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These Air Fryer Steak Tips are marinated in an easy homemade marinade and browned to perfection in the air fryer. Serve them with melted butter and blue cheese for the juiciest steak bites you’ve ever tasted!
If you love steak tips but hate the messy situation of frying them in oil on the stovetop, then you absolutely need to try this recipe! The high heat of the air fryer adds a little charring to the steak bites which is so flavorful, and the clean up is much easier too!
We normally enjoy these steak tips with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and maple glazed air fryer carrots, but you can serve them up with so many different side dishes like these air fryer frozen french fries! I’ve included some of my favorite options at the end of this post.
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Why this recipe works
- As with most foods cooked in the air fryer, you get tender and juicy results without using as much oil as stovetop or oven cooking.
- Since the steak tips are cooked in the closed air fryer basket, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up messy oil splatters on your stovetop.
- They air fry on high heat for just 4-5 minutes, so these steak bites don’t dry out and they turn out perfectly browned and juicy every time!
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What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
Other air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Air Fryer Cheesecake
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Ingredients
You’ll need 1 pound of steak tips for this recipe. I usually buy New York, Sirloin or Ribeye steak and cut it into cubes. You can also buy steak tips, usually labelled as sirloin tips or beef tips.
Look for steak with some marbling, but not a lot. You want your steak tips lean enough that they’re not drenched in grease, but fatty enough that they’re tender and flavorful.
The steak tips are air fried with a layer of thinly sliced onions (or finely diced). You just need ½ a medium yellow onion. You can also use white or red onion if you prefer.
The homemade steak marinade is simple and consists of Worcestershire sauce, garlic, coconut sugar, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. If you’re in a pinch, you can also use a store-bought steak marinade.
For serving, I opt for melted salted butter and blue cheese crumbles. This is optional, but it takes the flavor up a notch, so I highly recommend it!
Step by step instructions
Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Add the beef tips and stir to coat them thoroughly.
Let sit for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best results, in the fridge.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F degrees for about 3-5 minutes.
Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil and add the beef tips in a single layer. (They will need to be cooked in two batches). Layer half the onion slices on top.
Cook for 4-5 minutes for medium-rare to medium.
Repeat with the remaining beef and onions.
Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and drizzle with melted butter.
Expert tips
- For even cooking, you should air fry the steak tips in a single layer. This means you'll likely need to cook them in two separate batches, especially if you have a small air fryer.
- Each air fryer is a little different so you may need to adjust the temperature or cook time slightly.
- Use a good quality spray oil (not PAM or equivalent) to avoid damaging the air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill it with my favorite oil.
- If you prefer your steak tips well done, air fry for a few extra minutes, but check on them to make sure they don’t burn.
Common questions
I usually buy New York, Sirloin or Ribeye steak and cut it into cubes. You can also buy steak tips, usually labelled as sirloin tips. While this suggests they come from the sirloin, steak tips (or beef tips) can also come from the flank, tenderloin or round part of the cow.
While marinating is not absolutely necessary, it does add flavor to steak and helps tenderize it, especially if your steak tips are from a tougher cut of beef. You can marinate the steak tips for a little as 3 hours, or for maximum flavor, let them sit in the fridge overnight.
If you’re pressed for time, you can mix the steak tips in the marinade and air fry immediately. You will get some of the flavor, but the steak tips will not have time to absorb it all or tenderize.
It depends on how well done you like your steak. I think beef tips taste best when they’re cooked to medium or medium rare. So, at 400F degrees, you would air fry your steak tips for about 4-5 minutes.
If you prefer well done, you can add a few extra minutes to the air frying time. Just check on the steak tips to ensure they aren’t charring too much on the outside. To check for doneness, I suggest using a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Make it a meal
Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to serve with air fryer steak bites:
- Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Spicy Braised Green Beans
- Healthy Crispy Baked Parsnip Fries
- Instant Pot Spanish Rice
- Air Fryer Biscuits (Canned)
If you love this recipe, leave a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂
Recipe
The Best Air Fryer Steak Tips With Garlic Butter and Blue Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound steak tips New York, Sirloin or Ribeye steak, cubed
- ½ medium yellow onion very thinly sliced or diced finely
- 2-4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoons melted salted butter optional
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar substitute brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Add the beef tips and stir to coat them thoroughly.
- Let sit for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best results, in the fridge.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F degrees for about 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil and add the beef tips in a single layer. (They will need to be cooked in two batches). Layer half the onion slices on top.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes for medium-rare to medium.
- Repeat with remaining beef and onions.
- Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and drizzle with melted butter.
Expert Tips:
- For even cooking, you should cook steak tips in a single layer, being sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This means you'll likely need to cook them in two separate batches, especially if you have a small air fryer.
- Each air fryer is a little different so you may need to adjust the temperature or cook time slightly.
- Use a good quality spray oil (not PAM or equivalent) to avoid damaging the air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill it with my favorite oil.
- If you prefer your steak tips well done, air fry for a few extra minutes, but check on them to make sure they don’t burn or overcook. Cook them to your desired doneness.
- You can also cook your steak tips in a cast iron skillet until browned on all sides, then serve.
Nutrition
Tavo
Thanks for this recipe! I went very well. I found all the suggestions and detailed directions very helpful. My family loved the dish. Will definitely be making this often!
Danielle
Yay! That's awesome to hear 🙂
Pam Greer
Our new favorite way to eat steak tips!! The air fryer does them perfect!
Danielle
I'm so glad you liked them!
Catherine pires
What kind of oil sprayer?
Danielle
I use this one and have been pretty happy with it: https://amzn.to/3MOrUf4
Teodora Grujic
Perfect for a nice family dinner! Thank you!
Danielle
You're welcome!
Sharmila Kingsly
Air Fryer version is super awesome.. Less oil and a super yummy steak !!
Danielle
Totally agree!
Keri Bevan
Great way to use my new air fryer! Thanks so much!
Danielle
They're so simple!
Nava
This came out amazing, definitely will be making it again!
Danielle
So glad you liked it!