Air Fryer Steak Bites & Potatoes is a simple meal you can make in minutes with just a piece of steak and any potatoes you have in the house. They cook quickly in the air fryer and make a hearty and satisfying meal.
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The air fryer has really simplified the way I cook dinner now. It’s so easy to combine a meat and starch in the basket and just let it do its thing. Steak and potatoes go together so well. Why not just enjoy the simplicity of this meal?
You can use any cut of steak and any potatoes – large or small – making this a really versatile recipe. You can even use leftover steak, which can easily be reheated in the air fryer. Chicken and sausage are other proteins you can sub for the steak, if you want.
Ingredients You Need
- Steak – Use any piece of steak you like. Sirloin, tri tip, or NY strips works great as does a more budget friendly London Broil.
- Potatoes – I like to use new baby potatoes for this recipe, because they’re so easy to cube – just cut them in half if they’re small enough or in 4th. However, any potato goes. No need to peel.
- Butter – Use salted butter to give the steak and potatoes delicious flavor.
- Salt & pepper – Season each component separately and then again at the end.
- Cooking oil spray – The spray makes things just that much easier. But you can also toss the potatoes and steak with olive oil or oil of your choice before putting them in the air fryer.
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit 2 Chicken Kiev pieces. Give each piece of chicken Kiev enough space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
- Meat thermometer: The only way to tell if meat is fully cooked to the right temperature is to use a meat thermometer. I use this Instant Read thermometer. It’s so quick to open the basket and check the temp.
What Oil & Oil Sprayer is Best for the Air Fryer?
The biggest issue most air fryer lovers face is finding the right oil and oil sprayer to use on food cooked in the air fryer. A fine mist of oil will help the entire piece of food crisp evenly, so it’s very important.
My personal preference is to use canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil. I use both a refillable spray bottle like the Evo one pictured below and non-propellant extra virgin olive oil, which has not harmful aerosols or chemicals.
How to Make Air Fryer Steak Bites & Potatoes
Season the potatoes and the steak separately with salt and pepper. Since they will go into the air fryer separately, you need to keep them in different bowls or plates.
Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with spray cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place the cubed potatoes in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
I put in the potatoes first because they will take longer to cook then the steak and you don’t want to overcook the steak. You can parboil the potatoes in a pot of boiling water if you want instead, but for me I just want to make the whole meal in the air fryer.
After the first 8 minutes, add the seasoned steak to the basket, on top of the potatoes. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket 1 to 2 more times to ensure even cooking.
You can stop cooking when the steak reaches medium rare or continue cooking to well done. It’s up to you. Just use a meat thermometer to check the meat. It will need to be 135° for medium rare and 160° for well done.
Add the melted butter to a large bowl. When the air fryer steak bites and potatoes are done cooking in the air fryer, pour them into the bowl and toss to coat with butter. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve while hot.
How To Store Leftover Air Fryer Steak
Allow the cooked steak bites and potatoes to cool down. Separate the steak bites and potatoes and store them in separate airtight containers to prevent moisture from the potatoes from affecting the texture of the steak. Ensure the containers are sealed tightly to prevent air from entering, and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Storing them apart will also help you reheat them in the best way. They will reheat at different rates in the air fryer, with the potatoes taking longer by nearly double the time it will take the steak to reheat.
When you’re ready to reheat, place the potatoes in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes, then add the steak in and continue cooking for 3 minutes.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze air fryer steak and potatoes, but while freezing can help preserve the steak and potatoes, the quality of the dish might be slightly compromised by the freezing. When you’re ready to reheat, follow the instructions above, but cook the potatoes for 7 minutes before adding the steak to cook for another 5 minutes.
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- I use a Ninja MaxXL air fryer (pictured left). If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Here’s a printable Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to get you started.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
Additional Pro Tips
- The size of your potatoes and steak will make a big difference to the cooking times. I try to cut them both to the exact same size, making them bite sized or about 1″ cubed. If the potatoes are bigger than this, it might take them longer to cook.
- To ensure the potatoes get cooked through, check the potatoes before adding the steak. They should be tender, but not quite done yet. If they are still crisp, let them cook for an additional 2 minutes before adding the steak.
- Sirloin or ribeye are often on sale or are usually the most budget-friendly, however any type of steak will work in this recipe, so buy what you like. Other cuts of beef like London broil can be good as well, but avoid stew meat.
- Air Fryer temperatures vary slightly for each model. I like to cook this at 400°F no matter which air fryer I’m using. However, the time to cook might vary, so always check the food near the end of cooking so you’re in control.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make this a garlic steak by adding garlic powder to the seasoning. If you want to add fresh garlic, I would suggest making a garlic herb butter to toss with at the end. Garlic has a way of burning when it’s cooking in the air fryer.
- You can also make an herb butter by adding any fresh herbs you like, such as rosemary, thyme, or basil.
- You can also add some vegetables to this basket, if you want. I find that the best veggies are onions, bell peppers, or zucchini. They can be added at the same time as the steak. You can also add mushrooms or even some jalapenos to add a little bite.
Why Is My Steak Chewy In The Air Fryer?
If your steak is turning out chewy when cooked in the air fryer, a few factors could contribute to this issue. Here are some reasons why your steak might not turn out well.
- Overcooking steak can result in chewiness.
- Choosing the wrong cut. Tougher cuts will often result in a chewier steak.
- Cutting into the steak immediately after cooking can cause the juices to escape, resulting in a drier and chewier texture.
- Cook steak at excessively high temperatures can cause the exterior to cook quickly, resulting in a chewy texture. At the same time, the interior might need to be fully cooked.
- Thin cuts of steak cook quickly. They can become overcooked and tough if left in for too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook steak and vegetables together in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook steak and vegetables together in an air fryer. It’s a convenient way to prepare a complete meal in one appliance. However, oftentimes these two elements will require different cook times, so you will have to balance the timing.
Should I bake or air-fry steak?
I personally like both methods equally. There’s a time and place for both. If you have an air fryer and want to give it a try, I think you will find that air frying a steak leads to a well-cooked piece of meat.
Can I cook the steak to medium rare in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook the steak to whatever internal temperature you want, just as you would in the oven or stovetop. You will just need to check the temperature with a meat thermometer throughout cooking and stop cooking when the meat reaches 135°F.
Can I use stew meat in this recipe?
I wouldn’t recommend using stew meat in this recipe because it really needs to be cooked much longer, in a wet preparation, to become tender. Since stew meat is a budget cut, it can be tough and hard to eat when cooked only to medium or similar temperature.
Can I add vegetables?
You can add vegetables to this meal in the air fryer. I like to add sturdy vegetables like onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. Just toss it into the basket with the steak and cook as directed.
What To Serve with Steak Bites
Steak bites and potatoes make for a delicious and satisfying meal. To create a well-rounded and balanced dish, consider serving them with:
- Roasted/steamed vegetables
- Salad
- Sauteed spinach
- Grilled asparagus
- Mushroom sauce
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Dinner rolls/bread
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Air Fryer Steak Bites & Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) sirloin steak cubed
- 1/2 pound (227 g) potatoes cubed
- Salt & pepper for seasoning
- Cooking oil spray
- 1 tablespoons (15 ml) butter melted
Instructions
- Season the potatoes and the steak separately with salt and pepper.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with spray cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place the cubed potatoes in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Add the seasoned steak to the basket, on top of the potatoes. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket 1 to 2 more times to ensure even cooking.
- Add the melted butter to a large bowl. Pour the steak and potatoes into the bowl and toss to coat with butter. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
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Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.