Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic Southern comfort food by using an air fryer to achieve a crispy, golden crust without deep frying. Coated in a flavorful blend of spices and served with creamy homemade gravy, these steaks are tender and delicious with a perfect golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Steak:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk
- 4 cube steaks about 4–5 ounces each
- Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
For the Cream Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Milk as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Station: Set up two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. In the second bowl, beat the egg and half-and-half together until smooth.
- Coat the Steaks: Dip each cube steak first into the flour mixture, tapping off excess flour. Then dip into the egg mixture, coating both sides generously. Return to the flour mixture and coat again, packing the flour gently to adhere evenly.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the bottom of the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Steaks: Place the coated steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation. Generously spray the tops of the steaks with oil spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side to ensure a golden crust.
- Make the Cream Gravy: While the steaks cook, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour continuously for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add half-and-half, whisking constantly until the gravy thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
- Adjust Gravy Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, whisk in milk gradually until reaching desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the hot chicken fried steaks and generously spoon the creamy gravy over the top. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra tender steaks, soak them in buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading.
- Avoid overcooking as the steaks cook at a high temperature; proper oil spraying ensures a golden crust.
- If cooking in batches, keep cooked steaks warm in an oven or briefly reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Double breading is crucial for the signature chicken-fried texture; feel free to customize the spice blend to your taste.
