Our steak bites and gnocchi are a viral sensation! We’ve adapted our favorite easy dinner recipe to the air fryer, making it even more convenient than ever. If you’re looking for an easy, restaurant-quality meal, this one delivers with juicy, flavorful marinated steak and crispy, golden gnocchi.
For the original, check out our pan-fried stovetop version of steak bites and gnocchi.
Why Our Recipe
- Flavorful marinated steak bites with buttery, golden potato gnocchi.
- Easy air fryer recipe for a complete meal that is always a family favorite.
- Restaurant-quality perfection from your air fryer!
We love our steak bites and gnocchi because of the savory, tender beef and the convenient but delicious gnocchi, and we know you will too. Our air fryer version is just another way to make it, and you’ll absolutely love how easy it is to put together. It’s also a smaller portion, so you can make this for a smaller group, but don’t worry—you’ll still get all that perfect flavor that you love in our classic recipe!
Ingredient Notes
- Steak: This is the star of the dish. We suggest using sirloin steak, but you can also use tenderloin, ribeye, or strip steak.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best for flavor, but bottled lemon juice also works.
- Olive Oil: You can also use avocado oil.
- Worcestershire Sauce: If you don’t have it, soy sauce can be used.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps tenderize the steak. White vinegar or red wine vinegar are the closest substitutes.
- Packaged Gnocchi: You can use shelf-stable dried gnocchi usually found in the pasta aisle or use refrigerated gnocchi often found in the deli section. Frozen gnocchi can also work, but can end up mushy. If using frozen, don’t thaw it first.
- Garlic: Freshly minced has the best flavor, but the jarred variety can also work.
- Parmesan Cheese: We like to sprinkle some on top for serving. Freshly grated melts best.
Beef Options
The most important rule: buy what you can afford and enjoy! Sirloin steak is our top pick for the balance between flavor and price. If you’re feeling fancy, go for beef tenderloin for an ultra-luxurious soft and tender steak bite. Ribeye and strip steak are also excellent options with great marbling which means flavor.
Keep an eye on your cooking time to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat. For best results, trim away excess fat or sinew before marinating to ensure nobody gets a chewy piece.
Adding a Veggie
Adding veggies like asparagus or broccoli is a great way to round out the meal. When tossing the gnocchi with butter and garlic, add in 1 cup of bite-size broccoli florets or asparagus tips. Add an additional tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil and toss to coat. For tender-crisp asparagus, toss them separately with olive oil and add during the last 4–5 minutes of cooking.
Marinating Time
While the recipe suggests marinating for 1 to 8 hours, even 30 minutes will make a difference when you are really short on time. For busy weeknights, you can dice and marinate your steak ahead of time, then freeze the marinated steak for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and your steak will be ready to cook when you are.
Air Fryer Tips
Use a Parchment Liner: To make cleanup easier and prevent sticking, consider using an air fryer-safe parchment liner.
Avoid Overcrowding and Remember to Toss: Air fryers vary in size and capacity. Avoid overcrowding the basket so you can allow for airflow. Cook in two separate batches if necessary based on the size of your air fryer. For best results, toss or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
Monitor Cook Time Closely: Air fryers cook quickly, and steak bites are easy to overcook. Keep an eye on your food, especially during the final minutes of cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness (135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium).
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F. Place the leftovers in the basket and reheat for 3–5 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the steak bites are warmed through and the gnocchi is crispy again.
I made this today and was AWESOME!!! Will be a staple for me. I’m single so I halved the recipe but it was enough for later too!!
I made this for my husband it was delicious! I cooked the gnocchi a little too long and it was still very good!
At which point would i add any veggies? i love the pan fry version of this recipe and always add broccolini or broccoli
Broccoli and broccolini needs about 8-10 minutes in the air fryer. So depending on how well done you like the steak, you’d add them in at the beginning or with the steak. Coat them lightly with oil and seasoning. For me, I’d add them in at the beginning with the gnocchi.
Do I take the gnocchi out of the air fryer before I add in the steak?
Nope! You just add the steak. Gnocchi takes longer to cook than the steak so it just needs a little head start.
I made this and it tasted very good. It was easy to prepare and it didn’t take long at all.
Not everyone has an air fryer. Maybe post directions for stove top or oven.
A great idea! We actually have an entirely separate set of instructions for the stovetop and this recipe is for the air fryer version which was requested. We noted it right up at the top, first thing. Is there another place that would have been more helpful for you? Here it is again: https://thestayathomechef.com/steak-bites-and-gnocchi/
How long for medium?
Cooking time is a rough estimate because it’s highly dependent on the exact size of your steak bites, but it’s going to be 1-2 minutes longer.
How can I do this on the stovetop? I have a cast iron skillet . Do I need to precook the gnocchi ?
The original recipe is a stovetop version which you can find here: https://thestayathomechef.com/steak-bites-and-gnocchi/