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Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Creamy Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 55 reviews

This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak recipe offers a healthier twist on a classic southern comfort food by using an air fryer for a crispy, golden crust without deep frying. Tender cube steaks are breaded in a seasoned flour and egg mixture, air fried to perfection, and served with a rich, creamy homemade gravy made from butter, flour, and half-and-half. Perfect for a comforting meal with less oil and mess.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Fried 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 Gravy

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • Milk (as needed to thin)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the breading station. In one shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, beat the egg with half-and-half until smooth.
  2. Bread the steaks. Dip each cube steak first into the flour mixture, tapping off excess. Then coat generously with the egg mixture, followed by another coating of flour, gently pressing the flour so it adheres well. Ensure all steaks are evenly coated.
  3. Preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for about 5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil spray.
  4. Cook the steaks in the air fryer. Arrange the coated steaks in a single layer in the basket without overlapping. Spray the tops of the steaks generously with cooking spray. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side after flipping, until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Make the gravy. While the steaks are cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add half-and-half, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Season with salt and cracked black pepper. Cook, whisking, until the gravy thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Adjust gravy consistency. If the gravy is too thick, whisk in milk a little at a time to reach the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Serve. Plate the crispy air fryer chicken fried steaks and ladle the warm gravy over the top. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use cube steaks approximately 4-5 ounces each for best results and even cooking.
  • Spraying the steaks generously with oil spray ensures a crispy golden crust without deep frying.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, cook the steaks in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure proper air circulation.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper for a milder or spicier flavor.
  • The gravy can be thinned with milk to your preferred consistency.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the air fryer or stovetop.

Keywords: air fryer chicken fried steak, chicken fried steak recipe, air fryer southern steak, crispy chicken fried steak, easy chicken fried steak

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