Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Chicken fried steak is a traditional Southern dish that can be made in an air fryer. The process involves dredging cube steaks in a flour mixture with spices, then dipping them in a liquid mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg. The steaks are then cooked in the air fryer for a total of 14-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness. The air fryer method offers a healthier alternative to deep frying, with less oil and mess, while still achieving a crispy coating and juicy interior.

How to make chicken fried steak in an air fryer

Chicken fried steak is a traditional Southern dinner, and you can make it in your air fryer in less than 30 minutes. Here's how:

Ingredients:

• Cube steak (cut into 3-6 pieces)
• Flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Butter
• Milk
• Hot sauce

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F.
• In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
• Dip each piece of steak into the flour mixture, then the buttermilk mixture, and then back into the flour mixture, ensuring it is fully coated each time.
• Place the steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Spray with cooking spray or oil.
• Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with additional oil if needed. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F.
• Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use a meat mallet to tenderize the steak if it is not already tenderized.
• Let the steaks sit for a few minutes after seasoning and patting dry before dredging to allow the seasoning to set.
• Use separate hands for the dry and wet ingredients when dredging to prevent your hands from becoming sticky.
• Shake off any excess flour before placing the steaks in the air fryer to prevent the coating from becoming too thick.
• Preheat the air fryer basket to prevent the steaks from sticking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the steaks in batches if needed.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the steaks are cooked to the correct internal temperature.

Gravy:

While the steaks are cooking, you can make a creamy country gravy to go with them. Here's how:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Slowly whisk in flour, milk, salt, and pepper, and continue cooking until thickened. Add more milk to adjust the consistency if needed.
• Remove from heat and pour over the chicken fried steak.

What is a cube steak?

Cube steak is a cut of beef, usually from the top round or top sirloin, that has been tenderized and flattened by pounding with a meat tenderizer. The name refers to the indentations left by this process, which is called "cubing". Cube steak is often sold already tenderized and can be identified by its waffle-like surface.

Cube steak is an inexpensive and flavourful cut of meat. It is sometimes labelled as "minute steak" because it can be cooked quickly, and it is commonly used for the American dish chicken-fried steak. Cube steak is also used for country-fried steak, as well as in soups, stews, and slow-cooker recipes.

The process of pounding and cutting breaks down the muscle fibres in the meat, making it more tender. Cube steak can be cooked in a similar way to a regular steak, such as by pan-frying or grilling, but it dries out easily so it is best cooked quickly over high heat. It can also be cooked like stew meat, by slowly simmering it until tender.

Cube steak can be purchased pre-tenderized or made at home by pounding a cut of meat with a meat tenderizer or mallet until it is flattened and textured.

How to make the white creamy gravy?

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Slowly whisk in the flour, and cook for a few minutes until combined.
• Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper.
• Cook until thickened, then remove from the heat, stirring in hot sauce to taste.
• Serve the gravy over the cooked steaks.

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of milk and flour to achieve your desired consistency for the gravy.
• For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the gravy.
• If you prefer a healthier option, use a combination of almond flour and grated Parmesan cheese instead of regular flour.

Do I have to preheat the air fryer?

Yes, you should preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit or 350–400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the recipe you are following. Preheating your air fryer helps your food get that signature crispiness. For example, if you are making chicken-fried steak, preheating your air fryer will ensure that the outside of the steak gets crispy while the inside remains tender.

If your air fryer has a preheat setting, simply press the button and wait for the signal that it is preheated. If not, set your air fryer to the desired temperature and turn it on for 2–3 minutes for smaller air fryers or 5 minutes for larger models.

It is important to note that you should leave the basket in the air fryer when preheating. Additionally, do not preheat your air fryer with parchment paper inside, as it may fly up and burn.

How to store leftovers?

Chicken fried steak is a delicious meal, but you might not always finish it in one go. Here is a detailed guide on how to store your leftovers:

Firstly, it is important to note that chicken fried steak leftovers will last for about three days in the fridge. If you don't think you will eat them within this timeframe, it is best to freeze them instead.

When storing in the fridge, it is crucial to retain the natural juices of the steak to maintain its texture and flavour. Keep the meat away from air, as it can dry it out. Use a vacuum sealer to keep juices locked in and air out. If you don't have a vacuum sealer, an alternative method is to wrap the steak tightly in freezer paper, which is a thick, coated plastic paper that can lock in moisture and keep air away.

Wrap each piece of meat individually and place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Lay the bag on a flat surface, squeeze out as much air as possible, and then seal it. Store the meat on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator to prevent any accidental seepage of juices from contaminating other foods.

When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken fried steak in the air fryer and cook for about 3 minutes until warmed through, spraying a little oil on both sides if needed.

Now you know how to store and reheat your chicken fried steak leftovers! Enjoy your delicious meal again.

Frequently asked questions