Breaded Delights: Air Fryer Magic

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, including breaded items. Breaded chicken, for instance, is a popular dish to cook in an air fryer, as it results in crispy, golden, and tasty chicken without the calories of deep-fried chicken. Frozen breaded items, such as chicken tenders, chicken fingers, and fish fillets, can also be cooked in an air fryer and yield excellent results.

To cook breaded items in an air fryer, it is recommended to spray the food with cooking oil and then cook it at a high temperature for a short amount of time. This method ensures that the breaded item cooks evenly and quickly, resulting in a crispy texture.

In addition to breaded items, air fryers can be used to cook a variety of other foods, including vegetables, potatoes, chicken wings, and even desserts.

How to get breading to stick to an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook breaded food, as they can cook the batter and the food inside evenly. Here are some tips to ensure your breading sticks to your food when using an air fryer:

Prepare the Food

• Ensure the food is dry before breading. Blot any excess moisture with paper towels and allow to air-dry further.
• Lightly season the food with salt and pepper, avoiding wet marinades.
• Refrigerate the food for 30 minutes to an hour before breading.
• Lightly coat the food in flour before breading.
• Use an adhesive such as egg white or flour mixed with water to help the breading stick.

Choose the Right Food

• Oily fish such as salmon and tuna repel breading. Lean fish such as tilapia, cod, and catfish are better choices.
• Delicate, flaky fish like sole can't handle heavy breading and tend to fall apart. Meaty, flaky varieties like cod, halibut, and tilapia hold up well.
• Fresh fish has less surface moisture than thawed frozen fish.

Air Fryer Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. This can create a steaming effect instead of a crisping one. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Flip the food halfway through for even crispiness.
• Cover the food completely with breadcrumbs to seal in the moisture and keep it juicy.
• Spray the food with cooking oil before cooking.

How to cook breaded chicken in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook breaded chicken in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, parsley, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, lemon, garlic powder, oregano, paprika

Method:

Firstly, prep the chicken by patting it dry and slicing each breast in half lengthwise. You may also want to pound the chicken with a meat mallet to ensure it is of an even thickness.

Next, coat the chicken. In one bowl, whisk the eggs, and in another, combine the breadcrumbs with any other dry ingredients you wish to add. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs into the chicken.

Now, place the chicken into the air fryer. Lay the chicken in a single layer in the preheated air fryer, and spray with olive oil or cooking spray. Note that you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Cook the chicken at 390°F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. For extra crispy chicken, flip the chicken halfway through and spray again with oil or cooking spray.

Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon if desired, then serve.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chicken, use parmesan breadcrumbs.
• To prevent the breading from falling off, dry the chicken thoroughly before coating, and press the breadcrumbs into the chicken as you coat it.
• For juicy chicken, choose thinner chicken breasts, or slice each breast in half lengthwise.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking and ensure the air fryer basket is clean to allow the air to circulate all around the chicken.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent steaming the chicken instead of crisping it.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so adjust the temperature and time as needed.

What types of food to avoid cooking in an air fryer

While air fryers are incredibly versatile, there are some foods that are best avoided when using one. Here is a list of food types that you should not cook in an air fryer:

Wet-Battered Foods

Wet batter will drip off into the air fryer, creating a mess and potentially burning. Wet batter also won't set in the same way it does when submerged in oil, so you won't get that crunchy texture. Instead, use a classic three-step breading procedure of flour, egg dip, and a crisp coating.

Leafy Greens

Leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and chard are too light and will blow around in the air fryer, resulting in uneven cooking. Broccoli is another vegetable that can dry out and become bitter in an air fryer.

Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts

Large cuts of meat with bones, like a whole chicken, are better suited for roasting in an oven. An air fryer is unlikely to cook these evenly, and you may end up with overcooked or raw portions. Smaller cuts like chicken wings or tenders are better suited for air frying.

Cheese

Cheese melts quickly and can create a mess in your air fryer. It's best to avoid using cheese in an air fryer unless it's a type of cheese with a high melting point, like halloumi, or if it has a coating, like mozzarella sticks.

