Do you enjoy the warm, hearty tastes of conventional country cooking? Imagine a savory, crunchy, crispy crust covering tender steak cubes, and the best part? No oil is needed! Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak is a simple to make and immensely fulfilling dish that puts a modern spin on a well-loved classic.
Introducing Chicken Fried Steak in an Air Fryer
The wait is ended for those who have been craving an air fryer rendition of this traditional country dish. Although it took some time to master this recipe, the end result was well worth the effort. While nothing can quite match the deep-fried version, some air fryer changes surprise produced excellent results. The sole disadvantage? Don’t worry, your favorite packet of white gravy or a homemade version can still finish the dinner even if you don’t have the delicious residual oil to make homemade gravy.
What is cube steak, exactly?
Due to tenderization, cube steak, which is commonly sliced from top sirloin or top round, has a distinctive “cubed” appearance. Because of its finer cut, it is ideal for quick cooking techniques like air frying.
Breading Troubleshooting
Allowing the steaks to sit for around 10 minutes before air frying will help if the breading isn’t sticking as it should.
How to Make Creamy White Gravy
Rich gravies are frequently made from leftover frying fat. However, since the air fryer doesn’t have that capability, you can either use a store-bought package or make your own white gravy from scratch. Here is an easy recipe:
Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 4 teaspoons salted butter.
- To taste, salt and black pepper
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk melted butter with flour to remove any lumps. To get rid of the taste of raw flour, cook for about 3 minutes.
- While whisking, add the milk gradually, about 1/2 cup at a time. Stirring often, simmer for 7-8 minutes until thickened.
- Add salt and pepper to taste when seasoning gravy. Serve after removing from heat.
Preheating is essential.
Don’t skip the air fryer’s preheating stage. It guarantees even frying and aids in obtaining that deliciously crispy crust.
Storage and Leftovers
Leftovers can be frozen for up to three months or kept in the fridge for up to three days.
Seasonings & Ingredients
In order to make this delicious dish, assemble:
- Cubed steaks (4 servings per recipe).
- Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper (for seasoning)
- Buttermilk (for flavor and softness enhancements)
- A big egg (to help the breading stick)
- Hot sauce, optionally used for a spicy kick
- White pepper gravy packet (cooked according to the directions) or homemade gravy
preparing chicken fried steak with an air fryer
- Set your air fryer’s temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine flour, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a single shallow basin.
- Combine buttermilk, egg, and spicy sauce (if using) in a separate shallow bowl.
Each steak should be dipped in the flour mixture first, followed by the buttermilk mixture. Make sure to coat each steak thoroughly.
- In the air fryer basket, arrange the coated steaks in a single layer. Apply a lot of olive oil spray to them.
- Air fry the coating for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it turns golden brown. The steaks should be cooked for a further 6 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C), before flipping and adding extra olive oil.
Keep in mind that air fryers might vary in how long it takes to cook food, so check the steaks at the 5-minute mark.
- Take the cooked food out of the air fryer. Repeat the procedure for any additional steaks if necessary.
Serving your meal

Serve your Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak right away with the white pepper gravy prepared on top. The ultimate product is a delicious fusion of tastes and textures that honors the hearty origins of country food.
You can enjoy a healthier version of an old favorite with the help of this recipe. The cubed steak remains soft and delicious while receiving a gorgeously crispy coating from the air fryer. So why not try this contemporary twist on a classic dish? You might just discover a new family supper favorite!