Experience the ultimate comfort food with a modern twist! This incredibly crispy and tender Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak, smothered in a rich, peppery white country gravy, transforms a beloved classic into a healthier, quick-cook weeknight dinner. Say goodbye to excessive oil and hello to a perfectly golden-brown crust, all ready in about 30 minutes. Who knew authentic Southern flavor could be so effortless and guilt-free?
Have you ever found yourself craving that quintessential Southern comfort meal, Googling “best chicken fried steak near me,” only to wish you could replicate that deliciousness at home without the fuss and grease? Well, prepare to have your culinary dreams come true! This guide will show you how to make an incredibly easy and mouthwatering chicken fried steak right in your air fryer.
Imagine a meal that brings together the satisfying crunch of expertly fried chicken and the hearty tenderness of steak, all topped with a velvety, peppery gravy. Now, imagine achieving all that in under 30 minutes, with significantly fewer calories than its deep-fried counterpart. That’s the magic of this Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe! Designed for two people, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a quick, satisfying treat.
Looking for more speedy and delicious weeknight dinner ideas? Don’t miss my Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan Bake (5 ingredients!) or my elegant Salmon & Shrimp with Lemon Caper Sauce!
This post is proudly sponsored by Paisley Farm Foods, bringing you delicious and convenient options to enhance your home cooking. All opinions and love for their products are genuinely my own!
Mastering the Art of Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken Fried Steak is a beloved Southern dish, often celebrated for its tender, flavorful steak encased in a crispy, seasoned coating, much like traditional fried chicken. The “chicken fried” in its name refers not to the meat itself, but to this distinctive cooking style. Typically, it’s made with tenderized steak, such as cube steak or round steak, which ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture beneath the crunchy crust.
While often confused with “country-fried steak,” there are subtle yet important distinctions. Country-fried steak is usually dusted with flour and often served with a savory brown gravy, sometimes accompanied by onions. Chicken fried steak, however, is traditionally breaded with an egg wash and breadcrumbs (or seasoned flour, as we’ll do here for optimal air frying crispness), and most notably, it’s served with a creamy, peppery white gravy. Our air fryer method perfectly captures the essence of this classic, delivering incredible flavor and texture with significantly less oil.
Your Secret to a Stress-Free Delicious Dinner
At Paisley Farm Foods, their mission aligns perfectly with mine: to bring you incredibly tasty, homemade meals without all the fuss. They believe in creating foods you can feel great about serving your family, combining convenience with wholesome goodness.
This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe is a testament to that philosophy, coming together remarkably quickly. And what pairs better with a comforting meal than a delicious and nutritious side? Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad is the ideal accompaniment – simply open a jar, pour it into a bowl, and serve. It’s that easy, and it can be our little secret how effortlessly you crafted such a fantastic meal!
Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy
Crafting the perfect air fryer chicken fried steak starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that desirable crispy crust and tender interior, topped with a luscious gravy.
For the Crispy Steaks:
- Cube Steaks: These are pre-tenderized and flattened cuts of beef, often from the round. Their texture is perfect for quickly absorbing marinades and achieving tenderness when cooked. If you can’t find cube steaks, a thin-sliced round steak that you tenderize yourself will also work.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Unlike regular breadcrumbs, panko is known for its larger, flakier texture. This allows it to absorb less oil, resulting in a much crispier, lighter coating that adheres beautifully in the air fryer.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the foundational layer of our breading, helping the panko adhere and contributing to the golden-brown crispness. It’s often enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.
- Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances all the other flavors in the breading. Adjust to your personal preference.
- Black Pepper: Provides a subtle warmth and peppery bite that complements the savory steak and rich gravy perfectly.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a wonderful earthy, aromatic depth to the coating, elevating the overall flavor profile.
- Paprika: Offers a sweet, mild pepper flavor and contributes to the beautiful golden color of the crust without adding any heat.
- Garlic Powder: Preferred over raw garlic for its smooth distribution and to prevent stickiness during the breading process, infusing the steak with savory garlic notes.
- Onion Powder: Ensures a rich, savory onion flavor that disperses evenly throughout the coating, enhancing the overall umami of the dish.
- Egg: Acts as the crucial binder, helping the seasoned flour and panko bread crumbs firmly adhere to the steak for a consistent, crispy crust.
- Buttermilk: Provides a slightly tangy flavor and helps to tenderize the meat while creating a creamy base for the breading to cling to. No buttermilk on hand? Make this easy homemade substitute!
For the Creamy White Peppered Gravy:
- Butter: The foundation of our roux, melting beautifully to combine with the flour and begin building the gravy’s flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating a smooth roux with the butter, which thickens the gravy to a perfect consistency and helps it reheat well.
