Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great way to cook breaded steak, also known as chicken fried steak or country fried steak. This is a Southern classic, despite not actually containing any chicken. Instead, it is made with cube steak, a cheap cut of beef that is tenderised and flattened. The steak is then breaded and cooked in an air fryer, which is healthier than frying in oil or lard and requires less cleanup. The result is a crispy, golden, and comforting dish.
How to Cook Breaded Steak in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Steak Type | Cube steak |
| Steak Cut | Top sirloin or top round |
| Steak Seasoning | Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed |
| Breading | Flour, egg, buttermilk, buffalo sauce |
| Cooking Spray | Olive oil, Vegetable oil, Cooking spray |
| Cooking Temperature | 380-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 8-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145°F |
| Sides | Rice, beans, potatoes, salad, vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in the cooking process. It ensures your steaks cook evenly and properly, and helps to achieve that sought-after crunchy crust.
Firstly, you want to make sure your air fryer is clean and dry. If your air fryer has any residual food or liquid stuck to the basket or walls, give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. You can also use a small amount of cooking spray to help prevent any sticking.
Next, you'll want to set the temperature. Depending on the thickness of your steaks, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're cooking frozen steaks, a lower temperature of around 380 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. This will ensure that the outside doesn't brown too much before the inside is cooked.
Once you've set the temperature, let your air fryer preheat for a few minutes. Most air fryers will have a preheat setting, but if yours doesn't, simply set it to the desired temperature and let it heat up for 2-3 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the basket is hot.
When preheating your air fryer, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, don't overcrowd the basket. Make sure there is enough space for air to circulate, which will help ensure even cooking. Secondly, if you're using a cooking spray, be sure to spray the basket generously. This will help create a crispy crust on your steaks.
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Prepare the steak
Preparing the steak is a crucial step in making breaded steak in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:
Firstly, select the right cut of meat. Cube steak, a cut from the top sirloin or top round, is an excellent choice for breaded steak. It is inexpensive and can be easily tenderised using a meat mallet or a specialised meat tenderiser. The tenderisation process breaks down the fibres in the meat, making it softer and easier to cook and chew.
Next, season your steaks. A simple option is to use salt and pepper to taste. However, for a more complex flavour profile, you can use a blend like Montreal Steak Seasoning, which typically includes garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed, and salt. You can also add other spices and herbs to the flour mixture for extra flavour.
Now, it's time to bread the steaks. Set up a dredging station with two shallow bowls or dishes and a plate. In one bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices and herbs to this mixture if you wish. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: buttermilk, egg, and, if you like a kick, hot sauce. First, dip each steak into the flour mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then shake off any excess. Next, dip it into the wet mixture, and finally, dredge it in the flour mixture again, making sure every part of the steak is covered.
Once the steaks are breaded, let them rest for about 8 to 10 minutes. This step is important because it allows the breading to adhere better and helps ensure the breading won't fall off during cooking.
Finally, spray the steaks with cooking spray or oil. This step will help the breading crisp up and turn golden brown during cooking. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or any variety of cooking spray. Spray both sides of the steaks generously.
Your steaks are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Make the dredging station
To make the dredging station, you will need two shallow bowls or dishes and a plate. In the first bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, such as flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also use a pre-made spice mix like Montreal Steak Seasoning, which typically includes garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed, and salt.
In the second bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, including buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce (optional). You can also add buffalo sauce to the egg wash for an extra kick. If you don't have buttermilk, you can use regular milk, but the result may not be as crispy.
Once you have your dry and wet mixtures ready, you can start dredging the steaks. Use your left hand for the dry ingredients and your right hand for the wet to prevent a sticky mess. First, dip the steak into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dredge it in the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, dredge it in the flour mixture again, ensuring it's completely coated.
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Fry the steak
Frying the steak is a crucial step in preparing breaded steak in an air fryer. It is important to note that the steak should be fried in the air fryer, not in a pan with oil or lard. Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 400°F. The higher the temperature, the shorter the cooking time. If you want to cook at a higher temperature than 400°F, decrease the cooking time slightly.
Before frying the steak, ensure that the breading is secure. If you notice the breading falling off, let the steaks sit for about 8-10 minutes before placing them in the air fryer. You can also pat the crumbs onto the meat with a fork to help them stick. Once the breading is secure, spray the steaks with cooking spray or olive oil spray. This will help to ensure that the steaks do not stick to the air fryer basket and will also help to create a crispy texture.
Place the steaks in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. The steaks should lie flat in a single layer and should not be touching each other. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cook for 6-8 minutes. For thinner steaks, a cooking time of 3-4 minutes per side may be sufficient. For thicker steaks, you may need to cook for up to 10-15 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking time, carefully flip the steaks and spray the other side with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help to ensure even cooking and browning. Return the steaks to the air fryer and continue cooking until they are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 145°F. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks and the temperature of the air fryer.
Once the steaks have reached the desired doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender steak. Serve the steaks with your choice of sides, such as potatoes, rice, or a fresh vegetable. Enjoy!
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Make the gravy
While your steaks are cooking, you can make the gravy. In a small saucepan, melt some butter over low heat. Next, add in the flour and whisk well to remove any lumps. Cook for about 3 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste, making sure to whisk occasionally so it doesn't burn.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking as you do so, until you reach your desired consistency. You can also add cream for a richer gravy. Turn the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens. The longer you cook the gravy, the thicker it will become.
Season the gravy with salt and pepper, tasting as you go until you're happy with the seasoning. Serve the gravy over your crispy fried steaks.
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Frequently asked questions
First, season the steaks with salt and pepper and let them sit for about 5 minutes. Then, dredge the steaks in flour, dip them in an egg mixture, and dredge them in flour again. Finally, place the steaks in the air fryer basket, spray them with oil, and cook at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
It takes about 10-15 minutes to cook breaded steak in an air fryer at 380-400°F. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the steak and the desired doneness.
To make sure the breading sticks to the steak, let the steaks sit for about 8-10 minutes before air frying. You can also pat the crumbs onto the meat with a fork to help the breading stick better.
