Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak | Country Fried Steak Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is a traditional Southern dinner, but I've taken this classic dish and cooked it in my Air Fryer. I love having a comforting meal without all the extra calories from the deep fryer, and less of a mess (and grease smell) in my kitchen. Country Fried Steak is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner!

What Makes This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak Recipe So Good?

• Fast. Done in less than 30 minutes start to finish.
• Easy. Just dredge, cook, and serve.
• Healthy. Skip the deep fat frying for this air fryer recipe.
• Family-Friendly. Your whole family will love this meal.
• Versatile. Serve with your favorite side dish.
• Little Cleanup. The only mess will be the dredging station and wiping out the air fryer after.

The ease of cooking this Chicken Fried Steak in your Air Fryer may be your new favorite way to indulge in comfort food. You can add it to your favorite Air Fryer chicken recipes. You will not miss the deep-fried calories when you taste the crispiness of the breading.

What I have done, is take the same concept, and cook it in the Air Fryer so you can have dinner on the table in less time. While the steaks are cooking in the Air Fryer, you can be making the gravy. Only one saucepan is on your stove!

What is Country Fried Steak?

Country Fried Steak is an American dish, very familiar in Southern cooking. Simply, it is a breaded piece of meat, usually cube steak, that is dredged in a flour mixture with spices and then traditionally pan-fried.

Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been flattened and tenderized leaving little indentations in the meat. It is easily available in the grocery store and is very affordable.

How Do You Keep Breading On Chicken Fried Steak?

• Dip the cutlet into dry ingredients, then the liquid mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg. Repeat those steps once more, dry ingredients, and then liquid again.
• Make sure to shake off the excess flour and buttermilk between dunkings.
• As long as you spray the steaks with cooking spray liberally on both sides, they will taste as good as deep-fried chicken fried steak.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the Steaks

• 2 Cube Steaks- The main protein and base of the recipe.
• ¾ cup All-Purpose Flour- It creates the crispy coating that gives chicken fried steak its signature crunch when cooked in the air fryer.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper- Adds mild heat and depth of flavor to the breading.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the flavors and balances the richness of the beef and flour coating.
• ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika- Provides a subtle smoky undertone and adds a golden color to the crust.
• ½ teaspoon Onion Powder- Infuses a mild, savory sweetness that complements the garlic and beef.
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder- Adds savory depth and aroma to the breading mixture.
• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper- Gives a hint of spice that brightens the flavor without overpowering it.
• 2 teaspoons Crumbled Dried Sage- Adds an earthy, herbal note that gives the breading a Southern-inspired flavor profile.
• ¾ cup Buttermilk- Tenderizes the steak and helps the flour mixture adhere. Its tangy flavor balances the richness of the coating.
• 1 teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce- Adds a touch of heat and flavor to the buttermilk mixture, complementing the cayenne pepper.
• 1 Egg- Helps bind the breading to the steak, ensuring it sticks well and forms a cohesive crust when air fried.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray- Lightly coats the breaded steaks to promote even browning and crispiness in the air fryer without excess oil.

For the Gravy

• 4 tablespoons Butter- Forms the base of the gravy, adding richness and helping the flour cook into a roux.
• 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour- Thickens the gravy when combined with butter and milk, creating a smooth, velvety texture.
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper- Adds a bold, slightly spicy flavor characteristic of classic country-style gravy.
• ½ teaspoon Salt- Balances the flavors of the creamy gravy and enhances the seasoning.
• ¼ teaspoon Garlic Salt- Adds extra savory depth and complements the buttery, peppery notes.
• ½ cup Whole Milk- Provides creaminess and helps form the base of the gravy.
• ½ cup Heavy Cream- Adds luxurious richness and a silky finish to the gravy, making it smooth and indulgent.

How To Make Chicken Fried Steak In The Air Fryer

1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, pepper, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and sage.

2. Whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg.

3. Season steaks and pat dry. Let stand for 5 minutes before dredging.

4. Dredge the steaks, twice. Flour, buttermilk, flour, buttermilk. Make sure to shake off the excess in between dredges. After the double dredge, press any remaining flour into the steaks and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

5. Place the steaks in the Air Fryer and spray them with cooking spray. Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.

6. Make the gravy! Combine the melted butter and flour for the roux over low heat. Then add the seasonings. Turn heat up to medium-low, and add milk and whipping cream until thick, about 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the steak is cooked at 145 degrees.

8. Pour that flavorful country gravy over the finished Air Fried Chicken Fried Steak.

Tips and Tricks

Making Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is a great way to enjoy this Southern classic with less oil and mess, but still plenty of crunch and flavor. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your steaks turn out perfectly every time:

• Make sure to let the steaks sit for 5 minutes after seasoning and patting dry, and before dredging.
• Flip steaks over at 4 minutes of fry time and lightly spray the other side for even crispiness!
• Can use chicken instead of cube steak, and make chicken fried chicken. Use chicken breast, butterfly them, use plastic wrap and a mallet to make them into thin cutlets and follow the recipe.
• If you want a lower carb version of this recipe, you could use a combination of almond flour and grated Parmesan cheese. I have not tested this recipe using those ingredients.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak

How Long Does It Last?

Chicken Fried Steak made in the air fryer will last just as long as you would expect any other leftover cube steak recipe to last. For best results, I would plan on serving any leftovers within 3 days. While you may be able to get it to safely stretch another 1-2 days after that point, the breading will begin to lose its integrity more every day after it is cooked.

How To Reheat It

Believe it or not, reheating this comfort food is even more simple than making it! Oftentimes fried food isn't the most appetizing thing to enjoy as a leftover because the breading can become soggy if it isn't heated correctly. For the best results, here's how I would recommend reheating this air fryer chicken fried steak:

Before storing your leftovers,

• Store the steaks separately from any other ingredients.
• Pat any excess mositure from the meat.

To reheat the steaks:

1. Set your air fryer to 325F and allow to preheat. I'm not normally an advocate for preheating the air fryer, but for the crispiest leftovers, preheating is idea.
2. Place the leftover meat in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Cook the leftovers for 5-7 minutes, flipping half way through.
4. Remove the chicken fried steak from your air fryer and place on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
5. Serve and enjoy.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze air fryer chicken fried steak to enjoy later with great results. After cooking, let the steaks cool completely to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause sogginess.

Once cooled, place each piece on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour, or until firm. Then, transfer the frozen steaks to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, reheat the frozen steaks directly in the air fryer at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until hot and crispy. For more tips and tricks, check out my guide on how to cook frozen food in an air fryer.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• These juicy, flavorful Air Fryer Pork Chops use Porchetta seasonings to create a tasty fennel-spiced pork chop in just a few minutes.
• These Keto Chicken Tenders are the absolute best low carb breaded chicken tenders out there! They're so good and so easy to make in your air fryer.
• My Air Fryer Cheese Biscuits are the perfect little scrumptious morsels for parties. They make a great appetizer, as well as wonderful vegetarian side dishes.
• Philly Cheesesteak - Made fast and easy in your air fryer.

Looking for more great steak recipes? Check out my Perfect Sous Vide Steak Recipe!

And if you're looking for more great comfort food recipes, check out my Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice, my Keto Meatloaf or my Air Fryer Toad in the Hole!

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