Air Frying Banquet Fry Chicken: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular cooking method due to their health benefits and convenience. They are a great alternative for those without an oven or for those who want to cook without using oil. Banquet chicken can be cooked in an air fryer, and there are several recipes available online. Banquet Chicken Nuggets, Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken, and Banquet Chicken Pot Pie are some of the Banquet chicken products that can be prepared in an air fryer.

Banquet chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Are you tired of deep-frying chicken nuggets for your parties? Using an air fryer for cooking chicken nuggets is a healthier alternative that cuts down on oil and potential messes. It also produces a crispier crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Ingredients

• Banquet Frozen Chicken Nuggets: These can be found in most grocery stores, Walmart, Target, or Aldi. You can make as few as one or as many as 100 nuggets, but remember to cook them in batches for proper air frying.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve with your favourite sauces, such as BBQ sauce, ketchup, or Chick-Fil-A Sauce.

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave enough room for the hot air to circulate properly and cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your chosen dipping sauce and enjoy!

Tips

• Avoid stacking or overlapping the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness.
• Timing is crucial when it comes to air frying. Check frequently and adjust the cooking time as needed for perfect results.
• Cooking in batches is recommended to avoid overcrowding and to achieve the best texture and flavour. This also ensures that every nugget is cooked evenly.

Sides and Dipping Sauces

Some popular side options for chicken nuggets include French fries, onion rings, steamed vegetables (such as green beans or broccoli), sweet potato fries, tater tots, salad, or coleslaw.

For added flavour, serve with dipping sauces such as ranch, barbecue, honey mustard, or ketchup.

Banquet frozen chicken

Banquet offers a range of frozen chicken products that can be cooked in an air fryer, including Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken, Banquet Chicken Nuggets, and Banquet Chicken Pot Pie.

Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken

To cook Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes, turning it once or twice during cooking. Check the temperature at the 15-minute mark and cook in additional five-minute increments until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. It is recommended to use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Banquet Chicken Nuggets

For a quick and easy meal, Banquet Chicken Nuggets can be cooked in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F and place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy. It is important not to stack or overlap the nuggets in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Banquet Chicken Pot Pie

To cook the 7-ounce Banquet Chicken Pot Pie in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Remove the pie from its cardboard box and wrap foil around the pie's edges. Cook for 23 minutes at 380°F, removing the foil with ten minutes left to allow the edges to crisp. As with other Banquet chicken products, it is important to ensure the pot pie is thoroughly cooked before serving.

Air frying is a convenient and healthy way to cook frozen chicken products, as it requires little to no oil and cooks food evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist, tender interior.

Air fryer temperature and time

To cook Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn the chicken once or twice during cooking. Check the temperature at the 15-minute mark and cook in additional five-minute increments until done. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the center.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces. Bigger pieces, such as legs, thighs, and breasts, may need more than 20 minutes to reach the desired temperature. It's important to ensure that your food is thoroughly cooked. Consider investing in a reliable kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken.

When cooking frozen fried chicken in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the chicken for approximately 10-15 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit for fully cooked chicken.

Oil usage

Air fryers are a great way to cut down on oil usage and still achieve crispy, golden results. When it comes to Banquet fried chicken, you can cook it in the air fryer without adding any extra oil. The chicken pieces already contain oil from the initial frying process, so you don't need to add more during the air frying process.

However, if you want to get that extra crispy exterior, spraying a light coat of cooking oil on the chicken pieces before placing them in the air fryer can help. This step is completely optional, but it can enhance the texture and colour of the fried chicken.

For Banquet Chicken Nuggets, a light coating of cooking spray is recommended to achieve a crispy and golden exterior. This can be any type of cooking spray, and it will help you get that perfect crunchy texture without having to use a lot of oil.

When cooking Banquet Chicken Pot Pie in the air fryer, it is not necessary to add any additional oil. The pot pie will cook thoroughly and achieve a crispy exterior without the need for extra oil.

Overall, air frying is a much healthier alternative to traditional deep frying, as it uses little to no oil. By using an air fryer, you can significantly reduce the fat and calorie content of your fried chicken without sacrificing taste and texture. So, if you're looking for a healthier option, the air fryer is a great choice, and you can always adjust the amount of oil you use based on your preferences.

Stacking chicken in the air fryer

Stacking chicken in an air fryer is generally not recommended as it can prevent hot air from circulating and lead to uneven cooking. However, there are techniques and tools that can help you stack chicken successfully in an air fryer.

Firstly, it is crucial to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Most air fryer baskets have a maximum fill line that should not be exceeded. Stacking chicken too high can restrict airflow and lead to soggy, unevenly cooked meat.

If you wish to stack chicken in your air fryer, it is recommended to use racks to create layers. This method works best with medium to large air fryers (7-15 quarts) as smaller air fryers may not have enough space for racks. With a larger air fryer, you can place up to 3-4 racks and stack chicken breasts, tenders, or cutlets. Start stacking from the top rack, placing the chicken on it first, and then move down to the next rack once full. The temperature is highest at the top rack, so it is essential to rotate the meat halfway through frying.

When stacking chicken, it is important to use chicken pieces of similar sizes to ensure even cooking. Additionally, wiping the chicken dry, seasoning, and spraying with a thin layer of oil can enhance the flavour and crispiness of the chicken. However, avoid using too much liquid, as it can drip to the bottom of the air fryer and burn.

While stacking chicken in an air fryer can save time and energy, it is crucial to follow these tips to ensure optimal results. For best outcomes, cook chicken in a single layer, and if stacking, use racks to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.

Frequently asked questions