Steak tips in air fryer are juicy, tender, and full of flavor thanks to a quick balsamic marinade. After marinating, they cook in just 15 minutes with minimal cleanup—perfect for busy nights when you just don’t feel like cooking.
Do you have an air fryer yet? If not, what are you waiting for? I use mine several times a week—it cooks fast, keeps the kitchen cool, and the cleanup? So easy. On nights when I’m running low on energy (or motivation), these steak tips are my dinner solution. But if you don’t have an air fryer yet, no worries, I’ve got stovetop instructions too.
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, and it always delivers juicy steak bites. The quick balsamic marinade is what makes it shine—it brings out the flavor and keeps the steak super tender. Just a few basic ingredients and a little time to soak is all it takes.
I’ve been cooking for decades and sharing tried-and-true recipes here on The Fresh Cooky for years. These steak tips are the kind of meal that tastes amazing without the fuss—real food, made simple, that even picky eaters will love.
Why you will love Steak Tips in Air Fryer
- No grill needed—still get that crispy outside and tender center.
- Quick cleanup—just a light wipe-down most nights.
- No greasy splatters—everything stays contained in the basket.
- Ready in about 15 minutes after marinating!
Air Fryer Steak Tips Ingredients
- Steak: Use your preferred cut of steak; I’ve used Ribeye steak, Sirloin steak, New York or Tri-Tip, or pre-packaged Steak Tips; I love these from ButcherBox. (affiliate link) Cut into steak cubes, bite-sized pieces.
- Quick Marinade: You’ll need olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, and your favorite steak seasoning (try my Carrabba’s Grill Seasoning or similar (See variations for more ideas)
- Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Best Air Fryer for Cooking Steak Bites
The best air fryer is the one that works best for your family, these are a few of my favorites!
- Countertop | I also have the Breville Smart Oven Pro which has a big basket and does much more than air frying! My BFF in the kitchen!
- Many of my air frying friends love this Cosori Air Fryer.
- Ninja Air Fryer – I’m a big fan of Ninja products, too!
- Accessories – Try these parchment air fryer liners for easy and quick clean-up.
How to Air Fry Steak Tips
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. While you wait, remove any excess fat from the beef and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Make your marinade in a small bowl, then toss the meat. You can make them right away, but if you allow to marinate for 30 minutes at least it will intensify the flavors.
- If you prefer, you can let the beef marinate for up to 4 hours in the fridge for a more intense flavor in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before you place it in the air fryer basket.
4. Place the steak pieces in a single layer in your basket. Different air fryers have varying basket sizes, if you have a smaller appliance, you may need to cook in batches.
5. The cooking time for the steak tips in the air fryer is 7-9 minutes, then flip and cook for 3 minutes more. If you’d like, you can add some chopped green veggies for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. This will add a nice charred flavor to your vegetables! Or make these delicious Air Fryer Asparagus.
What to serve with Air Fryer Beef Tips
- Serve your air fryer steak bites with these side dishes, like French fries and steakhouse wedge salad, or add some fresh broccoli during cooking!
- Or try these Air Fryer Steak Fries (oh my!)
Air Fryer Steak Tips Variations
- You can substitute Montreal Steak Seasoning, Cajun seasoning or Italian seasonings. Just keep an eye out for any added MSG! This marinade has little oil, so apply it to the meat like you would dry rub.
- If preferred, try using Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce instead of balsamic vinegar.
- If desired, brush a little melted butter over the top of the steak bites before serving or amp up the flavor even more by sautéing 1-2 cloves of minced garlic in 2-3 tablespoons of butter for 1 minute, then pour the garlic butter sauce over the beef steak tips.
- Serve with some chimichurri sauce.
Air Fryer Steak Tips with Garlic Butter Sauce
Sauté 1-2 cloves minced garlic in 2-3 tablespoons of butter for 1 minute, then pour the garlic butter sauce over the steak tips, for the perfect air fryer steak.
I hope you enjoyed this low-carb air fryer steak recipe and try more of my air fryer recipes.
Kathleen’s Expert Tips
- Use a plastic storage bag for the marinade for even less clean up.
- Don’t be tempted to overcrowd the basket! It’s better to cook in batches — the circulating heat will ensure a nice crispy and charred outer layer.
- Serve alongside French fries, mashed potatoes, red potatoes, roasted vegetables, or pasta salad for a well-rounded meal.
Stovetop Steak Tips
No air fryer? I have you covered!
- Heat a heavy bottomed skillet (a cast iron pan would be great) over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons high heat oil (Avocado or Grapeseed oil work best under high heat).
- Then add ⅓ of the steak tips at a time, letting brown on one side before stirring to brown the other side.
- Brown about 3 minutes on the first side, then 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove and cover, repeating with remaining steak bites until done. Allow meat to rest covered 5-10 minutes.
Even though I live in cattle country, I sometimes have trouble finding good, tender, grass-fed beef. I love Butcher Box (affiliate link); their meats are clean, tender, and reasonably priced. Check it out, they are always offering some great deals and you can customize your box, delivery frequency and more!
