Frozen Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer Recipe: Your Guide to a Quick & Crispy Dinner

We’ve all had those evenings. You’re peering into the freezer, searching for a quick meal, and you find a box of frozen chicken fried steak. You want that satisfying, comforting crunch, but the thought of dealing with a deep-fryer and all that oil is just too much. So, how can we achieve that perfect, golden-crisp coating while ensuring the steak remains juicy and tender inside? We believe the answer lies with a brilliant kitchen appliance: your air fryer.

We’re here to guide you through using this fantastic gadget to elevate a simple frozen staple into a meal that rivals your favourite local diner. This page contains everything you need for the ultimate Frozen Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer Recipe. It’s a complete game-changer for those hectic weeknight dinners, delivering all the flavour and texture you love with very little effort or mess. Prepare to embrace your new favourite method for a truly satisfying and convenient dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless and Speedy: There’s no need to wait for the oven to preheat or manage messy oil. This recipe gets your steak from the freezer to your dinner plate in under 20 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver on busy nights.
• Unbeatable Crispy Finish: The air fryer’s rapid air circulation technology creates a wonderfully crunchy, golden-brown crust that’s simply not possible in a microwave and is far less greasy than deep-frying. It’s our secret to the perfect crispy air fryer steak.
• A Healthier Alternative: You can enjoy all the satisfying texture of a fried meal but with a fraction of the oil. As most frozen steaks already contain oil in their coating, you often don’t need to add any more.
• Minimal Washing-Up: Forget about oil-splattered worktops and numerous pots and pans. The only thing to clean is the air fryer basket, which is usually non-stick and safe for the dishwasher.
• Wonderfully Versatile: This recipe serves as an excellent base. Enjoy it the classic way with mashed potatoes and gravy, slice it for a hearty sandwich, or even top it with a fried egg for a fantastic brunch.

Ingredients

• frozen, pre-breaded chicken fried steak patties
• cooking oil
• unsalted butter
• plain flour
• whole milk
• freshly cracked black pepper
• cayenne pepper or paprika
• Mashed potatoes
• green beans, peas, or sweetcorn
• Brioche buns
• Cheddar cheese slices

For this comforting meal, we are not just air-frying the steak to perfection; we are also preparing a classic, creamy country gravy to pour over it. Here is the full list of what you will need:

• 2–4 frozen, pre-breaded chicken fried steak patties
• Optional: A light spritz of cooking oil (avocado or vegetable oil work well)
• For the Classic Country Gravy:
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 350ml (approx. 1 ½ cups) whole milk
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to your taste)
• A pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika (optional, for a little warmth)
• For Serving:
• Mashed potatoes
• Steamed green beans, peas, or sweetcorn
• Brioche buns (if making sandwiches)
• Cheddar cheese slices (for sandwiches)

How to Make Frozen Chicken Fried Steak in the Air Fryer

Creating a restaurant-worthy chicken fried steak in your own home has never been more straightforward. We will guide you through the simple steps to cook the steak and whip up a delicious gravy while it sizzles. This method truly is the best way to enjoy air fryer frozen meals.

Step 1: Prepare Your Air Fryer

To begin, we need to get our air fryer ready for action. Preheating is a vital step if you want to achieve that signature crispy coating. Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and allow it to heat up for around 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the cooking starts the moment your frozen steaks enter the basket, which helps to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Fried Steaks

Once your air fryer is preheated, gently place the frozen chicken fried steak patties inside the basket. Keep these key points in mind for the best outcome:

1. Arrange in a Single Layer: It is crucial not to stack or let the steaks overlap. The hot air must be able to circulate all around each patty to ensure it cooks evenly and becomes crisp on all sides. If you are cooking a larger quantity, it’s better to do so in batches.
2. Oil is Usually Unnecessary: Most commercially prepared frozen chicken fried steaks already have sufficient oil in their breading. However, if your brand appears particularly dry, a quick, light spray of cooking oil can help to promote a richer golden colour and extra crispness.
3. Set the Cooking Time: Air fry the steaks for 12–15 minutes. At the halfway point (around 6 or 7 minutes), pause the air fryer and use tongs to gently flip each steak. This step guarantees that both sides become equally golden and crunchy.

