Hey friends! Welcome back to my kitchen. Today, I am sharing a recipe that has completely saved my sanity on busy weeknights: Air Fryer Steak Bites with Potatoes. We all have those days where the clock strikes 5 PM, the kids are hungry, and the thought of dirtying a million pots and pans makes you want to cry. Enter the magical air fryer.

This isn’t just any steak recipe; it is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in about 20 minutes. I am talking about tender, melt-in-your-mouth chunks of sirloin steak tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, cooked right alongside golden, crispy potato chunks. It is the classic meat-and-potatoes combo, but modernized for us busy moms who need speed without sacrificing flavor.

My husband is a total steak snob, and even he admits that these little bites rival his favorite steakhouse order. Plus, because everything cooks in one basket, clean-up is a total breeze. No grease splatters on the stove, no smoking up the kitchen with a cast-iron skillet—just pure, delicious comfort food. Whether you are meal prepping for the week or just need a quick win for dinner, this recipe is going to be your new best friend!

History & Origins

While the combination of steak and potatoes is as old as culinary history itself—often associated with hearty American ranch cooking or traditional British Sunday roasts—the method of cooking them together in an air fryer is a distinctly modern innovation. The air fryer, introduced globally by Philips in 2010, revolutionized home cooking by using rapid air technology to mimic deep frying and convection roasting.

Before this handy gadget, achieving crispy potatoes and seared steak usually meant using two different cooking methods: roasting potatoes in the oven for 45 minutes and searing steak in a hot skillet. This recipe marries the two ingredients in a single cooking vessel, utilizing the intense circulating heat to caramelize the meat and crisp the tubers simultaneously. It represents the evolution of the classic "Meat and Three" dinner into the efficient, fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st-century family.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works beautifully because of the science behind air frying—convection heat. The air fryer circulates superheated air around the food, which promotes the Maillard reaction. This is the chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinctive flavor. Because we cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, we increase the surface area, meaning more of that delicious, savory browning on every single bite compared to a whole steak.

Furthermore, timing is everything here. Potatoes are dense and take longer to cook than lean steak. By starting the potatoes first and adding the steak halfway through, we ensure that both components finish at the exact same time. The potatoes get that fluffy interior and crunchy exterior, while the steak remains juicy and tender without becoming rubbery. Finishing everything with a toss of garlic butter adds a layer of fat that carries the flavor and keeps the lean sirloin moist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✓Ready in under 25 minutes from prep to plate
• ✓One-basket meal means minimal cleanup
• ✓High protein and gluten-free friendly
• ✓Restaurant-quality garlic butter flavor
• ✓Perfect for meal prep bowls
• ✓Kid-friendly bite-sized pieces

Equipment You’ll Need

• ✓Air Fryer (5.8qt or larger recommended)
• ✓Large Mixing Bowl
• ✓Tongs
• ✓Sharp Chef’s Knife
• ✓Cutting Board
• ✓Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

• ✓1.5 lbs Sirloin steak (or Ribeye), cut into 1-inch cubes
• ✓1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• ✓2 tbsp Olive oil, divided
• ✓1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ✓1 tsp Garlic powder
• ✓1 tsp Onion powder
• ✓1 tsp Salt, divided
• ✓1/2 tsp Black pepper
• ✓1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning (for potatoes)
• ✓3 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
• ✓3 cloves Garlic, minced
• ✓1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep the Potatoes: Wash your potatoes thoroughly. You can peel them if you like, but I love the rustic texture of the skin left on! Dice them into uniform 1-inch cubes. Place them in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, Italian seasoning, and half of the salt and pepper.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This helps get that immediate sear.
3. Cook Potatoes First: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning. Potatoes take longer than steak, so this head start is crucial!
4. Prep the Steak: While the potatoes are cooking, cut your steak into 1-inch cubes, removing any large pieces of gristle or hard fat. In the same mixing bowl (wipe it out if needed), toss the steak bites with the remaining olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and the rest of the salt and pepper.
5. Combine and Cook: Once the potatoes have cooked for 10 minutes, open the basket and push the potatoes to one side (or just scatter the steak on top if you are short on space, but a single layer is best). Add the steak bites to the basket. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes at 400°F. 4 minutes for medium-rare, 6 minutes for medium-well.
6. Make Garlic Butter: While the steak and potatoes finish cooking, mix the melted butter with the minced fresh garlic in a small bowl.
7. Final Toss: Remove the basket from the air fryer. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the hot steak and potatoes and toss well to coat everything evenly.
8. Serve: Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot and juicy!

