Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly **Juicy Air Fryer Steak Bites with Mushrooms**! In just 15 minutes, you can achieve perfectly cooked steak with a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior, all while enjoying the convenience of minimal cleanup. This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a game-changer for anyone craving a delicious, restaurant-quality steak dinner at home.

Air Fryer Steak Bites on a plate with mushrooms and blue cheese dipping sauce, ready to be served.

Contents

Air Fryer Steak Bites with Mushrooms: Your Go-To Quick & Juicy Dinner

For those who haven’t yet experienced the magic of an air fryer, recipes like these simple steak bites and air fryer steak fajitas offer compelling reasons to invest in one. This exquisite dish is designed to captivate the palate of any meat lover. Not only is it incredibly flavorful, but it also aligns perfectly with low-carb and keto dietary lifestyles, making it a versatile and healthy option for any night of the week.

The addition of sliced mushrooms infuses this protein-rich main course with a delightful umami depth, elevating the overall flavor profile. However, these succulent steak pieces are equally delectable when served alongside roasted potatoes or your preferred seasonal vegetables. Our recipe cleverly uses a savory dry rub instead of a traditional marinade, which not only seasons the beef and mushrooms beautifully but also significantly reduces preparation time, getting you to dinner faster.

Featured in the center of the serving plate is our optional, yet highly recommended, blue cheese dipping sauce. If you’re a fan of bold flavors, this creamy sauce takes the steak bites over the top, adding a layer of sophisticated taste. However, rest assured, these flavorful steak bites are fantastic on their own, needing no accompaniment to shine.

The air fryer truly excels at cooking steak, offering an unparalleled combination of taste and convenience. It achieves a beautiful char and crispness on the exterior that rivals results from a traditional grill, while simultaneously ensuring the center remains perfectly juicy and tender. The controlled environment of the air fryer makes it remarkably easy to monitor the cooking process, guaranteeing your steak is done exactly to your liking every time.

And the absolute best part? Once you’ve savored every bite of this delightful meal, simply place the air fryer basket directly into the dishwasher. Cleanup is truly a breeze, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy your evening.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Steak Bites

Crafting these delectable air fryer steak bites requires only a handful of readily available ingredients:

Sirloin Steak: Our top recommendation for this recipe due to its balance of tenderness and flavor. For more fantastic options, refer to the “Best Type of Steak” section below.
Steak Seasoning: Feel free to use your favorite blend. We’ve had great success with Montreal seasoning, similar to this popular version. Be mindful of sodium content; you might need less if your chosen blend is particularly salty. For a simple yet effective alternative, a combination of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder works wonders.
Olive Oil: Essential for coating the beef cubes, helping the seasoning adhere and promoting that desirable crispy crust. Avocado oil is an excellent alternative due to its high smoke point.
Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add an incredible earthy depth and umami flavor. If mushrooms aren’t to your taste, feel free to omit them or substitute with another favorite quick-cooking vegetable like bell peppers or zucchini.

For a comprehensive list of ingredients and detailed, step-by-step instructions, please consult the full recipe card provided further below.

Choosing the Best Steak for Air Frying

Selecting the right cut of beef is crucial for achieving consistently juicy and flavorful air fryer steak bites. While many cuts can work, our preferred choice for this recipe is **top sirloin steak filets**. This cut offers a lean yet tender texture that holds up beautifully to the high heat of the air fryer, ensuring succulent results every time. Other excellent options include:

**Beef Tips:** Often already cut, saving you prep time.
**Beef Tenderloin:** A premium, incredibly tender option that will yield luxurious bites.
**NY Strip Steaks:** Known for their excellent marbling and robust flavor, offering a slightly richer taste.

Regardless of the cut you choose, aim to slice the meat into uniform 1-inch to 1 ½-inch bite-sized pieces. I personally find that slightly thicker cubes (closer to 1 ½ inches) are easier to monitor during cooking. This allows you to effortlessly remove a single piece to check its doneness without disturbing the others, helping you gauge the remaining cooking time more accurately.

Pro Tip: The key to even cooking is consistency. Strive for uniformly sized cubes so that all pieces finish cooking at approximately the same time, preventing some from overcooking while others remain underdone.

Two sirloin steak filets on a cutting board, ready to be cut into cubes.

