Description

This recipe features juicy sirloin steak bites cooked to perfection in an air fryer and coated with a tangy honey BBQ sauce. The steak cubes are seasoned, air-fried for a flavorful crust, and then tossed in a homemade sweet and smoky BBQ sauce with a hint of heat. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or a quick main dish, these steak bites deliver a punch of flavor with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak Bites:

1 lb sirloin steak or your preferred cut of steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tangy Honey BBQ Sauce:

½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

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Instructions

Prepare the Steak Bites: Cut the sirloin steak into bite-sized cubes. Season the cubes generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
Coat with Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the seasoned steak cubes, then toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated, which helps them crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat it for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking when you add the steak bites.
Cook the Steak Bites: Arrange the steak cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket; avoid overcrowding for best results. Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to cook in batches. Air fry at 400°F for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure all sides brown evenly.
Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: While the steak cooks, combine BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Simmer the Sauce: Stir the sauce mixture frequently until it begins to simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes so it thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
Toss Steak in Sauce: Transfer the cooked steak bites to a large bowl. Pour the warm tangy honey BBQ sauce over them and toss thoroughly to coat every piece.
Serve: Serve immediately as a delicious appetizer, snack, or main dish. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or extra BBQ sauce for added freshness and flavor.

Notes

For best texture, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook steak bites in batches if necessary.
You can adjust the heat by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare, 145°F (63°C) for medium.
Leftover steak bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This recipe works well with other cuts of steak like ribeye or strip steak but consider cooking times may vary.