Name: Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 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; 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 gravy

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 4 reviews

If you’re craving a classic comfort food with a crispy twist, you’re going to absolutely adore this Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels indulgent but without the mess or heaviness of traditional frying. I remember the first time I tried making chicken fried steak in the air fryer—I was skeptical, but it turned out golden, crunchy, and juicy in the best possible way. Plus, that creamy homemade gravy? It’s the perfect match for the crispy coating. Stick around—I’ll walk you through every step to make sure yours comes out just as amazing as mine did.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy Without Deep Frying: The air fryer gives you that perfect, crunchy coating without all the oil and mess of traditional frying.
Speedy Comfort Food: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that feels special.
Creamy Gravy that Steals the Show: The homemade cream gravy is silky, flavorful, and the perfect complement to the crispy steak.
Customizable Spice Blend: You can tweak the seasoning in the breading to suit your heat level or taste preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays an important role, from giving that signature crispy crust to balancing flavors in the cream gravy. Choosing quality cube steaks and using a mix of flour and cornstarch ensures a crackly texture you’ll love. And with simple pantry staples, this recipe is totally doable without special trips to the store.

Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe - Ingredients

Cube steaks: These are perfect because they’re tenderized and thin, which helps the breading stick and cooks quickly in the air fryer.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base for the breading and also thickens the gravy beautifully.
Cornstarch: Adds extra crispiness to the coating — I never skip it!
Spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, pepper): These pack in classic Southern flavor while keeping things balanced.
Egg and half-and-half: The egg wash locks the flour in place and gives the breading a rich texture, while half-and-half makes the coating a little indulgent.
Butter: Essential for a silky cream gravy, it creates a roux when combined with flour.
Half-and-half for gravy: It gives the gravy a luscious creaminess without being too heavy — you can swap for milk, but I prefer half-and-half for richness.

Note:
Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

I love tossing in extra cayenne or smoked paprika for a little smoky heat, but the beauty here is you can dial the spices up or down to suit your mood. Sometimes I even swap milk for buttermilk to soak the steaks first – it makes them extra tender and adds a subtle tang.

Buttermilk soak: Soak your cube steaks for 30 minutes in buttermilk before breading to tenderize and add depth of flavor.
Spicy twist: Add cayenne or smoked paprika to the flour mix for a smoky, spicy kick that wakes up the flavor.
Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use cornstarch to keep that crispy texture.
Dairy-free modification: Use almond or oat milk instead of half-and-half, and coconut oil as the fat for gravy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe - Recipe Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Breading Station

Set up two shallow bowls. The first is your seasoned flour mixture packed with spices and cornstarch — this is key for that crackly exterior. In the second, beat the egg with half-and-half until smooth. Make sure everything is within arm’s reach so you can dip and coat without a mess. This double-dipping process locks in a thick, crispy crust that I promise is worth the little extra step.

Step 2: Bread the Steaks Carefully

Dip each cube steak first into the flour, tapping off excess, then immediately dunk it in the egg mixture. Don’t skimp here — coat both sides well. Then plunge it right back into the flour mix and gently press the flour onto the surface so it sticks. This double-coating helps the breading stay put during air frying and gives you that chicken fried texture.

Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket lightly with oil. Place the steaks in a single layer, leaving space for hot air to circulate. Generously spray each steak with olive or avocado oil spray — this is a total game-changer for achieving a golden crust. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side too. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook; cube steaks cook quickly and can dry out if left too long.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Gravy

While the steaks are crisping, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, whisking continuously for a minute to cook out the raw flavor. Slowly drizzle in half-and-half while whisking to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the gravy thickens—usually about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste. If it gets too thick, just whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it up.

Step 5: Serve Hot and Enjoy

Plate your golden, crispy steaks, spoon the velvety cream gravy over the top, and dig in while it’s hot. The combo of crunch and creaminess is pure comfort on a plate — trust me, everyone always asks for seconds.

Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe

Don’t Skip the Double Dredge: The key to that crispy crust is coating the steak twice in flour — it creates texture and locks in moisture.
Generous Oil Spray: Spray both sides of your breaded steaks before air frying — this mimics frying oil and gets your crust perfectly golden.
Avoid Overcrowding: Give each steak space in the air fryer so hot air can circulate evenly — cook in batches if necessary.
Keep Warm Trick: If cooking in batches, keep cooked steaks on a warming tray or low-heat oven so they stay crispy and hot.

How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper on top of the gravy for a rustic touch. These simple garnishes brighten up the plate and complement the creamy gravy wonderfully.

Side Dishes

Classic mashed potatoes are my go-to, especially because they soak up that delicious cream gravy. Creamed corn, green beans, or a crisp salad also pair perfectly to balance the richness. If you want a bit of crunch, try roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple coleslaw on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this steak sliced over creamy grits or even stacked it with fried green tomatoes and a drizzle of gravy on top — always a crowd-pleaser. You can also make mini slider versions for parties by using smaller pieces of cube steak.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover chicken fried steaks in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the gravy separate so the crust stays crispy when reheated.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen cooked steaks by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.

Reheating

To keep that crisp crust, reheat the steaks in a warm air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes rather than the microwave. Reheat gravy gently on the stovetop, whisking to smooth out any separation.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef besides cube steaks for this recipe?

Cube steaks are ideal here because they’re tenderized and thin, which helps the breading stick and cooks quickly. If you want to use sirloin or round steak, you’ll need to pound them thin and tenderize them yourself. The texture might be a bit different, but with good breading and air frying, it can still work.
Is the cream gravy recipe dairy-free or can it be adapted?

The traditional cream gravy uses butter and half-and-half, which contain dairy. You can substitute with dairy-free butter and unsweetened almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different. Using a thickener like cornstarch can help maintain creaminess.
How do I make sure the breading stays crispy when reheated?

The best way is to reheat in an air fryer or oven instead of a microwave. The hot circulating air refreshes the crust and keeps it crunchy. Avoid covering the steak when reheating so steam doesn’t soften the breading.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can bread the steaks ahead and store them uncooked in the fridge for a few hours before air frying. The cream gravy is best made fresh but can be reheated gently on the stove. Just keep the components separate until serving for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy Recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen whenever I want something hearty but without the fuss of frying. It’s cozy, satisfying, and the air fryer makes it so much easier and cleaner to prepare. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy that crispy, southern-style steak with luscious cream gravy, I genuinely recommend giving this a try. It hits all the right notes, and I’m confident you’ll be making it over and over again!