Air Fryer Chin Chin: Is It Possible?

Chin chin is a popular snack in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, where it originates. It is traditionally deep-fried, but it can also be baked or air-fried for a healthier alternative. Air-frying chin chin is a modern cooking method that uses hot air to cook the snack without any oil. This results in a super healthy treat.

Air fryer settings for chinchin

Air fryers are a simple machine that almost anyone can use. Here are some of the most common and useful functions this magnificent appliance holds.

Check Food Button

This button helps you check how your food is doing inside. You’ll find this button especially helpful when making chinchin. With this button, you can just easily shake the basket to have an even cook on all sides of your snack.

Temperature and Timer Button

This button will adjust the temperature of what you’re cooking and also the cooking time. This feature varies depending on what model you have. The latest models usually have an LCD button where you can find the button. Older and more compact versions have a knob.

Food Presets

Similar to instant pots and slow cookers, this appliance has food presets. It gives you a lot of ideas on what to make with the air fryer. In some air fryers, you could also roast, broil, dehydrate, and bake. Other air fryer models also indicate how much food is recommended per preset.

Preheat Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Set the temperature to 300 degrees F.

Cooking the Chinchin

Remove the basket from the air fryer and spray the basket with cooking oil spray. Place the chinchin in the basket in a single layer. Spray them with a cooking oil spray. Cook for 15-18 minutes. Take the basket out and test the chips. If the chips still aren’t crisp, continue cooking for another 2 minutes. You will have to shake the basket several times for even cooking.

Tips

• It’s ideal to shake the basket of your air fryer, especially when making chinchin, to ensure they don’t stick to the basket.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer as this could lead to uneven cooking or uncooked pieces of chinchin.
• If you end up with raw chinchin, simply pop them back in for about 20 minutes.

Air fryer chinchin recipe

Air Fryer Chin Chin Recipe

Chin chin is a popular West African snack, often enjoyed during the holidays. Traditionally, chin chin is deep-fried, but baking and air frying are healthier alternatives.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup (100g-150g) sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons (2g-4g) grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon (2g) grated lime zest
• 1/3 cup (75.67g) margarine/butter
• 3/4 cup (180ml) milk

Method:

• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, nutmeg, and grated lime.
• Add the butter to the flour and mix well until the butter is fully incorporated.
• Whisk the egg into the mixture. Keep mixing until a sticky dough ball is formed.
• Place the dough ball onto a floured surface and knead, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
• Divide the dough in half. On a floured board, roll each half to about 1/6 inches thick. You can use a pasta machine to make this easier. Cut into your desired shapes.
• Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Set the temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Remove the basket from the air fryer and spray with cooking oil spray.
• Place the chin chin in the basket in a single layer and spray with cooking oil spray.
• Cook for 15-18 minutes. If the chin chin is not yet crisp, continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Shake the basket several times during cooking to ensure even cooking.

Tips:

• It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the chin chin from sticking together.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the type of air fryer used and the desired colour/crispiness. Adjust the settings accordingly.
• For oven instructions, see below.

Oven Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375-400 ºF.
• Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.
• Place the chin chin on the sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Bake for 6-10 minutes, depending on your oven.

Variations:

• For a coconut twist, replace the milk with coconut milk and add a dash of coconut flavouring.
• For a chocolatey version, sift cocoa powder over the dry ingredients.
• For a sugar-free option, replace the sugar with honey or a sugar-free sweetener.
• For a vegan version, use plant-based milk, margarine instead of butter, and water or plant-based milk instead of the egg.

Air fryer chinchin recipe variations

Air Fryer Chin Chin Recipe Variations

Air fryer Chin Chin is a healthier version of the traditional West African holiday snack, Chin Chin. The recipe for Air Fryer Chin Chin is similar to the traditional recipe, with the exception of one ingredient. Here are some variations on the Air Fryer Chin Chin recipe:

Coconut Chin Chin

For a rich twist, swap out half the butter with coconut oil, and the milk with coconut milk. If you want an even more coconutty flavour, add some coconut flavouring to the mix.

Chocolate Chin Chin

Chocolate lovers can swap out 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and leave out the nutmeg.

Vegan Chin Chin

Use plant-based butter like margarine, and swap out the milk for a plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk. Leave out the egg and swap it for a quarter of a cup of water or more plant-based milk.

Sugar-Free Chin Chin

You can make your chin chin sugar-free by swapping out the sugar with honey or sugar-free sweeteners like Monkfruit-Erythritol blend. If using honey, you may need to adjust the consistency with a little more flour.

Cinnamon Sugar Chin Chin

Swap out the sugar in the recipe for brown sugar and the nutmeg for cinnamon.

How to make chinchin in an air fryer

Chinchin is a popular West African snack, often enjoyed during the holidays. Traditionally, it is deep-fried, but baking and air frying are healthier alternatives. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make chinchin in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 280g all-purpose flour
• 90g granulated sugar
• ¼ cup salted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk

Method:

• Mix the sugar, flour, and nutmeg in a bowl.
• Add the melted butter, milk, and beaten egg into the dry mixture.
• Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut into strips first horizontally, then vertically, using a knife or pizza wheel.
• Divide the dough into 2 batches.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Arrange the first batch of dough in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Air fry at 350°F for 15-18 minutes.
• Repeat for the other batches, if necessary.

Tips:

• It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Shake the basket at 5-minute intervals to prevent the chinchin from sticking together.
• If you want to add a bit of crispiness, you can lightly spray the dough with oil before air frying.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and your desired level of doneness, so adjust accordingly.

Storing air fryer chinchin

Storing Air-Fryer Chin Chin

Air-fried chin chin is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version of this popular West African snack. But how do you keep your air-fried chin chin crunchy and delicious after cooking?

Firstly, it is important to let the chin chin cool down to room temperature before storing. Then, place the chin chin in an airtight container or jar. It is best not to use a plastic bag or zip lock as these can easily be left partially open, letting air in and making your chin chin stale. Leave a little extra space in the container so you can close it tightly, and your chin chin will stay fresh for about a month.

If you want to keep your chin chin for longer, you can also store it in the refrigerator, where it will last for 4-5 days, or in the freezer for up to a month.

Frequently asked questions