Cajun air fryer steak bites with peppers make a colorful, speedy dinner with browned edges and a little kick. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 3 minutes, then cook the steak and peppers for approximately 9–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The exact time depends on the size of your steak cubes and how your air fryer cooks, so check the beef with a thermometer rather than relying on the timer alone.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless sirloin steak, cut into roughly 1-inch cubes
- 1 large bell pepper, any color, cut into roughly 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
This short ingredient list lets the savory steak and sweet pepper do most of the work. Cajun blends vary in salt and heat, so taste your seasoning before deciding whether the finished dish needs anything extra.
How To Make It
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Cut it into even cubes and remove any large pieces of gristle. Cut the pepper into similarly sized pieces so it cooks alongside the beef.
- Preheat the empty air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 3 minutes. Toss the steak and pepper with the oil and Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture in the basket in a loose, mostly single layer. Cook for 9–12 minutes, shaking after about 5 minutes. Start checking the thickest steak bites near the early end of the range; continue cooking as needed until a thermometer inserted from the side reads at least 145°F (63°C).
- Transfer the steak and peppers to a serving dish and let the beef rest for at least 3 minutes before eating. Serve warm over rice, tucked into tortillas, or alongside a simple salad.
Tips
Leave room for airflow. If your basket is small, cook in batches rather than piling up the steak. Crowding makes it harder to brown the bites evenly, and a second batch may cook faster in an already-hot fryer.
Keep the pieces consistent. Roughly 1-inch cubes give you a practical starting point for the suggested time. Smaller pieces can cook quickly; larger ones may need a few more minutes. Use the thermometer to guide you, not the color of the crust.
Adjust the heat at the table. A squeeze of lemon brightens the finished dish, while extra Cajun seasoning adds more punch. Check the blend’s salt level before sprinkling on more.
Dinner is ready to scoop up and enjoy!
