Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

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!

Jump to:

• What is Chicken Fried Steak?
• Why We Love This Recipe
• Ingredients / Shopping List
• Substitutions and Additions
• Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• How to Make Country Fried Steak in an Air Fryer
• What to Serve with Chicken Fried Steak
• Other Recipes
• 📋 Recipe

What is Chicken Fried Steak?

I didn’t discover chicken fried steak until I was an adult. It wasn’t something I grew up with. I wasn’t 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. It’s 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 I’m not that clever or creative, I’m 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 it’s so inexpensive and works well here, try to stick to it. If, for some reason, you can’t 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). 

Nature’s 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 (it’s just butter, flour, and milk). You can use a packaged white gravy or country gravy instead, but it won’t 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

You’ll have to get your hands a little dirty for this air fryer steak recipe (hard to avoid whenever coating food is involved), but it’s not hard at all. Start to finish, this meal should be ready in half an hour.

Before you begin, preheat air fryer to 390°F.

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 they’re 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. It’s important to leave room around each steak for the air to flow and crisp the coating.

Cook at 390°F 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!

📋 Recipe

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!