Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is so simple and just as comforting as you would expect! Crunchy coating over tenderized steak and topped with that creamy white gravy just like grandma (or Cracker Barrel) used to make! The bonus – much less oil and calories!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb cube steak cut into 4 pieces
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili pepper seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Olive Oil spray
White Gravy
- 2 tbsp bacon grease or butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the cube steaks from the refrigerator and pound again with a meat tenderizer1 lb cube steak
- In a breading tray, combine flour, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, chipotle and poultry seasoning with a whisk.1/2 cup flour, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning, 1/2 tsp chipotle chili pepper seasoning, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- In a second breading tray, combine the egg and buttermilk and whisk together1 cup buttermilk, 1 egg
- Take each portion of the cube steak and dip into the flour mixture - then the egg mixture - then the flour mixture again. Be sure entire piece is fully coated.
- Let rest on a rack or cookie sheet for 10 minutes
- Preheat air fryer (if needed) to 370
- Line rack/tray with parchment paper or spray your air fryer rack/tray HEAVILY with non-stick spray
- Place each piece of chicken fried steak in a single layer in air fryer and spray all spots with flour showing with olive oil spray
- Air fry at 370 for 12 minutes - flipping halfway thru. When you flip, spray flour spots with oil
- After flipping, prepare the gravy in a small 6" skillet by melting bacon grease on medium heat.2 tbsp bacon grease
- Slowly whisk in flour until incorporated2 tbsp flour
- Whisk in milk, salt and pepper1 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Cook until thickened and remove from the heat.
- If gravy sits for a few minutes - it will get too thick - you can whisk in more milk over low to loosen up the gravy so it's pourable again
- Remove the chicken fried steak from the air fryer and pour gravy over the top
Notes
Why is my Chicken Fried Steak tough?
Well – it’s a tough cut of meat. The first time I made this – I didn’t tenderize it and it was really tough. So grab that meat tenderizer and think of Michael Jackson when you’re making this and just beat it! Beat it!
Should I use parchment paper in the air fryer?
Yes! Again – the first time I did it – the breading on the bottom stuck to the rack completely. Parchment paper is the best invention ever for just this reason!
Is the breading spicy?
No – but it’s got a very little zip from the chipotle pepper seasoning. You can leave that out if you like. It’s barely noticeable. You can replace with cayenne pepper as well.
What can I use instead of bacon grease?
You can use butter – or Bacon Up. Bacon Up is a new product that is basically clarified bacon grease. It’s shelf stable and great for situations just like this – lots of flavor!
Why is Chicken Fried Steak called that?
Because you’re frying the steak like you would fried chicken. It’s steak. But you’re doing a flour/egg breading like you would fried chicken.
What does Chicken Fried Steak taste like?
Steak. With a fried chicken breading.
Can you make Chicken Fried Steak without eggs?
Yes – you could just dip it in Buttermilk instead of buttermilk & egg
Can you reheat Chicken Fried Steak?
I would recommend reheating it in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 325. This will help it crisp up again.
Is Chicken Fried Steak pork?
No. It’s steak. With a fried chicken breading.
**We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**Nutrition
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 19.5gProtein: 34.6gFat: 17.8gSaturated Fat: 7.3gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 193mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 6.2gCalcium: 157mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!