How to Store Leftover Steak Tips
Let the steak tips cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat, warm them in the air fryer at 375ºF for 3–4 minutes until heated through. Prefer the stovetop? Toss them in a hot skillet with a tiny bit of oil for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed. Be careful not to overcook—they’re already done, you’re just bringing them back to life!
Frequently Asked Questions
I use rib eye, New York strip, or tri-tip varieties for my air fryer steak bites recipe, but you can also use flank steak or sirloin steak. Authentic beef tips are typically made with sirloin and round cuts. Choose whichever cut is available in your budget and that you enjoy eating.
Preheat the air fryer 400°F and make sure your meat is at room temperature. Remember not to overcrowd the basket to ensure that the bites cook evenly, and let them rest, covered for at least 5 minutes before serving.
It’s generally very easy to avoid dried-out food thanks to the quick cook time! Using your air fryer is a great way to prep this steak recipe and is an easy and healthy quick dinner recipe.
Whether you enjoy your meat rare, medium, or well-done, the USDA does recommend a minimum internal temperature of 145°F to stay safe. If you are concerned, use a meat thermometer to test your air fryer steak tips before you dig in.
What should I serve with Steak Tips?
- Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
- Cheesy Asparagus Bake {No Fail!}
- Glazed Tarragon Carrots (Instant Pot or Stove Top)
- Instant Pot Rustic Mashed Potatoes {Stovetop & Crockpot too}
- Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
- Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners
- Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits (biscuits & skillet bread)
Be sure to browse through our other 30 Minute Meals.
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds lean steak (Ribeye, New York, TriTip, Sirloin) trimmed and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Steak Seasoning try my Carrabba's grill or Montreal, Italian seasoning or other favorite.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper to taste (optional)
- Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Trim steak of fat and cut into roughly 1 inch cubes, set aside. In a bowl make marinade and then toss the steak tips into the marinade, rubbing to coat all of the meat. You may also toss into a baggie if you prefer less mess. Let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (up to 4 hours refrigerated)
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. I love my Breville SmartOven, because of its larger capacity, if using a smaller air fryer you may need to make it in batches.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or place silicone liner down. Spread the meat in an even layer on the bottom of the tray, if necessary, cook in two batches.
- Cook beef tips for 7-9 minutes depending on desired doneness. Check on them, turning and cook for another 3 minutes or so. Remove from air fryer, place on dish, cover and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
- If desired, add some asparagus or broccoli (chopped small) tossed in a little olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Just push the meat to the side.
Notes
Stovetop Steak Tips
- Heat a heavy bottomed skillet (a cast iron pan would be great) over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons high heat oil (Avocado or Grapeseed oil work best under high heat).
- Then add ⅓ of the steak tips at a time, letting brown on one side before stirring to brown the other side.
- Brown about 3 minutes on the first side, then 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove and cover, repeating with remaining steak bites until done. Allow meat to rest covered 5-10 minutes.
Air Fryer Steak Tips with Garlic Butter sauce
Sauté some 1-2 cloves of minced garlic in 2-3 tablespoons of butter for 1 minute, then pour the garlic butter sauce over the steak tips, for the perfect air fryer steak. Fresh Tips- For even less clean up, use a plastic storage bag for the marinade. Simply discard once the beef is cooking.
- Don’t be tempted to overcrowd the basket! It’s better to cook in batches — the circulating heat will ensure a nice crispy and charred outer layer.
- Serve alongside with French fries, mashed potatoes, red potatoes, roasted vegetables, or pasta salad for a well-rounded meal.
Nutrition
Flank steaks with a balsamic or teriyaki marinade are on rotation in our house, as is this shaved steak cheesesteak sandwich or this indulgent Steak Bomb Recipe! When I really want to indulge, I make this Olive Garden Alfredo dish.
Erin
I made these last night for dinner, and our entire family gobbled them up! SO delicious and easy to make for a meal. There have already been requests to add this into the regular rotation!
Yippee! So happy to hear Erin! Thanks!
Julie
I’d never cooked meat in my air fryer before and couldn’t believe how tender and moist this recipe came out! I’ll be pulling my air fryer out a lot more often with your amazing tips!
So glad you tried something new and loved it!
Mindy
SUCH a great idea to cook this in the air fryer! It came out super yummy! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Thanks so much Mindy!
Michaela Kenkel
I had never made steak in my air fryer and I was actually kind of skeptical. But this recipe was complete perfection!!
Right!? I felt the same, love at first sight!
Susannah
I always need more ideas for what to make in my air fryer! These are going on the regular rotation. So good!
Yes!! So glad you loved it!
Nikki
We make these all the time in our air fryer. So juicy and tender!
Love hearing that Nikki, thank you!
Debbie
I have no plans on buying an air fryer, how can I make these without one?
Great question Debbie, Heat a heavy bottomed skillet (cast iron would be great) over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons high heat oil (Avocado or Grapeseed oil work best under high heat). Then add ⅓ of the steak tips at a time, letting brown on one side before stirring to brown the other side. About 3 minutes on the first side, then 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove and cover, repeating with remaining steak bites until done. Allow meat to rest covered 5-10 minutes. Adding to the recipe as well!