Indulge in our Chicken Fried Steak cooked in the air fryer recipe. Crispy, tender steaks cooked to perfection – comfort food made easy with less oil!
This Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer recipe is made by seasoning cubed steaks, coating them with seasoned flour and egg mixture, and air frying until they are golden and crispy. Enjoy this comfort food without the guilt!
Table of Contents
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 Recipe
Less oil – This recipe offers all the crispy, flavorful goodness of traditional chicken fried steak but with less oil, making it a better option compared to deep frying.
Easy Preparation – With simple steps and readily available ingredients, this dish is easy to prepare, making it the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Customizable – You can adjust the seasoning levels and even add your favorite spices or herbs to tailor the flavor to your liking.
Crispy Texture – The air fryer method ensures that each chicken-fried steak comes out crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside, providing a satisfying texture with every bite.
Versatile Serving Options – Whether served with classic sides like mashed potatoes and gravy or incorporated into sandwiches or salads, each country-fried steak offers versatile serving options to suit various preferences.
Ingredients
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
Cubed Steaks: These thinly pounded beef steaks provide a tender and flavorful base. If they are unavailable in the grocery store, you can substitute them with top sirloin, top round steak that have been thinly pounded with a meat tenderizer.
Eggs: The eggs serve as a binding agent in the coating mixture, helping the flour mixture stick to the steaks.
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.
Hot Sauce: Optional hot sauce adds a hint of heat and depth to this air fryer country-fried steak recipe. Feel free to adjust the amount according to your spice preference or omit it altogether for a milder flavor. Feel free to also use a teaspoon of cayenne pepper instead for added heat.
All-Purpose Flour: The flour forms the base of the coating mixture, creating a crispy outer layer when air-fried. For a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cajun Seasoning: These seasonings add layers of flavor to the coating mixture, enhancing the overall taste of the chicken fried steaks. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste preferences or substitute them with your favorite herbs and spices.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Step 1 Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2 Season the Steaks:
In a small container, combine 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and Cajun seasoning.
Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the steaks.
Step 3 Prepare Coating:
In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
Step 4 Prepare Egg Mixture:
In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce (if using).
Step 5 Coat the Steaks:
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.
Step 6 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.
Step 7 Air Fry:
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.
Step 8 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 the steaks evenly: Ensure uniform thickness by pounding the steaks gently with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy skillet before coating.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve a crispy texture.
Coat the steaks thoroughly: Make sure to coat the steaks evenly with the flour and egg mixture for a crispy exterior.
Avoid overcrowding: Arrange the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow proper airflow and ensure even cooking.
Use cooking spray: Generously spray both sides of each steak piece with olive oil spray or non-stick cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking.
Flip halfway through cooking: Gently flip the steaks halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
What To Serve With Chicken Fried Steak
- 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.
Storage & Reheating
Storage – To store leftovers, place the cooked chicken fried steaks in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
Freezing – To freeze, individually wrap the steaks in plastic wrap or foil and then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating – To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the frozen or refrigerated steaks in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy.
Additions and Substitutions
Additions: Serve the chicken fried steaks with your favorite dipping sauces such as barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. You can also top them with sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for extra flavor.
Substitutions: For a lighter option, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of beef steaks. Swap out the Cajun seasoning for Italian seasoning or smoked paprika. If you prefer a gluten-free coating, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes instead of flour.
FAQs
Cubed steak is usually beef steak that’s been tenderized by pounding it with a meat tenderizer, which gives it small cube-shaped markings on its surface.
Season each piece of steak well, cook it at the recommended temperature, and avoid overcooking. Checking the steak’s internal temperature at the halfway mark can help result in a juicy steak.
While it’s best served fresh for the optimal texture, you can prepare the coated steaks in advance and refrigerate them until you’re ready to air fry.
Yes, you can bake the coated steaks in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
More Recipes
- Instant Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups
- Air Fryer Parmesan Pork Chops
If you made this recipe and loved it, let us know by leaving a comment and 5-star rating.
Recipe
Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer 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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