Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Fried Steak
Description
Here's how to make Cracker Barrel-style Chicken Fried Steak in the air fryer—tender, crispy, and way less greasy than deep-fried, but still full of that comfort food flavor:
Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks, tenderized beef steaks
- 1 cup buttermilk, or whole milk with 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Optional White Gravy (classic Cracker Barrel touch):
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat cube steaks dry with paper towels.
- In one bowl: whisk together buttermilk and egg.
- In another bowl: mix flour, seasoned salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Dip steak into flour mix, then into the buttermilk/egg, then back into the flour mix again. Press the coating on well for that classic crispy crust.
- Let coated steaks rest on a baking sheet for 10–15 minutes to help the breading stick better during air frying.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
- Spray the basket and both sides of the steak with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side.
- They should be golden brown and reach an internal temp of 145°F–160°F depending on preference.
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour to make a roux.
- Slowly add milk while whisking constantly until thick and smooth.
- Season with salt and plenty of black pepper.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 46gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 1427mgPotassium: 863mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 513IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 240mgIron: 5mg