A Note on Air Fryer Models:
This recipe was developed and tested using popular Ninja (4-quart) and Cosori air fryers. While the general principles remain the same, cooking times and results may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer brand and size. It is always recommended to refer to your appliance’s user manual and adjust cooking times as necessary based on your experience. Throughout this guide, you will find a wealth of **helpful tips** designed to ensure your success, regardless of the air fryer model you own.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Steak Bites

Follow these simple instructions and accompanying images to create perfect, juicy air fryer steak bites with tender mushrooms:

Step 1: Prepare the Steak

Begin by thoroughly patting your steak dry with paper towels. Then, cut the steak into approximately 1-inch bite-sized pieces. The moisture found at the bottom of the steak package is typically myoglobin, a natural protein, and is not harmful. However, ensuring the meat is dry before applying oil and seasoning is crucial, as it helps the rub adhere better, leading to a more flavorful and crispy crust.

Cubed sirloin steak filets neatly arranged on a cutting board.

Step 2: Season the Beef

Place the dry beef cubes into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil, then generously sprinkle with your chosen steak seasoning. Toss the cubes thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated. This ensures maximum flavor penetration and helps achieve that beautiful, crispy sear.

Steak seasoning in a measuring spoon being sprinkled over cubed beef in a vibrant red bowl.

Helpful Guideline for Scaling: For every 1 pound of beef, aim to use 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of steak seasoning. This ratio provides optimal flavor and coating.

Step 3: Add Mushrooms (or other vegetables)

Slice your mushrooms into halves or thirds, depending on their size. Add the chopped mushrooms to the bowl with the seasoned beef cubes. Alternatively, you can add the beef cubes to the air fryer first, then pour the mushrooms on top. Either way, gently shake the bowl or the air fryer basket to ensure the mushrooms are lightly coated with the oil and seasoning, allowing them to absorb the flavors and cook evenly.

Chopped mushrooms being added from a plate into a bowl containing seasoned beef cubes.

Quick Tip on Preheating: Unlike traditional ovens, preheating an air fryer is often not necessary, as it reaches temperature very quickly. For this recipe, you can skip preheating. However, if you prefer to preheat, do so for 3 minutes before adding the beef cubes, then reduce the initial cooking time in Step 4 to 7 minutes.

Step 4: Air Fry the Steak and Mushrooms

Carefully transfer the seasoned beef cubes and mushrooms into the air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) and the timer for 9 minutes. This duration is generally ideal for achieving medium-rare steak bites. Keep in mind that the precise cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your steak cubes and your personal preference for doneness.

Important for Even Cooking: Ideally, the beef cubes and mushrooms should be arranged in a single layer within the air fryer basket to ensure optimal air circulation and even cooking. If your air fryer is smaller, a slight overlap is acceptable, but avoid overcrowding the basket. If necessary, cook the steak bites and mushrooms in separate batches to maintain quality.

Uncooked sirloin steak cubes and sliced mushrooms neatly arranged in an air fryer basket.

Step 5: First Shake and Check

After the first 3 or 4 minutes of cooking, pause the air fryer and remove the basket. Give the basket a good shake to redistribute the steak bites and mushrooms, ensuring all sides get exposure to the hot air. Take a moment to peek and observe how the steak is cooking and developing its crust. This is what mine looked like at this stage:

Partially cooked steak bites and mushrooms in an air fryer basket, showing initial browning.

Step 6: Continue Cooking and Shaking

Resume cooking and continue to pause, check, and vigorously shake the basket at 2-minute intervals until the beef cubes reach your desired level of doneness. This consistent shaking is especially critical if your meat is not cooking in a perfectly single layer. Even with a larger air fryer, this step is essential for monitoring and ensuring uniform doneness. Once you’ve made this recipe a few times, you’ll likely develop a good intuition and may only need to check halfway through!

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once cooked to perfection, carefully transfer the hot steak bites and vegetables from the air fryer basket to a serving platter. It is essential to allow the meat to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in exceptionally tender and moist steak bites. For an elegant touch, consider sprinkling some freshly chopped parsley over the top just before serving.

Achieving Perfect Steak Doneness: A Guide

The most reliable method for determining if your beef cubes have reached your desired doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the center of a larger steak bite for the most accurate reading:

**Rare:** 125-130°F (52-54°C) – Cool red center.
**Medium-Rare:** 130-135°F (54-57°C) – Warm red center. This is often preferred for steak bites.
**Medium:** 135-140°F (57-60°C) – Warm pink center. The USDA recommends 145°F (63°C) for medium-cooked beef for food safety.
**Medium-Well:** 140-145°F (60-63°C) – Slightly pink center.
**Well-Done:** 150°F (66°C) and above – Little to no pink.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, a quick alternative is to lift out a piece and cut it in half to visually inspect the interior.