- Whole Milk: The liquid base that transforms the roux into a rich, creamy gravy. Whole milk provides the best texture and flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Crucial for seasoning the gravy to perfection, adding that signature peppery kick that defines a true country gravy. Adjust to your liking.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy
Follow these simple instructions to achieve a perfectly crispy and tender air fryer chicken fried steak, complete with a delicious homemade white gravy.
1. Prepare the Steaks (Dry & Temper)
Remove your cube steaks from the refrigerator and let them rest on the counter for about 10-15 minutes. This brings them closer to room temperature, ensuring more even cooking. Before you begin the breading process, gently pat both sides of each steak completely dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the breading adhere properly.
2. Set Up Your Breading Stations (Mix)
In a shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly with a fork until well combined. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the large egg and buttermilk until smooth. These two bowls will be your breading stations.
3. Double Dredge for Maximum Crispness (Shake & Dunk)
First, take one piece of prepared cube steak and press it firmly into the dry flour mixture, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Give it a gentle shake to remove any excess flour. Next, immediately dunk the flour-coated steak into the egg and buttermilk mixture, making sure both sides are completely covered. Finally, place the steak back into the dry flour mixture and press it firmly again, coating both sides completely. This double-dredging technique is key for a truly crispy air fryer chicken fried steak!
4. Let the Breading Set (Press & Rest)
Once coated, place the breaded steak on a clean plate or baking sheet. Repeat the entire breading process with the second piece of steak. If you have any leftover dry mixture, feel free to gently press it onto the coated steaks to ensure no breading goes to waste. Now, and this is important, let the breaded steaks rest for at least 10 minutes before air frying. This resting period allows the coating to set and adhere to the meat, preventing it from falling off during cooking and ensuring maximum crispiness.
5. Preheat Your Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). For best results, allow the air fryer to preheat for at least 5 minutes before placing the steaks inside. Preheating ensures the air fryer is at the optimal temperature to immediately start cooking and crisping the breading.
6. Spray and Place Steaks (Spray)
Liberally spray the inside of your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and helps promote an even, golden-brown crust. Next, spray both sides of each breaded steak with cooking spray before carefully placing them in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to steaming instead of crisping.
7. Air Fry to Perfection (Cook)
Cook the steaks for 6 minutes. After the first 6 minutes, carefully flip the steaks. Give them another light spray of cooking spray on the newly exposed side, then continue cooking for an additional 6-7 minutes, or until the steaks are crisp and golden brown on both sides. The internal temperature of the steak should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C) for medium-rare. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your steaks and your specific air fryer model.
8. Prepare the Creamy White Gravy
While your delicious air fryer chicken fried steaks are cooking, you can prepare the essential white peppered gravy. In a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux. This cooks out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, continuing to stir as the gravy begins to thicken. Bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken further. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. If the gravy becomes too thick after sitting, simply add a splash more milk and whisk until it reaches your desired consistency.
9. Serve and Enjoy!
Once your air fryer chicken fried steaks are beautifully golden and cooked through, immediately transfer them to serving plates. The classic pairing is with creamy mashed potatoes. Generously ladle the warm white peppered gravy over the steaks and potatoes. For a perfectly balanced meal, serve alongside a refreshing side like Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad. It’s an irresistible combination that brings Southern comfort to your table with incredible ease!
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Achieving perfectly crispy and tender chicken fried steak in your air fryer is simple with a few key tips:
Avoid Overcrowding: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for air frying. If you cram too many steaks into the basket, they will steam instead of crisp. My air fryer is on the smaller side, so I always cook my steaks separately, ensuring ample space for air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
Know Your Air Fryer: Not all air fryers are created equal. Cooking times and temperatures can vary between brands and models. I recommend checking your steaks periodically during cooking, especially the first time you make this recipe, to prevent over or undercooking. Adjust the timing as needed based on your specific appliance.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Allowing the breaded steaks to rest for at least 10 minutes before air frying is vital. This resting period gives the breading a chance to fully adhere to the meat, significantly reducing the chances of it falling off during cooking and ensuring a more intact, crispy crust.
Generous Spraying for Crispiness: Don’t be shy with the cooking spray! A good, even coating on both sides of the steak (and the air fryer basket) helps achieve that desirable golden-brown color and irresistible crisp texture that mimics traditional deep frying.
Achieve Perfect Gravy Consistency: The white gravy is a hallmark of chicken fried steak. If your gravy becomes too thick as it sits, simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of milk until it reaches your preferred smooth, pourable consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, you can whisk in a tiny bit more flour (mixed with a tablespoon of cold water to form a slurry first) and simmer for a minute until thickened.