Please note that cooking times may differ based on the thickness of your steaks and the specific model of your air fryer, so we recommend treating your first attempt as a trial run.

Step 3: Make the Country Gravy (While the Steaks Cook)

There’s no need to stand by and wait! The steak’s cooking time provides the perfect window to prepare a classic country gravy. It’s wonderfully simple and adds that quintessential creamy, peppery flavour.

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat.
2. Once the butter has melted and is gently foaming, whisk in the plain flour. Keep whisking for a minute or so until you have a smooth, thick paste, known as a roux. This step cooks out any raw flour taste.
3. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to whisk until the mixture is completely smooth.
4. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, at which point it will start to thicken. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring now and then, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
5. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the salt, black pepper, and the optional cayenne. Taste and adjust the seasoning as you see fit. For an extra depth of flavour, you can add a spoonful of the drippings from the air fryer basket into your gravy after the steaks are cooked.

Step 4: Check for Doneness and Serve

Once the 12-15 minutes are up, your steaks should be a beautiful golden-brown colour with a wonderfully crisp texture. To be certain they are cooked safely, the most dependable method is to check with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature ought to be at least 74°C (165°F). For further information on safe food temperatures, we place our trust in the guidance provided by the Food Standards Agency.

When they’re ready, take the steaks out of the air fryer. Serve them straight away whilst they are piping hot and at their crispiest. The traditional way is to place them on a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes, smother them generously with your homemade gravy, and add a side of green vegetables.

Top Tips for the Best Results

If you’d like to ensure a perfect quick chicken fried steak every time you make it, just bear these straightforward tips in mind.

• Cook Directly from Frozen: This recipe is specifically developed for steaks straight from the freezer. If you thaw them first, the breading will likely become soggy, leading to a disappointing texture. For best results, it must be freezer to air fryer.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: We cannot say this enough—give your steaks some space! Good air circulation is absolutely essential for achieving that delightful crispiness. It is worth taking a few extra minutes to cook in batches if necessary.
• Get to Know Your Air Fryer: Different air fryer models can vary in terms of power and cooking efficiency. Your appliance may cook more quickly or slowly than our suggested times. We advise keeping a close eye on your food the first time you try this recipe, and don’t hesitate to adjust the timings and temperature to suit your machine.
• Shake, Don’t Stir: If you’re cooking smaller items like chips alongside your steak, giving the basket a good shake is a much better technique than stirring with a utensil, which could easily damage the breaded coating.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

And there you have it—a straightforward, dependable, and incredibly tasty way to transform a humble frozen meal into something truly special. This Frozen Chicken Fried Steak in Air Fryer Recipe is proof that you don’t need lots of time or elaborate ingredients to put a hearty, comforting dinner on the table. The air fryer handles all the heavy lifting, giving you a perfectly crisp, succulent steak that will have your family asking for more.

We hope this recipe finds a regular spot in your meal plan for those days when you need a dish that’s quick, simple, and deeply satisfying. Give it a go and rediscover the pleasure of a perfectly made chicken fried steak, prepared right in your own kitchen. For more easy and delicious dinner inspiration, why not take a look at our Baked Ranch Chicken or this creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Have you made this dish? Please let us know how you got on in the comments section below. We always enjoy hearing about your culinary adventures!

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Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• 2–4 frozen, pre-breaded chicken fried steak patties
• Cooking oil spray (optional)
• For the Country Gravy:
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 350ml (1 ½ cups) whole milk
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3-5 minutes. Arrange the frozen chicken fried steaks in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd.
2. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through the cooking time. The steaks are done when they are golden brown, crispy, and have an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F).
3. While the steaks cook, prepare the gravy. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
4. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer and let it thicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove the gravy from the heat and stir in the salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne. Serve the hot chicken fried steaks immediately, topped generously with the homemade gravy.