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If you're craving Texas chicken fried steak but don't feel like dealing with a pot of hot oil, this air fryer chicken fried steak recipe is the answer. You'll still get that crispy, golden crust and juicy, tender steak-just with less mess, less oil, and way less stress.
Table of Contents
- 🔍 Recipe at a Glance
- Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
- Why My Version Is Different
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Equipment You'll Need
- How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
- Serve
- Recipe Tips
- What To Serve With Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer
- Storage & Reheating
- Additions & Substitutions
- FAQs
- Short History of Chicken Fried Steak
- More Recipes
- Let's Cook Together
- Recipe
- Reviews
Whether you're making chicken fried steak in an air fryer for the first time, or you're looking for the best country fried steak using the air fryer method, this version is weeknight-easy and full of Texas flavor.
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🔪 Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| 🔥 Cook Time: | 12 minutes |
| ⏲️ Total Time: | 27 minutes |
| 🍽️ Servings: | 4 |
| ⚡Calories: | 531 kcal |
| 🌟Ingredients: | Cube steak, buttermilk, eggs, flour, Cajun seasoning |
If you loved my Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, then you’re going to love this Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
- All the crunch, none of the grease - You won't miss deep frying one bit.
- Straight from my Texas kitchen - Seasoned just right for that Southern-style bite.
- Busy-day friendly - From fridge to table in under 30 minutes.
- Make it your own - Perfect for air fryer chicken fried steak bites, a spicy twist, or swapping the meat.
- Family-table ready - Pile it high with mashed potatoes, gravy, and all your favorite sides.
Why My Version Is Different
Growing up in South Central Texas, chicken fried steak wasn't just dinner-it was a staple at family gatherings, small-town cafes, and Sunday lunch after church.
My version keeps that Texas comfort food soul but makes it weeknight-friendly with the air fryer. You still get that crispy, seasoned crust and tender cube steak, but with less oil, less mess, and no standing over a sizzling skillet.
I also like to season the meat before breading so every bite is flavorful, not just the crust. And yes, I'm team bold seasoning-a little Cajun kick is my nod to the flavors we love here in South Texas.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here's what you'll need to make this crispy air fryer chicken fried cube steak.
Here's what you'll need to make this crispy air fryer chicken fried cube steak.
- Cube Steaks - Tenderized beef steaks with that signature dimpled surface. If you can't find them, pound thin cuts of top round or sirloin with a meat mallet.
- Buttermilk - Buttermilk adds a subtle tanginess to the flavor profile. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 1/2 cups of regular whole milk with 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar and letting the mixture rest for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Eggs - The eggs serve as a binding agent in the coating mixture, helping the flour mixture stick to the steaks.
- Hot Sauce (optional) - For a little kick. Swap in cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
- All-Purpose Flour - Forms the crispy breading. Gluten-free flour works too.
- Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cajun Seasoning - My go-to spice blend for bold flavor. Swap in Italian seasoning or chili powder for a twist.
- Cooking Spray - Olive oil or non-stick spray helps get that deep-golden crust.
Equipment You'll Need
- Air Fryer - Basket-style or oven-style both work. A larger basket lets you cook more steaks at once without overcrowding.
- Meat Mallet or Heavy Skillet - For pounding steaks evenly so they cook perfectly.
- Shallow Bowls or Dredging Trays - Makes coating the steaks clean and easy.
- Tongs - Essential for flipping steaks without breaking the crust.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In one shallow bowl, combine flour with the same spices.
- Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the steaks.
- Combine all spices into a large bowl and combine thoroughly with mixture
- In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce (if using).
- Dip each seasoned steak into the flour mixture.
- Then dip the steaks into the egg and buttermilk mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Make sure each cubed steak is thoroughly coated, shaking off any excess flour.
- Spray with Oil and Arrange in Air Fryer: Generously spray both sides of the steaks with nonstick spray and then place the coated steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded.
- Air fry the steaks at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, very carefully flipping halfway through the cooking time. Cook them until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of each steak reaches a minimum of 145°F (63°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
Serve
Once cooked, remove the crispy chicken fried steaks from the air fryer and set aside. Repeat the process with any remaining steaks if necessary.
Serve the chicken fried steaks immediately, topped with white country gravy or brown gravy, and accompanied by mashed potatoes, green beans, or peas.
Recipe Tips
- Pound evenly - If your cube steaks aren't perfectly even, give them a light pound for consistent cooking.