Popcorn

Most air fryers won't reach the required temperature to pop kernels, and they can become lodged in the heating element, creating a fire hazard. It's much safer to make popcorn on a stovetop or in a microwave.

Raw Grains and Pasta

Grains and pasta need to be boiled in water to cook properly, and while you can add a little water to an air fryer, it's not designed for boiling or steaming. Cook these foods on a stovetop or in a pressure cooker instead.

How to cook battered food in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook battered food in an air fryer, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer as it will drip off and not create the desired crunchy shell. Instead, opt for a classic three-step breading procedure: dredge your food in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. This will give you that crispy texture you're looking for.

• Use air fryer-specific recipes: When craving foods with wet batters, look for recipes designed for air fryers. These recipes often include a coating that works better in an air fryer than traditional wet batters.
• Preheat your air fryer: Most air fryers only need a couple of minutes to preheat, and this step is essential for achieving a crispy texture.
• Use air fryer liners: Line your air fryer basket with silicone or parchment paper liners. This makes cleanup easier and helps catch any mess from sticky or saucy foods.
• Lightly coat your food with oil: A light coating of oil can help your food get that golden, crispy texture. Avoid aerosol sprays that contain lectin, as they can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
• Check your food regularly: It's important to keep an eye on your food while it's cooking. For items like fries, sausages, or chicken tenders, shake the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even browning.

Now, let's go through the steps of cooking battered food in your air fryer:

• Prepare your food: Start by coating your food with a dry breading mixture. You can use flour, breadcrumbs, or cornmeal. If you want a thicker coating, dip the food in an egg wash before coating it with the breading.
• Preheat your air fryer: Most air fryers have preheat settings, so simply select the desired temperature and wait for it to heat up.
• Place the food in the air fryer: Arrange the battered food in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between the pieces to allow for even cooking.
• Cook at a high temperature for a short time: Cooking battered food at a high temperature will help create a crispy exterior. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the type of food and the specific model of your air fryer, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Flip or shake the food during cooking: To ensure even cooking and browning, you may need to flip or shake the food halfway through the cooking process. Again, refer to your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines.
• Remove the food when it's done: Once your food is cooked to your desired level of doneness, take it out of the air fryer and serve it immediately.

Remember, every air fryer is different, so you may need to experiment with temperatures and cooking times to find the perfect settings for your particular model. Additionally, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for safe and effective use of your air fryer.

How to cook frozen breaded food in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen breaded food in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Some recipes recommend cooking frozen breaded food at around 350–400°F. However, it is not necessary to preheat the air fryer when cooking frozen food, as it can reduce the actual cooking time by a minute or so.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Breaded Food

Place the frozen breaded food in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is some space around each piece for the air to circulate and crisp them up. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can result in uneven cooking. For foods like mozzarella sticks or egg rolls, fill the basket about halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, like chicken wings, place them in a single layer in the basket.

Step 3: Cook the Food

Cooking times will vary depending on the type of food and the specific model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, frozen breaded chicken breasts typically take around 15–20 minutes to cook through at 350–400°F. Frozen breaded fish fillets usually take around 12–15 minutes to cook at 400°F. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the food with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature. For example, breaded fish should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F.

Step 4: Flip and Cook Further (if needed)

Depending on the food and your air fryer, you may need to flip the food halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. For example, when cooking frozen breaded chicken, you can air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and continue cooking at the same temperature for another 2–6 minutes or until cooked through and crispy.

Tips:

• You don't need to add oil to the food before cooking, as the air fryer uses hot air to cook. However, some recipes suggest spraying the food with cooking oil or coating it lightly with oil to help the breading stick and get a crispy texture.
• Avoid using wet batter with an air fryer, as it will drip off and create a mess. Instead, use a classic three-step breading procedure of flour, egg dip, and a crisp coating.
• Always refer to the instructions that came with your air fryer for specific guidelines and recommendations.

Frequently asked questions