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Air Fryer Tangy Honey BBQ Steak Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 53 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Air Fryer Tangy Honey BBQ Steak Bites are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish, featuring tender sirloin steak cubes cooked to perfection in an air fryer and coated in a homemade tangy, sweet, and smoky honey BBQ sauce.


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)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Steak Bites: Cut the sirloin steak into bite-sized cubes and season them generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
  2. Coat with Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the seasoned steak cubes and toss well to ensure each piece is evenly coated, helping them crisp up during cooking.
  3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s at the right temperature for quick and even cooking.
  4. Cook the Steak Bites: Place the steak cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote uniform browning and cook to your preferred doneness.
  5. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: While the steak cooks, combine the 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. Stir frequently until the sauce simmers and thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat once ready.
  6. Toss Steak in Sauce: Transfer the cooked steak bites to a large bowl and pour the warm tangy honey BBQ sauce over them. Toss thoroughly to coat all bites evenly with the delicious sauce.
  7. Serve: Serve immediately as a tasty appetizer, snack, or main dish. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce for additional flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Ensure steak pieces are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and browning.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes based on your preferred heat level or omit for a milder flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.