Air Fryer Chicken: Can You Use Battered Chicken?

Air fryers are a popular alternative to deep-fat frying, offering a healthier, quicker, and less messy way to cook fried chicken. But can you use batter in an air fryer? The short answer is no. Wet batter will drip off the chicken and make a mess, whereas a dry coating will give you the crispy texture and golden colour you're looking for.

Can you use batter in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-fat frying or pan-frying, offering a healthier, quicker, and less messy way to cook fried chicken. But can you use batter in an air fryer?

The short answer is no. Air fryers are like tiny ovens, and wet batter will not set without hot oil. The batter will drip off the chicken and make a mess in your air fryer.

Dry batter can work in an air fryer. You can coat your chicken in a flour mixture, but make sure there are no excess flour spots that haven't absorbed moisture. You can also use a flour, egg, and breadcrumb mix, but make sure to spray the chicken with cooking spray to help the coating crisp up.

Tips for using batter in an air fryer

• Don't overcrowd your air fryer. Leave enough space between the chicken pieces for the air to circulate.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray to help the coating crisp up and prevent floury spots.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Don't use aerosol non-stick cooking spray as it can damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time. Instead, use a mister or pastry brush to apply oil.
• Marinate your chicken in buttermilk before coating and air-frying for extra tender and juicy chicken.

How to make battered chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken (bone-in chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or breasts are recommended)
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Flour
• Seasoning (e.g. Old Bay, Cajun, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)
• Cooking spray

Method

• Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 5-10 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• Combine flour and seasoning in a large plastic food storage bag.
• Bread each piece of chicken by shaking it in the flour mixture, then dipping it in the buttermilk, and finally dredging it in the flour again.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Mist the bottom of the air fryer basket and both sides of the chicken with oil.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer, ensuring the pieces do not overlap.
• Air fry for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
• Open the basket and spray any flour with cooking spray.
• Turn the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips:

• It is important to mist the chicken with oil to create a crunchy texture and ensure even cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer, as this will affect the cooking process. Cook in batches if necessary.
• If you are using skinless chicken, the batter may not stick as well, so consider using skin-on chicken for best results.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing milk with lemon juice or vinegar.

How to make crispy battered chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken (bone-in chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or breasts are recommended for the best flavor)
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Flour
• Seasoning (such as Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper)
• Oil or cooking spray

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to around 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the chicken by trimming any excess fat and seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 5-10 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• Combine flour and seasoning in a large plastic bag and shake to mix.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Dip the chicken in an egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Spray or brush the chicken with oil.
• Air fry at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size and type of chicken pieces.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time and spray with oil again if needed.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit when cooked.

Tips:

• It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Do not use aerosol non-stick cooking sprays as they can damage the coating of the air fryer basket. Instead, use an oil mister or brush.
• For extra crispy chicken, let the breading air dry on the chicken for about 10 minutes before air frying.

Can you use frozen chicken for battered chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken for battered chicken in an air fryer. In fact, some recipes recommend cooking frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer as it is a quick and easy way to cook juicy chicken.

However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. It is recommended to cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer for around 20-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Additionally, to ensure even cooking, it is best to use chicken breasts that are of similar size.

Furthermore, it is important to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked. This can be done using an instant-read meat thermometer.

Some tips for cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer include:

• Preheating the air fryer to 400°F before adding the chicken.
• Leaving a little space between each chicken breast to allow for even cooking.
• Brushing the chicken with sauce during the last few minutes of cooking or after removing it from the air fryer.

It is also worth noting that while you can cook frozen battered chicken in an air fryer, wet batter may not work as well as dry batter. Some people have reported that wet batter can create a mess in the air fryer. Therefore, it may be better to stick to dry coatings, such as flour or breadcrumbs, when cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer.

How long to cook battered chicken in an air fryer?

The cooking time for battered chicken in an air fryer will depend on the cut of chicken you are using and how full your air fryer basket is.

For chicken thighs, it is recommended to cook them for 25-28 minutes in the air fryer until they reach a temperature of 180-185°F. If you prefer your chicken to be more tender, you can cook the thighs to 165°F, but this will result in less breakdown of the meat fibres.

Chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer for 25 minutes, depending on their thickness. Larger breasts will take longer to cook. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Chicken tenders will take less time, around 15-16 minutes, depending on their thickness.

For air fryer fried chicken, it is recommended to cook the chicken for 15 minutes, then flip it over, spray with cooking spray, and cook for another 5 minutes. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to check the user manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Additionally, different recipes and batter thicknesses can also affect the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions