These delicious fried steak fingers are the perfect appetizer recipe. Made with skirt steak, these are seasoned perfectly, fried to perfection, and served with a delicious dipping sauce. Easy to make and always a hit!
I love making these crispy, steak strip treats for friends and family. Of course, they are amazing appetizers, but I’ve made them for dinner the same way that I would chicken fingers. I just pair them with some mashed potatoes or home fries and a vegetable, and I have a complete meal. I also love serving this at backyard bashes with all the classic sides like BBQ baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and all our other favorites. Perhaps my favorite way to serve them, however, is simply putting them on a plate and pairing them with some dipping sauce. Oh, they are so good.
Fried Steak Fingers
Fried steak fingers are just what they sound like. They’re tender, delicious skirt steak strips coated and fried to delicious, tender on the inside, crispy on the outside perfection. They’re basically the beef equivalent of chicken fingers, and they are so, so good. The skirt steak is key to getting a tender steak finger. From there, a simple dry, wet, dry batter method featuring buttermilk and some spicy seasoning is coated on the steak fingers, and they’re pan-fried to perfection. You won’t find a better steak fry recipe. I’ll put money on it. Not really, but you understand what I’m saying.
A Delicious Appetizer or Main Course
One of the great things about these steak fingers is that they can be either an appetizer or a main course. You can’t say that about all appetizers. Think about it. You probably wouldn’t serve up pigs in a blanket for dinner. Well, okay. I know some people who would, but not most of us. These steak fingers, however, are just as good for dinner as they are for a side, so they’re super convenient and versatile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about fried steak fingers, then look no further. The following FAQ answers all the most commonly asked questions about steak fingers.
What are steak fingers made of?
Steak fingers are made of steak strips – usually top sirloin or skirt steak – that are battered with either a tempura mixture or flour-based batter and then fried in oil.
Can you cook steak fingers in air fryer?
Absolutely. Simply layer them in a single layer in a 400-degree air fryer and cook for 9 – 11 minutes, flipping them halfway between cooking. Be sure that you don’t have any excess batter on your steak fingers, however, or you’ll get a drippy mess in your air fryer.
Why is the breading not sticking to the steak?
If you use too much flour on your first dredge, the buttermilk mixture won’t be able to latch onto the steak. Be sure to remove any excess flour after the first dredge.
What to serve with fried steak fingers?
All kinds of things go well with steak fingers. Some great options include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Potato wedges
- French fries
- Vegetables
- BBQ baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Coleslaw
- Dipping sauce
Can you freeze fried steak fingers?
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. The coating is never the same after it’s been defrosted. It’s usually soggy, or at the very least soft.
Variations and Tips
While this is a fairly straightforward recipe, I do have some tips to help make it as delicious as possible. I also have some great variations to help you make it your own!
Tips
- Make sure the oil is hot enough. If your oil is too cool, the breading will absorb too much oil and become soggy.
- While frying, be sure you don’t overcrowd the skillet. Overcrowding will cool the oil too much and won’t give the steak fries enough room to adequately fry on all sides.
- Set up your dredging station with 3 separate bowls. This reduces mess and allows you to control how much dry and liquid breading ingredients are on the steak fries.
Variations
- Use your favorite seasonings for the recipe. Simply mix them into the flour to season your steak fingers.
- Serve these fried steak fingers with all kinds of great sauces for dipping. Some excellent choices are country gravy, white gravy, BBQ sauce, mayo with mustard, ranch dressing, avocado ranch, and of course, the old standby – ketchup.
Storing and Reheating Fried Steak Fingers
Store these steak fingers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat them, place them on a baking sheet lined with foil. Then place another piece of foil over the top of them. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes until heated through and crisp.
Fried Steak Finger Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these delicious steak fingers. You’ll likely have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already. The rest can be easily found at your local grocery store.
- Skirt steak (cut into strips)
- All purpose flour, divided
- Buttermilk
- Large egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to Make Fried Steak Fingers
Making these steak fingers is just as easy as gathering up the ingredients for them. It only takes a few simple steps, and you’ll have yourself some tasty beefy treats!
Step 1: Prep
Set up a dredging station using three shallow bowls. Add ¾ cups flour to one bowl; whisk buttermilk and egg in the second bowl; and combine flour, bread crumbs, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to the third bowl.
Step 2: Batter the Steak Fingers
Dip each strip of steak into the flour mixture, tapping off any excess. Then, dip them in the buttermilk egg mixture. Finally, dredge the steak in the flour and bread crumb mixture. Be sure to thoroughly coat the steak strips at each station, but don’t overdo it!
Step 3: Fry
Heat your oil in a large frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry in batches of 6 to 8 steak fingers at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Use tongs to place them in the pan. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the fried steak fingers and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Salt and pepper to taste and serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Try These Fried Steak Fingers Today
These delicious fried steak fingers make excellent appetizers or even a main dish when paired with vegetables and some type of potatoes. However you choose to serve them, one thing’s for sure – you and your family will love them. Give these fried steak fingers a try, and I know you’ll love them as much as my family and I do.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
Crispy Fried Chicken Drumsticks – A super easy and simple fried chicken recipe that is made with the perfect amount of seasonings and fried until golden brown and crispy.
Pecan Crusted Chicken Strips – This chicken is crusted in a pecan coating and topped with a honey drizzle that is to die for.
Barbecue Chicken Nuggets – These are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and made with a secret ingredient – potato chips! These sweet and spicy barbecue chicken nuggets are perfect for a fun dinner, appetizers, gameday addition, and so much more.
And, these Chicken Fried Steak Fingers from Great Grub, Delicious Treats are a delicious appetizer recipe made with cube steak.
Fried Steak Fingers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skirt steak, cut into thin strips
- 1½ cups all purpose flour divided
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1-2 cups cups vegetable oil
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Set up a dredging station using 3 shallow bowls.
- In the first bowl, pour in ¾ cup flour.
- In the second shallow bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg together.
- In the last bowl, whisk remaining flour, bread crumbs, Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes together.
- Dip each strip of steak into the flour mixture, then buttermilk and mixture, and finally in the flour and bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat each strip at each station.
- Heat oil in large frying pan over medium high heat.
- Add each piece into hot oil, 6-8 at a time, and cook a couple minutes on each side.
- Remove and place on plate lined with paper towels.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.
