Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak

Covered in peppery white country gravy, this crispy and tender Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is a wonderful weeknight dinner. Air frying makes this comfort food a little healthier, and it’s ready super quick, too! Who wouldn’t want to sit down to this classic meal in less than about 30 minutes?

Have you ever Googled “best chicken fried steak near me” and hoped to find a local restaurant that serves this tasty plate? What if I told you that you can make chicken fried steak in an air fryer easily at home?

Can you believe that this chicken fried steak with gravy recipe comes together in 30 minutes? The air fryer not only cuts down on the time but also the guilt from the calories! Makes enough for two people. 

Want other weeknight dinner recipes to try? Try my Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan Bake (5 ingredients!) or my Salmon & Shrimp with Lemon Caper Sauce!

This post is sponsored by Paisley Farm Foods, but my love of their products and my opinions are all my own!

HOW DO I PREPARE THE BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK RECIPE?

Chicken fried steak is made most often with steak that has already been tenderized or a cheap cut like round steak. As for the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that it is referring to the style of cooking. The “chicken fried steak” name is prepared similarly to traditional fried chicken.

While in some parts of the country, cube steaks are also called minute steaks, they really are two different items. Minute steaks are most often top sirloin sliced thin. Minute steaks also lack the defining indentations of cube steak.

The other distinction that sometimes comes up is that, where country-fried steak is flour-dusted and usually served with brown gravy and onions, chicken-fried steak is breaded with eggs and served with cream gravy.

Can you keep a secret? We can!

My friends at Paisley Farm Foods and I are on the same page when it comes to bringing you fantastic tasting homecooked meals, without the fuss. Foods that you can feel good about feeding your family. 

This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe comes together quickly, and so does a delicious and nutritious side of Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad! Simply open a jar, pour it into a bowl and serve.  It can be our little secret just how easy it is. 

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN FRIED STEAK GRAVY

FOR THE STEAKS:

• Cube Steaks: Must use tenderized and flattened steaks.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Capable of absorbing less oil and are crunchier than plain breadcrumbs.
• All-Purpose Flour: Enriched with vitamins and minerals.
• Salt: Add to taste.
• Black Pepper: Combines nicely with the other seasonings.
• Dried Oregano: Adds a wonderful earthy flavor.
• Paprika: Has a sweet pepper flavor, without any heat.
• Garlic Powder: Raw garlic may be too sticky so powder is preferred for this.
• Onion Powder: Disburses evenly throughout the dish for richness.
• Egg: Helps the bread crumbs adhere.
• Buttermilk: Gives a nice creamy texture and taste to the outside of the steak. (don’t have any? Make this easy Substitute!)

FOR THE WHITE PEPPERED GRAVY:

• Butter: Combines with the flour to make a paste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Mixes well with butter and helps it reheat better.
• Whole Milk: Thickens the roux.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.

HOW TO MAKE EASY AIR FRYER CUBE STEAK WITH WHITE GRAVY

DRY

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.

MIX

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.

SHAKE

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.

PRESS

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.

REST

Let the steaks rest for at least 10 minutes before air frying.

PREHEAT

Set the air fryer to 400 degrees, and preheat for at least 5 minutes before you begin cooking.

SPRAY

Begin to 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

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.

PREPARE White Gravy

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

To finish, serve chicken fried steak over mashed potatoes and top with white peppered gravy. Open a jar of Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad and enjoy!

Tips on making the best Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak

Don’t overcrowd your fryer when the steaks are cooking. My air fryer is on the smaller side, and I cooked mine separately.

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.

Love it? Pin it!

Don’t forget where you found this air fryer cube steak recipe! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go!

REASONS TO LOVE PAISLEY FARM FIVE BEAN SALAD

Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad is low calorie, healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free, and has plant-based protein, too, containing one of the top plant-based protein sources, chickpeas (garbanzo beans.)  The salad contains a blend of green, kidney, garbanzo, pinto, and wax beans accented with freshly diced onions and red peppers. They have a sweet pickled taste straight from the jar, but that didn’t mean they weren’t fantastic as an additive to chili or a ground beef & noodle skillet meal.

Leftover ham? Try this delicious Five Bean Ham & Rice Salad!

Creamy and packed with flavor, this simple to make Dilled Brussels Sprouts Dip is made with pickled Brussels sprouts, smoked ham and smooth cream cheese.

How about wrapping some of Paisley Farm’s Hot Brussels Sprouts in Bacon? This Bacon Wrapped Hot Brussels Sprouts recipe is the perfect appetizer!

SEE ALL OF MY PAISLEY FARM RECIPES HERE

Find where you can pick up delicious Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad, or any of their other fabulous products by visiting their website.  Follow Paisley Farm on their social media for great recipes all year long: FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

More Recipes to Love

• 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

Let’s make some Chicken Fried Steak in our Air Fryer!!

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Print Recipe

Chicken Fried Steak in the Air Fryer

Covered in a peppery white gravy, this crispy and tender Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is a wonderful weeknight dinner.

Prep Time7 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Additional Time10 minutes mins

Total Time29 minutes mins

Course: Beef

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer cube steak, chicken fried steak gravy, chicken fried steak. air fryer chicken fried steak. breading. chicken fried steak vs. country fried steak, easy recipe, for two, with white gravy

Servings: 2

Calories: 812kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Oven Digital and Programmable, Nonstick (35050), 2.5 Liters, Black

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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

Don't overcrowd your fryer when the steaks are cooking. My air fryer is on the smaller side, and I cooked mine separately.

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

Serving: 1 | Calories: 812kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 2179mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g