.

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My Personal Experience

I first tested this recipe on a busy Friday evening when I wanted something indulgent but not too heavy. Normally I’d pan-sear steak, but I dreaded the smoke and cleanup. So, I diced up a sirloin, tossed it with my favorite spice rub and cubed potatoes, and tried them in the air fryer. To my surprise, the potatoes crisped up beautifully while the steak stayed tender. The garlic butter drizzle at the end was a game changer — coating everything in rich flavor without weighing it down. Since then, this has become a regular weeknight dinner in my kitchen, especially when friends drop by unannounced.

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Required Equipment

Air Fryer

The star of the show! A basket-style air fryer (5–6 quart) is perfect for this recipe. It gives enough room for both steak and potatoes to crisp up evenly.

Instant-Read Thermometer

For steak, this is non-negotiable. It lets you check doneness without guessing. Target 63°C / 145°F for medium-rare, or go up to 71°C / 160°F for medium-well.

Mixing Bowls

Use one for tossing the potatoes with oil and seasonings, and another for marinating steak bites. Keeps flavors balanced and organized.

Tongs

Helps you flip steak bites mid-way without piercing them too much (which would release juices).

Small Saucepan (optional)

If you want to melt garlic butter separately before drizzling, this makes the job easier.

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Ingredients & Substitutions

(Serves 3–4 people)

• 450 g (1 lb) sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
  Why: These cuts are tender, juicy, and cook quickly.
  Substitute: Strip steak, filet mignon, or even chicken breast for a leaner version.
• 300 g (10 oz) baby potatoes, quartered
  Why: Baby potatoes roast quickly and give crispy edges.
  Substitute: Russet or Yukon potatoes, cubed to ~1-inch.
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  Why: Helps both steak and potatoes crisp and prevents sticking.
  Substitute: Avocado oil or melted ghee.
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
  Why: Adds subtle smoky depth.
  Substitute: Regular paprika or chili powder for heat.
• 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp onion powder
  Why: Ensures garlic flavor runs through every bite.
• 1 tsp salt + ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  Why: Balances flavors and enhances natural taste.
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  Why: Base for garlic butter drizzle.
  Substitute: Ghee or dairy-free butter.
• 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  Why: Fresh garlic deepens the butter flavor.
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  Why: Adds brightness and color at the end.

Optional:

• Turkey bacon bits for extra flavor boost.
• Parmesan sprinkle if you like a cheesy finish.

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Air-Fryer Notes

• Preheat: Always preheat at 200°C / 392°F for 3 minutes before adding food — ensures crisping from the start.
• Basket spacing: Do not overcrowd. Potatoes need breathing room for air to circulate. Cook in 2 batches if necessary.
• Oil spray: A light spritz of oil mid-cook helps with even crisping.
• Flipping: Flip potatoes halfway through for even browning. Add steak later so both finish together.
• Finishing heat: After tossing in garlic butter, return steak bites to the fryer for 1 extra minute at high heat (205°C / 400°F) to caramelize.

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How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes

Step 1 — Prep potatoes

Quarter the baby potatoes and toss them with 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 2 — Air fry potatoes first

Place potatoes in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C / 392°F for 12 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Step 3 — Prep steak

Meanwhile, toss steak cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Keep seasoning simple since garlic butter will shine later.

Step 4 — Add steak to basket

After potatoes cook for 12 minutes, push them to one side of the basket. Add steak bites in a single layer. Continue cooking at 200°C / 392°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway. Use a thermometer: 63°C / 145°F for medium-rare.

Step 5 — Make garlic butter

While steak cooks, melt butter in a saucepan with minced garlic over low heat until fragrant (~2 minutes). Stir in parsley.

Step 6 — Toss and finish

When steak and potatoes are done, pour garlic butter over them in a mixing bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Optionally, return everything to the air fryer for 1 more minute at 205°C / 400°F for caramelization.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Adding steak too early — potatoes take longer, so always stagger cooking.
• ❌ Overcrowding the basket — leads to steaming instead of crisping.
• ❌ Skipping thermometer — guesswork can leave steak overcooked or raw inside.
• ❌ Using cold steak — let cubes rest at room temp for 15 minutes before cooking.

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Pro Tips for Best Results

• Cube steak evenly (1-inch pieces) for consistent cooking.
• Use baby potatoes — they crisp quicker than large cubes.
• Rest steak bites 2–3 minutes after air frying so juices redistribute.
• If making keto-friendly, reduce potatoes to 150 g and add zucchini chunks instead.

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Air-Fryer Benefits of Steak & Potatoes

Cooking steak bites and potatoes in the air fryer eliminates excess oil but still mimics pan-seared flavor. The rapid hot air crisps potatoes without deep frying, while steak develops browned edges and a juicy center. Bonus: less mess and shorter cooking time compared to stovetop or oven methods.

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Variations You Can Try

• Spicy Cajun version: Swap paprika for Cajun seasoning.
• Asian twist: Toss steak bites with soy sauce + sesame oil instead of garlic butter.
• Low-carb swap: Replace potatoes with radishes or cauliflower florets.
• Oven method: Roast potatoes at 220°C / 425°F for 20 minutes, then add steak for 8–10 more minutes.

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Tips for This Recipe

• Marinate steak in advance with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for extra depth.
• Meal prep potatoes by par-cooking them earlier in the day; finish with steak at dinner.
• Double batch for meal prep lunches — reheats beautifully.

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Optional Additions (with carb notes)

• Turkey bacon bits: +40 kcal, 0.5 g carbs.
• Parmesan cheese (1 tbsp): +22 kcal, 0 g net carbs.
• Chili flakes: negligible carbs, adds heat.
• Lemon squeeze: brightens the buttery flavor, 1 g carb max.

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Serving Ideas

• Pair with a crisp green salad and vinaigrette.
• Serve alongside roasted asparagus or green beans.
• Add a fried egg on top for a brunch-worthy twist.
• Perfect for game-day bites or weeknight family dinners.

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Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Not ideal (steak texture suffers).
• Reheat: Return to air fryer at 180°C / 356°F for 3–4 minutes until hot.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What cut of steak works best?
Sirloin is affordable and tender. Ribeye is richer. Strip steak also works well.

2. Can I cook everything at once?
Potatoes need more time, so cook them first, then add steak later.

3. How do I prevent dry steak?
Don’t overcook. Remove at 63°C / 145°F for medium-rare.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use olive oil or vegan butter instead of butter.

5. Do I need to parboil potatoes?
No — the air fryer crisps them perfectly when cubed small.

6. Can I use frozen steak cubes?
Thaw before cooking — frozen steak won’t sear properly.

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Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving, 1 of 4)

• Calories: ~420 kcal
• Protein: 29 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Total Carbs: 16 g
• Net Carbs: 13 g

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Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18–20 minutes
• Total Time: 28–30 minutes
• Course: Main Course / Dinner
• Cuisine: American / Air Fryer Comfort Food
• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~420 kcal