Air Fryer Country Fried Steak: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Country fried steak is a traditional Southern American dish that is typically pan-fried. However, air fryers offer a healthier alternative to enjoy this dish while saving a few calories and keeping that classic flavour. The cooking time for country fried steak in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the steak and the type of air fryer being used. In general, the steak should be cooked for 8-15 minutes at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping it halfway through and spraying it with additional oil if needed.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in the cooking process. It ensures that your steaks cook evenly and thoroughly, and it helps to create a crunchy crust on the outside. Not preheating your air fryer could result in uneven cooking and a less-than-ideal texture for your country-fried steak.

To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. For country-fried steak, most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 380 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for achieving a crispy exterior and a juicy interior for your steak.

Once you've set the temperature, allow your air fryer to heat up for a few minutes. The preheat time can vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so it's important to refer to your product manual for specific instructions. As a general guideline, most air fryers will take around 2 to 3 minutes to preheat.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steaks by coating them in a breading of your choice. This could be a simple flour mixture or a more complex dredging station with dry and wet ingredients. By the time your steaks are coated and ready to cook, your air fryer should be preheated to the perfect temperature.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step that should not be skipped. It ensures that your country-fried steak turns out perfectly cooked and delicious.

Oil the steak

To oil the steak, you can use olive oil or butter cooking spray. This helps to crisp up the breading on the steak. You can also use an EVO Oil Mister to spritz the steak with oil if it looks dry halfway through the cooking process.

When preparing the steak for cooking, it is important to let the meat rest after breading it, otherwise, the breading may fall off during cooking. It is recommended to let the steaks sit for about 8-10 minutes before air frying. You can also use the dry hand, wet hand method for dredging, where you use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other hand for the wet ingredients. This prevents your hands from becoming sticky and makes it easier to bread the steaks.

After coating the steaks, let them sit for about 10 minutes so that the breading can adhere properly. Preheat the air fryer to ensure the basket is hot when it comes into contact with the steak. Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket to minimize overlap and ensure even cooking.

During cooking, you can spray the steaks with oil again halfway through, flipping them over to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Cook for 8-15 minutes

Cooking country fried steak in an air fryer takes anywhere from 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak and the model of the air fryer. It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure the steaks cook properly and the crust gets crunchy.

To cook country fried steak in an air fryer, first prepare the steaks by coating them in a flour mixture with spices and then dipping them in a liquid mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg. Repeat this process, then shake off any excess flour and let the steaks rest for about 10 minutes so that the breading can adhere.

Once the steaks are ready, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray them with olive oil or cooking spray. Cook the steaks at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes, then flip them over and spray the other side. Continue cooking for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the steaks are cooking, you can make the gravy by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat and adding flour, milk, and seasonings. Whisk the ingredients together until the gravy thickens, and then serve it over the cooked steaks.

Make the gravy

While the steaks are cooking in the air fryer, you can make the gravy. It is essential to keep in mind that the longer you cook the gravy, the thicker it will become.

To make the gravy, melt butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Then, add in the flour and whisk well to remove any lumps. Cook this mixture for about 3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste, ensuring you whisk occasionally so it doesn't burn. Now, turn the heat up to medium-low and slowly pour in the milk, along with some whipping cream, and whisk as you do so. Continue until the mixture thickens to your desired consistency. If the gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more milk. You can also add seasonings of your choice to the gravy.

Some recipes suggest making a white or cream gravy, while others recommend a brown gravy. You can also make the gravy from the drippings of the fried steak.

Serve with sides

Country fried steak is a traditional Southern dish, and it goes well with many classic sides. While your steak is cooking in the air fryer, you can make a gravy with butter, flour, seasonings, and milk or cream. You can also make a healthier gravy by substituting milk for whipping cream.

For a classic, indulgent meal, serve your country fried steak with mashed potatoes and smother it with gravy. For a lighter option, serve it with a vegetable salad or air fryer corn muffins. If you want to stick to the Southern theme, you can make air fryer pub fries or rosemary roasted potatoes to go with your steak. You can even dip the potatoes in your gravy!

If you're serving a large group, you can also make chicken fried steak with chicken breast. Just butterfly the chicken and use plastic wrap and a mallet to make them into thin cutlets. Follow the same recipe as you would for the cube steak.

Frequently asked questions