- Season the meat, not just the coating - That way, every bite is flavorful through and through.
- Don't skip the cooking spray - It's the secret to that deep-golden, fried look in the air fryer.
- Work in batches - Overcrowding = soggy crust. Air flow is everything.
- Flip gently - Use tongs and go slow so the coating stays put.
What To Serve With Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer
- Cream Gravy – A cream gravy goes perfectly with this Chicken Fried Steak. I like this version of a Cream Gravy because it has bacon and sausage!
- Mashed Potatoes – We love this recipe: Bacon, Onion, Horseradish, Mashed Potatoes and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
- Green Beans – Here are some excellent recipe options: Marinated Green Bean Salad, Creole Green Beans, or Green Bean Casserole
- Peas – Pea Salad
- Cornbread – This is an excellent recipe: Easy Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread.
- Creamed Corn – A delicious and comforting side is this Old Fashioned Creamed Corn recipe.
- Mac & Cheese – For a creamy, cheesy side dish that goes perfectly with this chicken fried steak, try this Five Cheese, Fifteen Minute Stovetop Mac 'n Cheese recipe.
- Texas Toast Cheesy Bread – Serve with this unique Spicy Bacon Jalapeño Texas Toast Cheesy Bread
Storage & Reheating
- Store - Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze - Wrap steaks individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat chicken fried steak in air fryer - Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway, until hot and crispy again.
Additions & Substitutions
- Add toppings - Sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or shredded cheese before serving.
- Swap the protein - Try boneless chicken breasts, pork cutlets, or even venison for a wild game twist.
- Change the spice profile - Italian seasoning for herby flavor, or smoked paprika for BBQ vibes.
- Go gluten-free - Use gluten-free flour or crushed cornflakes.
- Try smaller pieces - Make air fryer chicken fried steak bites for appetizers or game-day snacks.
FAQs
Yes. For a quick dinner, you can cook frozen chicken fried steak in air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway, until heated through and crispy. This method also works for Tyson chicken fried steak air fryer products-just check the package for any brand-specific directions.
Beef that's been tenderized with a mallet or machine, leaving a cube-shaped pattern. This recipe also works with pork cutlets or chicken if you want variety.
For fresh cube steak, how long to cook chicken fried steak in air fryer is typically 10-12 minutes at 400°F. For frozen, plan for 14-16 minutes at 375°F.
Yes. Coat the steaks and refrigerate (unstacked) for up to 8 hours before air frying. You can also prep air fryer chicken fried steak bites and store them in the freezer for a quick snack.
Yes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through. While baking works, I prefer the country fried steak in air fryer approach for faster cooking and a crispier crust.
Season well, avoid overcooking, and rest steaks for a few minutes before serving.
Short History of Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken fried steak is a Texas classic with a bit of mystery in its origin story. Most food historians trace it back to German and Austrian immigrants who brought wiener schnitzel to the Lone Star State, adapting it with local beef instead of veal. Over time, it became a Southern comfort icon-crispy fried beef topped with creamy gravy.
And since I married a man with German ancestry, I guess you could say crispy, breaded meat runs in the family.
In Texas, you'll find it everywhere from small-town diners to county fairs, often served with mashed potatoes, green beans, and plenty of gravy. If you want to dig deeper into its roots, the Texas State Historical Association has a fascinating entry on its history.
More Recipes
- Instant Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups
- Air Fryer Parmesan Pork Chops
Let's Cook Together
If you're craving Texas chicken fried steak with a crispy crust and tender center, the air fryer is the way to go. You'll get that same diner-worthy flavor without the heavy frying-and in under 30 minutes.
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so other home cooks can find it too!
Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce optional
- Olive oil spray
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder divided
- 2 teaspoons onion powder divided
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning divided
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small container, combine 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and Cajun seasoning. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the steaks.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce (if using).
- Dip each seasoned steak into the flour mixture, then into the egg and buttermilk mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Make sure each cubed steak is thoroughly coated, shaking off any excess flour.
- Generously spray both sides of the steaks with nonstick spray and then place the coated steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded.
- Air fry the steaks at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, very carefully flipping halfway through the cooking time. Cook them until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of each steak reaches a minimum of 145°F (63°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
- Once cooked, remove the crispy chicken fried steaks from the air fryer and set aside. Repeat the process with any remaining steaks if necessary. Serve the chicken fried steaks immediately, topped with white country gravy or brown gravy, and accompanied by mashed potatoes, green beans, or peas.
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