Air Fryer Steak Tips
Serve your family steak any night of the week with these delicious and juicy air fryer steak tips ready in less than 30 minutes.
My family loves steak, but it’s not always possible to fit a steak dinner for four into my grocery budget. That’s why I love preparing these seasoned steak tips. When served with a few sides, like garlic red skin mashed potatoes or BLT Wedge Salads, my family gets the flavor of steak that they crave without carving a huge chunk out of my grocery budget. Another plus: These are prepared in the air fryer, so we can have steak any night of the week — even on busy weeknights.
Looking for a dessert you can make in the air fryer? Check out this recipe for Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists.
“I made this recipe. As simple the ingredients and steps are, WOW! They are delicious! Great flavor. My neighbor said it smells amazing, like Shepherds pie.”
-Jeff
Recipe at a glance
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Jump to:
- Recipe at a glance
- What are steak tips?
- The pros and cons of cooking steak tips in the air fryer
- Ingredients you will need
- Substitutions and variations
- How to tenderize air fryer steak tips
- How to make air fryer steak tips
- Steak cooking times
- Storage, freezing and reheating instructions
- Serving suggestions
- Air fryer steak tips FAQ’s
- More great side dish recipes
- Air Fryer Steak Tips
What are steak tips?
Steak tips are cubed beef cut from sirloin, the part of the cow just under the ribs and in front of the hip. They are not the same as beef tips, which usually come from cheaper cuts of meat such as chuck. Sirloin is leaner and more tender than chuck, which works well for dishes that do not require long cooking times to break down the muscle fibers.
Best cut of beef for steak tips
I wanted to keep this recipe relatively budget-friendly, so I selected a round round tip roast, also known as sirloin tip roast. Depending on where you live, it may also be called French roll roast, knuckle roast, ball tip roast, bald tip roast or just tip roast. It is an affordable cut that, when prepared correctly, still has that juicy steak flavor.
The pros and cons of cooking steak tips in the air fryer
Despite the name, air fryers aren’t fryers. They are little countertop convection ovens. The combination of the heating element and the fan circulates hot air for a faster and more even cooking time. Though it is possible to achieve a nice crispy crust on some fried foods, they aren’t actually fried.
Pros
- Shorter cook time. I can prepare food in a fraction of the time that it would take to cook something in my oven, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
- It’s hands-off. There is no standing over a skillet on the stove. I can place these in the air fryer basket, set the cook time and go work on side dishes while it’s cooking.
- Easy clean up. I don’t have grease splattering all over like I would if I cooked these in a skillet on the stove.
- Less grease. The basket insert allows grease to drip off the meat and away from my food. Not so if these were prepared in a skillet or in the oven.
Cons
- Little to no caramelization. I will offer some tips to help with that later, but there is not going to be a nice crusty sear on the outside like you would get from a grill or hot skillet. A longer cook time does allow some caramelization to develop, but you run the risk of overcooking and ending up with chewy meat.
Ingredients you will need
Juicy air fryer steak bites requires nine ingredients. Many of these you may already have in your cabinet. To make this recipe, you’ll need:
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Top Sirloin – A lean yet flavorful cut of beef that becomes tender and juicy when cooked in the air fryer. Its firm texture makes it perfect for bite-sized steak tips.
- Baking Soda – A quick soak in baking soda helps break down tough muscle fibers, tenderizing the steak without changing its flavor.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances the natural beefy flavor and helps the meat retain moisture during cooking.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – A classic flavor duo that adds a rich, savory base — giving the steak depth and that irresistible steakhouse aroma.
- Black Pepper – Adds just the right amount of heat and sharpness to balance the rich beef flavor.
- Dried Thyme – Lends a subtle earthiness and herbal note that pairs beautifully with the garlic and onion.
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasoning adhere to the meat while promoting a golden, caramelized crust in the air fryer.
Substitutions and variations
Different Cuts of Beef:
If you don’t have top sirloin, try ribeye, New York strip, or flat iron steak. These cuts are naturally tender and deliver rich, beefy flavor.
Other Proteins:
Swap beef for cubed chicken breast, pork tenderloin, or even lamb for a fun twist — just adjust cooking times as needed.
Seasoning Swaps:
- For a smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
- For a zesty kick, mix in a little cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a steakhouse-style rub, add a pinch of brown sugar and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Fresh Herbs:
If you prefer fresh thyme or rosemary instead of dried, double the amount and add it just before cooking for a burst of freshness.
Oil Options:
Olive oil works great, but avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil can also be used for their high smoke points and neutral flavor.
Add Vegetables:
Toss in bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms before air frying for an easy steak-and-veggie meal in one basket.
How to tenderize air fryer steak tips
While sirloin is more tender than a cheap chuck roast, it’s not as tender as a premium cut. Therefore, it does benefit from some tenderization. We are going to use a technique commonly used in Chinese cuisine called velveting.
