You can enjoy this Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with less guilt than the traditional deep-fried version. All the comfort, none of the remorse!
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What is Chicken Fried Steak?
I didnโt discover chicken fried steak until I was an adult. It wasnโt something I grew up with. I wasnโt even sure if it was chicken or steak when I first heard of it!
It turns out, chicken fried steak is pretty much what you might guess from the name. Itโs steak prepared like fried chicken (coated with flour and deep fried).
When pan fried, this dish is usually referred to as country fried steak. So, perhaps when cooking it in an air fryer, we should come up with an entirely new term.
But, since Iโm not that clever or creative, Iโm simply referring to it as Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak. Another option if you want to avoid pan frying is this Oven Baked Chicken Fried Steak.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Kid-friendly: Coating almost anything in a crispy crust makes it more appealing to kids and this dish is no exception.
- Inexpensive: Don’t be fooled by the word “steak” in its name. Cube steak is remarkably affordable and prepared this way, it’s not dry or tough.
- Healthier alternative: Thanks to air frying, this version of chicken fried steak cuts the calories and fat significantly.
- Simple ingredients: You just need a handful of kitchen staples for this dish so you can make it any time you need a fast, home-cooked meal.
Ingredients / Shopping List
- 4 cube steaks
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 tablespoons of Morton’s Nature’s seasoning
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1 cup milk
- salt
- pepper
Substitutions and Additions
Cube Steak : This is the cut of meat commonly used for traditional chicken fried steak and since itโs so inexpensive and works well here, try to stick to it. If, for some reason, you canโt find cube steak at your local grocery store, you can take a top round steak or top sirloin steak and pound it with a mallet to 1/4 inch thick.
Eggs: Beaten eggs work the best for getting the flour to stick, but if you’ve run out you can substitute milk (buttermilk is better if you have it).
Natureโs Seasoning : I like this all-in-one seasoning that is the perfect blend of flavors I use frequently, but you can also make your own with salt, black pepper, dried parsley, onion powder and garlic powder.
Gravy : The gravy is really easy to make (itโs just butter, flour, and milk). You can use a packaged white gravy or country gravy instead, but it wonโt really save you any time or effort.
Make it Spicy: If you want to kick up the heat, add some cayenne pepper to the flour mixture and/or some hot sauce to the egg mixture.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
- Air fryer
- Medium mixing bowl
- Shallow dish
- Saucepan
- Whisk
How to Make Country Fried Steak in an Air Fryer
Youโll have to get your hands a little dirty for this air fryer steak recipe (hard to avoid whenever coating food is involved), but itโs not hard at all. Start to finish, this meal should be ready in half an hour.
Before you begin, preheat air fryer to 390ยฐF.
Step 1: Prepare Breading
Begin by beating the eggs together in a medium bowl. In a separate shallow dish, stir together the flour and seasoning.
Step 2: Coat Steaks in Breading
Next, dredge each cubed steak in the flour mixture. We want a nice, thick coating so really press the steaks into the flour and make sure theyโre covered completely.
Then, dip the steak in the beaten eggs, again focusing on a good, even coating. Coat them with the flour mixture once again.
Step 3: Air Fry
Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then, place each steak piece in the air fryer basket.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the breaded steak in batches. Itโs important to leave room around each steak for the air to flow and crisp the coating.
Cook at 390ยฐF for 7 minutes, then flip them over and continue cooking for an additional 7 minutes for a total of 14 minutes of cook time.
Step 4: Make Gravy
While the steaks are cooking in the air fryer, you can go ahead and make the gravy.
Add half a stick of butter to a saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is fully melted, whisk in 1/4 cup of flour. Continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and golden brown.
Continue whisking as you add the milk and bring to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
If you want extra flavor, add some garlic powder and onion powder too.
If the gravy is too thick, add more milk.
When the steaks are done, remove them to a plate and pour the gravy over them.
What to Serve with Chicken Fried Steak
- Mashed Potatoes or Baked Potato
- Biscuits (with honey butter or a garlic butter)
- Corn on the Cob
- Green Beans
- Glazed Carrots
Other Recipes
If you’re looking for another air fryer recipe the whole family will love, try this Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich.
Although I didn’t grow up in the south, I’m a big fan of southern dishes and flavors. You’ll see some of that inspiration in these Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Waffles.
Another healthier version of a popular comfort food — this Instant Pot Low-Carb Chicken Parmesan is one of my favorites!
๐ Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy
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Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Shallow dish
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Morton's Nature's Seasons
- Cooking spray
For Gravy
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. In a separate shallow dish, stir together the flour and seasoning.
- Dredge each steak in the flour mixture.
- Dip the steak in the beaten eggs and coat them with flour once again.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping. If necessary, cook the steaks in batches.
- Cook at 390ยฐF for 14 minutes, flipping each steak over halfway through.
For the Gravy
- While the steaks are cooking, add half a stick of butter to a saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is fully melted, whisk in 1/4 cup of flour. Continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and golden brown.
- Whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
It’s chicken fried steak only when it’s cooked in oil leftover from fried chicken. Anything else is called country fried steak, so this would be country air fried chicken
Thank you for sharing that information. Also, according to the food network, “country-fried steak is flour-dusted and usually served with brown gravy and onions, chicken-fried steak is breaded with eggs and served with cream gravy.” So, since my recipe is breaded with eggs and served with cream gravy, that’s why I referred to it as chicken fried steak.
I appreciate easy recipes like this. Very convenient for busy weeknights! Thanks for this.