Love It? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this fantastic air fryer cube steak recipe get lost! Make sure to pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever that chicken fried steak craving hits. It’s an absolute must-try!
Discover the Deliciousness of Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad
Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad is more than just a convenient side dish; it’s a versatile and healthy addition to any meal. This vibrant salad is low in calories, naturally dairy-free, and gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for a variety of dietary needs. It’s also packed with plant-based protein, thanks to the inclusion of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), one of the top sources of plant-powered nutrition.
This delightful salad features a harmonious blend of green, kidney, garbanzo, pinto, and wax beans, all accented with freshly diced onions and crisp red peppers. What makes it truly special is its signature sweet pickled taste, ready to enjoy straight from the jar. But its versatility doesn’t stop there! Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad is also a fantastic ingredient to elevate other dishes, such as a hearty Five Bean Chicken Chili or a comforting Five Bean Ground Beef & Noodle Skillet Meal. It’s a simple way to add flavor, texture, and nutrition to your favorite recipes.
Got leftover ham? Transform it into this incredibly delicious Five Bean Ham & Rice Salad, a perfect blend of savory and sweet!
For a flavorful appetizer, this creamy and simple Dilled Brussels Sprouts Dip combines the zesty kick of pickled Brussels sprouts with savory smoked ham and smooth cream cheese.
And for a truly irresistible bite, how about wrapping some of Paisley Farm’s zesty Hot Brussels Sprouts in crispy bacon? This Bacon Wrapped Hot Brussels Sprouts recipe makes the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer!
EXPLORE ALL MY DELICIOUS PAISLEY FARM RECIPES HERE
Ready to experience the exceptional taste and convenience of Paisley Farm products? Use their handy store locator on their website to find where you can pick up their delicious Five Bean Salad or any of their other fabulous offerings. Stay inspired with great recipes all year long by following Paisley Farm on their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
More Delicious Recipes to Love
If you enjoyed this Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak, you’ll love these other fantastic meal ideas:
- Air Fryer Taco Salad Bowls (pictured above)
- Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
- Beef Tips & Gravy
- Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
- Steak Fried Rice
- Pepper Steak
- Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Reuben Pot Pies
- Five Bean Ground Beef & Noodle Skillet Casserole
Now that you have all the knowledge and tips, let’s get cooking and make some irresistible Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak!
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
⭐️
⭐️
⭐️
⭐️
Print Recipe
Chicken Fried Steak in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Oven Digital and Programmable, Nonstick (35050), 2.5 Liters, Black
Ingredients
- FOR THE STEAKS:
- 2 6 ounce Cube Steaks
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- FOR THE WHITE PEPPERED GRAVY:
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Remove cube steaks from the fridge and let them rest on the counter for a bit before you begin to take the chill off of them. Pat them dry with a paper towel before you begin dredging them.
- Place the breadcrumbs, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder in a shallow bowl and mix with a fork.
- Combine the egg and the buttermilk in another shallow bowl.
- Press each piece of steak into the flour mixture and coat both sides. Give it a little shake to remove any excess.
- Dunk it into the egg mixture, taking care to get both sides coated. Then immediately place it back in the flour mixture to coat both sides of the meat.
- Place coated steak on a plate or baking sheet and continue the same method with the other piece of steak. If you have any of the dry mixture left in the bowl, simply press it into the two steaks.
- Let the steaks rest for at least 10 minutes before air frying.
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees, and preheat for at least 5 minutes before you begin cooking.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray generously.
- Spray both sides of each steak with cooking spray and place in the fryer.
- Cook for 6 minutes, and flip the steaks. Give another light spray of cooking spray and cook for 6-7 minutes more. The outside of the steaks will be crisp and golden brown, and the internal temperature will reach 145 degrees F. when they are done. Cooking time may vary based on the size of your steaks.
- While your steaks are cooking, prepare your gravy: In a small skillet, melt butter. Sprinkle flour over the top and whisk together to form a roux. Whisk in milk, and the gravy will thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Note: The gravy will get very thick if it sits for a bit. If you need to thin it, add a little more milk.
- Serve chicken fried steak over mashed potatoes and top with white peppered gravy. Enjoy!
Notes
Remember that all air fryers are different. Check the steaks every once in a while during cooking to make sure yours isn’t cooking them faster than my instructions.
Nutrition
Calories: 812kcal |
Carbohydrates: 62g |
Protein: 47g |
Fat: 41g |
Saturated Fat: 19g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g |
Cholesterol: 246mg |
Sodium: 2179mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 12g