Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Steak Bites

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes

• Total Time: 25 minutes

• Servings: 4 servings (approx. 5–6 bites per serving)

• Difficulty / Intensity Level: Medium-Low (Requires basic knife skills, simple wrapping, and monitoring internal temperatures)

• Cooking Heat Intensity: High Convection Heat (400°F / 200°C)

Ingredients Checklist

For the Steak Bites:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) Top Sirloin Steak, New York Strip, or Ribeye: Trimmed of excess hard fat and cut into uniform 1-inch to 1.25-inch cubes.

• 8–10 strips Thick-Cut Bacon: Par-cooked slightly or cut in half lengthwise/crosswise depending on thickness (thinner slices wrap easier; thick-cut produces maximum crunch).

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: Helps seasonings adhere evenly to the beef.

For the Steak Rub Seasoning:

• 1 tsp Garlic Powder

• 1 tsp Onion Powder

• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika (or Sweet Paprika)

• 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme or Italian Seasoning

• 1 tsp Coarse Sea Salt or Kosher Salt

• 1/2 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

For the Garlic Butter Finish (Optional but Recommended):

• 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted

• 2 cloves Garlic, minced finely

• 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prep and Season the Steak

1. Remove the steak from the refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes prior to cooking to bring it closer to room temperature. This promotes even cooking.

2. Pat the steak thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.

3. Cut the beef into uniform 1-inch cubes.

4. Place the steak cubes into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with avocado oil or olive oil.

5. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the steak cubes and toss until every piece is well coated.

Step 2: Par-Cook and Wrap with Bacon

1. Par-cooking the bacon (Crucial Tip): Because steak bites cook faster than bacon, pre-cooking the bacon slightly prevents chewy, undercooked bacon. Lay bacon slices on paper towels and microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, or sear in a pan for 2 minutes until pliable but not stiff.

2. Slice each bacon strip in half crosswise.

3. Take one piece of seasoned steak and wrap a half-strip of bacon tightly around its perimeter.

4. Secure the bacon slice with a wooden toothpick inserted straight through the center. Repeat for all remaining steak bites.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

1. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. High intensity heat is necessary to crisp the bacon skin rapidly while retaining the steak’s juiciness inside.

Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection

1. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a high-smoke-point oil spray (such as avocado oil spray).

2. Arrange the bacon-wrapped steak bites in a single layer inside the basket, leaving at least 1/2-inch space between each bite for hot air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary—do not overcrowd the basket.

3. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes:

   • Medium-Rare to Medium: 9–10 minutes (internal temp 135°F–145°F)

   • Medium-Well: 11–12 minutes (internal temp 150°F–155°F)

4. Flip the bites halfway through the cooking time (at the 5–6 minute mark) using tongs to ensure uniform browning and bacon crispiness on all sides.

Step 5: Toss in Garlic Butter and Serve

1. While the bites are air frying, combine melted butter and minced garlic in a shallow bowl.

2. Carefully transfer the hot steak bites from the air fryer into the bowl with the garlic butter. Toss gently to coat.

3. Remove toothpicks prior to serving if desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately while hot.

Pro Tips for Air Fryer Success

• Cut Uniform Sizes: Cutting beef cubes into equal dimensions ensures every piece finishes cooking at the exact same moment.

• Don’t Skip Toothpicks: Wooden toothpicks prevent bacon from unraveling due to the rapid internal fan air circulation inside the air fryer. Soak toothpicks in water for 10 minutes beforehand if you’re concerned about charring.

• Prevent Air Fryer Smoke: Bacon grease dripping to the bottom of the basket can sometimes smoke. To prevent this, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or a thin piece of bread to the bottom drawer beneath the basket to catch rendering fat.

Storage, Reheating & Meal Prep

Storage Guidelines:

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cooked bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

• Freezing: You can freeze raw, assembled bacon-wrapped steak bites on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Air fry directly from frozen at 380°F (190°C) for 14–16 minutes.

Reheating Instructions:

To retain crispiness, avoid microwave reheating. Instead, place leftovers back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes until warm and re-crisped.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional values are estimates per serving (based on 4 servings with sirloin steak and standard bacon).