Velveting is the process of marinating tough cuts of meat in a slurry of baking soda and water. It may sound weird to marinate meat in baking soda, but there is a scientific explanation behind it. Long story short, the baking soda prevents the proteins in the meat from bonding together and making your meat chewy. Trust me, once you learn this technique, you’ll be using it all the time.
Step 1: Dissolve the baking soda in the water.
Step 2: Add the steak pieces and stir to coat the meat with the slurry. Let the steak bites soak in the dissolved baking soda for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Drain the water and thoroughly rinse the meat. We don’t want the baking soda to affect the flavor of the beef, that’s why it’s important to rinse the baking soda thoroughly.
Step 4: Spread the steak pieces out on paper towels and gently blot dry. Let them air dry for a few minutes while you mix the seasoning blend. We want the surface of the meat as dry as possible so we can get a bit of color as it cooks.
How to make air fryer steak tips
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme. Drizzle olive oil over the steak tips, toss to coat, and sprinkle with half the seasoning. Stir and repeat with the remaining seasoning.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray and spread the steak tips out in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook according to the chart below for your desired doneness.
Step 3: Let the steak tips rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? You will love Chili Rubbed Air Fryer Bone In Pork Chops, Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs, Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Catfish, and Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon.
Steak cooking times
- Medium Rare: 3 minutes per side (6 minutes total)
- Medium Well: 4 minutes per side (8 minutes total)
- Well Done: 5 minutes per side (10 minutes total)
Storage, freezing and reheating instructions
Storage. Air fryer steak tips should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours. Consume within four days.
Freezing. Store steak tips in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Consume within three months. Thaw before reheating.
Reheating. You will want to be careful reheating steak tips because you could run the risk of overcooking the meat, leaving the texture tough and chewy. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F for five minutes. Then add the steak tips to the basket and heat for 1-3 minutes until the steak is heated through.
Serving suggestions
- Twice baked potatoes or marinated asparagus for a hearty meal
- Roasted corn salad with honey lime dressing
- Mashed cauliflower gratin with cheese and buttery breadcrumb topping.
- Dipping sauces like Mississippi comeback sauce or red wine mushroom sauce.
Air fryer steak tips FAQ’s
Yes, rosemary is a woodsy herb that holds up well to heat and pairs nicely with steak. You could also omit the thyme entirely.
Stew meat is a tougher cut of meat than sirloin. It’s meant for dishes that are cooked slow and slow. Even by tenderizing the stew meat with baking soda, I still don’t recommend using it for this dish.
It’s best to thaw them first. Frozen steak tips won’t cook evenly in the air fryer and may turn out chewy instead of tender.
Yes! Cooked steak tips can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 2–3 minutes to restore that crispy exterior.
Tried This Recipe? Let Me Know!
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If you made Air Fryer Steak Tips, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Your ratings and reviews help others find the recipe and give me great feedback too.
Air Fryer Steak Tips
Ingredients
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup of water
- 2 pounds top sirloin fat removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking soda and the water until the baking soda is dissolved. Add the meat and stir. Let the meat stand for 15 minutes, then drain the water and rinse the baking soda off the meat.
- Spread the steak tips out on a layer of paper towels. Gently blot any excess moisture from the surface of the meat. Let the steak tips continue to air dry while you mix the seasonings.
- Combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and thyme. Drizzle the meat with the olive oil and stir to coat. Sprinkle the meat with half the seasoning, stir, then repeat with the other half.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for five minutes. Spray the bottom of the basket with cooking spray. Spread the steak tips out in an even layer in the basket. If you have a small air fryer, you may have to do this in batches. Don’t overcrowd the meat.
- Cook the steak tips at 400 degrees for three minutes. Flip the steak tips or shake the basket, then cook for another three minutes, six minutes total for medium rare. Add two minutes to the cooking time for medium well and four minutes to the cooking time for well done.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the baking soda soak! It’s the secret to tender, restaurant-quality steak bites.
- Avoid overcrowding. Giving the meat room allows it to brown instead of steam.
- Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure about doneness — aim for 130°F for medium rare, 140°F for medium, and 150°F for well done.
- Experiment with flavors. Add a dash of smoked paprika or a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper flavor.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Cindy! Thank you for coming back and leaving a comment and review.
Wow – these are perfect! So easy to make and so very very tender. Thank you for sharing – this recipe is a keeper!
(Saw previous post about it being too salty – which is just a preference – so I adjusted to the amount I thought would work for us and it was great for me – and my husband just added a little more in his plate. Problem solved.)
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Jeff! Thank you for coming back and leaving a review.
I made this recipe. As simple the ingredients and steps are, WOW! They are delicious! Great flavor. My neighbor said it smells amazing, like Shepherds pie.
Sorry the recipe was not to your liking, Roy.
I found this seasoning to be way too salty…would not make it again.