Expert Cooking Tips

• ✓Room Temperature Steak: Try to let your steak sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Cold steak hitting high heat can seize up and become tough.
• ✓Uniform Cutting: Make sure your potato cubes and steak bites are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. If the potatoes are too big, they will be hard in the middle.
• ✓Don’t Overcrowd: Air fryers work by circulating air. If the basket is packed too tight, the food will steam instead of roast. Cook in batches if you have a smaller unit.
• ✓Check Temp: If you are unsure about the steak doneness, use a meat thermometer. You are looking for 130°F for medium-rare or 140°F for medium.

Substitutions and Variations

If you aren’t a fan of sirloin, Ribeye or New York Strip works wonderfully for a richer flavor, though they are pricier. For a budget-friendly option, you can use Round Steak, but be careful not to overcook it as it’s leaner. If you want to swap the potatoes, Sweet Potatoes are delicious, but they may cook slightly faster, so check them at the 8-minute mark. For a dairy-free version, simply swap the butter for a high-quality vegan butter or ghee.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake people make is throwing the steak and potatoes in at the same time. Please don’t do this! The steak will turn into shoe leather by the time the potatoes are tender. You must give the potatoes a head start. Another common error is cutting the potatoes too large; keep them small (bite-sized) so they crisp up quickly. Lastly, don’t skimp on the oil for the potatoes; dry potatoes in an air fryer can develop a weird, leathery skin instead of a crisp crust.

Serving Suggestions

Since this is a meat-and-potatoes dish, I love serving it with something green and fresh to balance the richness of the garlic butter. A simple Arugula Salad with lemon vinaigrette is my go-to. Steamed broccoli or green beans also work perfectly. If you are feeling extra indulgent, serve these with a side of horseradish sauce or a creamy peppercorn dip for dunking the steak bites!

Storage and Reheating Tips

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, steak is always best fresh. To reheat, do not use the microwave if you can help it! Place the steak and potatoes back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes. This will wake up the texture of the potatoes and warm the steak without overcooking it completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen steak bites?

It is not recommended to use frozen steak for this recipe. Because the cook time is so short, frozen steak will release too much water and steam rather than sear, leading to a gray, chewy texture. Thaw them completely first.

What is the best type of potato to use?

Yukon Gold (yellow) potatoes are my favorite because they have a creamy interior and thin skin that crisps nicely. Russets work too but are fluffier and can fall apart more easily. Baby red potatoes are also a great option.

Can I use aluminum foil in the air fryer?

You can, but I don’t recommend it for this specific recipe. You want the air to circulate through the holes in the basket to crisp the potatoes. Foil blocks that airflow. If you want easier cleanup, use parchment paper liners with holes in them.

How do I make the steak more tender?

Using a good cut of meat like Sirloin or Ribeye is key. Also, do not overcook it! Steak bites continue to cook slightly after you pull them out (residual heat). Pulling them out at medium-rare ensures they stay tender.

Is this recipe spicy?

Not at all! It is savory and garlicky. If you want a kick, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture at the end.

Can I double the recipe?

If you have a very large air fryer oven, yes. But for standard basket air fryers, doubling it will overcrowd the basket. It is better to cook in two separate batches to ensure everything gets crispy.

Do I need to boil the potatoes first?

Nope! That is the beauty of the air fryer. As long as you cut the potatoes into small 1-inch cubes, they will cook through perfectly in the air fryer without par-boiling.

Can I use chicken instead of steak?

Yes! Use chicken breast or thighs cut into cubes. You will likely need to cook the chicken for about 10-12 minutes total, so you might only need to give the potatoes a 5-minute head start instead of 10.

Conclusion

I hope your family loves these Garlic Butter Air Fryer Steak Bites and Potatoes as much as mine does! It truly is a lifesaver for those hectic evenings when you want a hot, comforting meal without the hassle. The combination of savory garlic butter, juicy beef, and crispy potatoes is just unbeatable.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! And don’t forget to pin this to your Easy Weeknight Dinners board on Pinterest so you can find it whenever the craving strikes. Happy cooking, mamas!