Remember that meat continues to cook slightly after it’s removed from the heat source due to residual heat, a phenomenon known as “carryover cooking.” Factor this in by removing your steak bites a few degrees below your target temperature. For instance, I usually stop cooking when the internal temperature reaches 130°F to 135°F, as I enjoy my steak closer to medium-rare or even slightly on the rare side.

Perfectly cooked steak bites and mushrooms made in an air fryer, served on a white plate with a blue cheese dipping sauce.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Steak Bites

These versatile steak bites are a fantastic main course and pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:

**Simple Green Salad:** A fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich steak.
**Roasted Vegetables:** Asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, or even more mushrooms can be roasted alongside the steak (or in a separate batch in the air fryer) for a balanced meal.
**Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mash:** Creamy potatoes or a low-carb cauliflower mash make a comforting side.
**Rice or Quinoa:** For a heartier meal, serve over a bed of fluffy rice or nutritious quinoa.
**Air Fryer Sides:** Consider quick air fryer potatoes, sweet potato fries, or crispy green beans for an all-air-fryer meal.
**Dipping Sauces:** Beyond the blue cheese sauce, try a fresh chimichurri, a classic béarnaise, a simple garlic herb butter, or a zesty horseradish sauce to complement the steak.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Enjoying leftovers of these air fryer steak bites is just as easy as making them the first time:

Refrigerator Storage: Store any leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating in the Microwave: For a quick reheat, place the steak bites on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture. Heat at 50% power for 30-60 seconds, then check and repeat as needed until thoroughly heated through. Be careful not to overheat to avoid tough steak.
Reheating in the Air Fryer: To restore some of that delicious crispy texture, place the leftover steak bites in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. This method is excellent for bringing back that fresh-cooked appeal.

Explore More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

The air fryer is a fantastic tool for quick, healthy, and delicious meals. If you loved these steak bites, be sure to check out some of our other favorite air fryer creations:

Air Fryer Steak Fajitas Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Parmesan Cauliflower Bites – Just 5 Ingredients!

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📋 Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites (with Mushrooms)

Air Fryer Steak Bites on plate with mushrooms and blue cheese dipping sauce

Air Fryer Steak Bites (with Mushrooms)

These Air Fryer Steak Bites with Mushrooms are ready in a flash, offering a perfectly juicy taste and a wonderfully crispy outside. A speedy and satisfying meal with easy cleanup!

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

Servings:
4 servings

Author:
Marjory Pilley

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 pound sirloin filet cut into 1 to 1-½ inch cubes
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon steak seasoning
8 ounces mushrooms

Instructions

Pat beef dry, then toss cubes with olive oil and steak seasoning in a large bowl until evenly coated.
Chop mushrooms in half or in thirds and add them to the bowl with the beef. Toss gently to coat the mushrooms with oil and seasoning.
Transfer the beef cubes and mushrooms to the air fryer basket. Arrange in a single layer if possible, or cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Set the air fryer temperature to 390°F (199°C) and the timer for 9 minutes for medium-rare steak.
After 3-4 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket to redistribute the contents. Continue to pause and shake at 2-minute intervals thereafter until the beef cubes reach your desired doneness. Mine typically finish in 7-9 minutes, but cooking time will vary by machine and cube thickness. To check for doneness, lift out a larger piece and either use a meat thermometer (145°F for medium) or cut it in half to visually check the interior. Remember that the meat’s internal temperature will continue to rise slightly after it’s removed from the air fryer.
Once cooked, transfer the steak bites and mushrooms to a platter. Allow the meat to rest for a couple of minutes before serving to ensure maximum juiciness, then enjoy!

Notes

(For more expert tips and pictures, please refer to the sections above.)

This recipe was primarily developed using top sirloin steak filets, but excellent results can also be achieved with beef tips, beef tenderloin, and NY strip steaks.
When scaling the recipe, a good guideline is to use 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of steak seasoning per 1 pound of beef.
**Stovetop Cooking Alternative:** If you prefer to cook these on the stovetop, follow steps 1-3 for preparing the beef cubes and mushrooms. Heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works best) over high heat. Add the beef cubes and mushrooms, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Allow the beef cubes to sear undisturbed on each side for several minutes until they reach your desired doneness.
**Important Appliance Note:** My tests for this recipe were conducted using a 4-quart Ninja air fryer. Results may vary with different brands or sizes of air fryers. Always consult your specific appliance’s instructions and adjust cooking times based on your experience. This article is full of **practical tips** to help you succeed, regardless of your air fryer model.

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Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving)

Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer