Air-Fryer Chicken: Can You Use Flour?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying or pan-frying chicken, as they use less oil and are healthier, easier to clean, and quicker. However, the crust won't be as crispy and the chicken won't be as juicy. You can flour chicken and put it in an air fryer, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the flour cooks properly and doesn't burn. Firstly, make sure to coat the chicken with oil before placing it in the air fryer, as this will help the flour cook and prevent it from burning. Secondly, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, and make sure there is enough space for air to circulate around the chicken. Finally, check on the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray any dry spots with oil.

Marinate the chicken in buttermilk

Marinating chicken in buttermilk is a great way to prepare it for frying, and it can be done before air frying. The buttermilk will help keep the chicken moist and tender as it contains lactic acid, which breaks down the chicken's proteins.

You can marinate the chicken in buttermilk for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 24 hours. The longer you leave it, the more tender and flavourful it will be. If you are short on time, you can skip the marination process and simply dip the chicken in buttermilk before coating it with flour.

When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the buttermilk and shake off any excess. Then, coat the chicken with a layer of seasoned flour. You can add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the flour for extra flavour. Make sure to shake off any excess flour so that it doesn't end up floury.

Once the chicken is coated, spray it with a generous amount of cooking spray or oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or canola oil. This step is crucial as it will help the chicken get crispy and golden brown. Place the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 390-400°F for about 25 minutes, flipping it halfway through.

Your buttermilk chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favourite dipping sauce or some classic fried chicken sides.

Coat the chicken with flour

Coating chicken with flour is an important step in the breading process, which gives fried chicken its signature crispy texture and golden colour. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to coat chicken with flour for air frying:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Before coating the chicken with flour, it is important to prepare the meat. Start by washing and drying the chicken pieces thoroughly. You can use any cut of chicken you prefer, such as thighs, drumsticks, breasts, or tenders. Remove any excess fat or skin if desired. You can choose to keep the skin on for extra flavour and moisture, or remove it to reduce the fat content.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, or your choice of seasonings. You can also add other spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour. Rub the spices into the meat and ensure the chicken is well-coated.

Step 3: Prepare the Flour Coating

In a separate container, prepare the flour mixture that will be used to coat the chicken. You can use all-purpose flour or wheat flour for this step. Combine the flour with seasonings to create a well-seasoned coating. A simple option is to mix the flour with salt and pepper. For more flavour, consider adding spices like Old Bay Seasoning, which includes celery salt, red pepper, black pepper, and paprika for that classic fried chicken taste. You can also add cornstarch to the flour mixture to help thicken the batter and create an even crispier coating.

Step 4: Dredge the Chicken in Flour

Now it's time to coat the chicken with flour. Set up a dredging station with the prepared flour mixture in a large bowl or shallow dish. Take each piece of chicken and coat it evenly with the flour mixture. Use tongs or your hands to ensure all sides of the chicken are well-coated. Gently shake off any excess flour from the chicken before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Rest and Repeat (Optional)

At this point, you can choose to let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flour to absorb any moisture and create a stronger breading. You can also dip the chicken in an egg mixture and then coat it with flour again for a thicker breading, though this may require more oil to cook properly in the air fryer.

Step 6: Spray with Oil

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, lightly coat it with oil. You can use an oil mister or brush to apply a thin layer of oil all over the chicken. This step is crucial, as it helps the flour coating crisp up and turn golden during cooking. Make sure to use a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or olive oil.

Step 7: Air Fry the Chicken

Finally, place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have enough space for air to circulate. Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and time, typically around 350°F to 390°F for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray with a bit more oil if needed to ensure even cooking and browning.

By following these steps, you will achieve perfectly coated and crispy chicken that is ready to be air-fried!

Oil the air fryer basket

Oiling the air fryer basket is a crucial step in the frying process. While some foods, such as frozen chicken nuggets, French fries, and pizza rolls, do not require additional oil when cooked in an air fryer, most recipes benefit from a light coating of oil. Oiling the basket helps to ensure even cooking and browning, and prevents food from sticking.

When preparing vegetables or foods that contain little to no fat, it is best to remove any moisture before coating them with oil. This can be done by blotting the food with a paper towel or shaking off any excess marinade. Then, using a pastry brush, lightly brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Alternatively, you can use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray or a refillable oil sprayer/mister to coat the basket with a thin layer of oil. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage the lining of the air fryer basket over time.

Once the basket is coated, it's time to add the food. If you are cooking something like a fish fillet, pizza, or chicken cutlet, it is recommended to pour a small amount of oil into the bottom of the basket before adding the food. For other types of food, you can place them directly in the basket and then use one of the aforementioned methods to lightly coat them with oil. It's important to ensure that the food is not overlapping in the basket, as this can affect the cooking process.

During the cooking process, keep an eye out for dry spots and mist them with oil as needed. This will help ensure even browning and crispiness. Additionally, if you are cooking breaded food, such as chicken tenders or coconut shrimp, a light spray of oil can help prevent dry spots and promote even browning.

Cook the chicken

Now that your chicken is marinated and dredged, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure that the pieces are not overlapping. If your air fryer is not big enough, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, spray the basket and both sides of the chicken with cooking spray or oil. This will help the chicken to crisp up and ensure even cooking. You can use an oil mister or a pastry brush to apply the oil.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350°F and 390°F. The cooking time will depend on the type and size of chicken you are using. For example, chicken tenders will take around 15-16 minutes, while chicken breasts and thighs will take around 25 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time and spray or brush with more oil if needed.

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

If you are cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in a low oven (around 300°F) while cooking the remaining chicken.

Reheat in an air fryer or oven

Reheating in an air fryer or oven is a great way to enjoy your leftover chicken without losing out on the taste and texture. Here's a detailed guide to help you reheat your flour-coated chicken to perfection:

Reheating in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The ideal temperature depends on the type of food you're reheating. For chicken, a slightly higher temperature is preferable to re-crisp the skin and warm the interior without drying it out.
• Place your chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring there's proper air circulation by not overcrowding the basket. For chicken wings or tenders, arrange them in a single layer.
• Reheat for approximately 3-5 minutes for wings, 5-7 minutes for tenders or nuggets, and 8-10 minutes for larger pieces like breasts or thighs. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.
• Check the internal temperature of your chicken. It should reach 165°F to ensure it's thoroughly reheated and safe to consume. If it hasn't reached the desired temperature, add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
• You can spritz your chicken lightly with olive or avocado oil before reheating to enhance crispiness, but this is optional.

Reheating in an Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F.
• Lay out the chicken pieces on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the oven until warmed through and crispy. This usually takes around 8 to 10 minutes.

Tips for Reheating in an Air Fryer:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation, which is crucial for even reheating.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken. The recommended safe internal temperature for reheating foods is 165°F.
• Preheating your air fryer is generally recommended, but it's not necessary. If you choose to skip preheating, you might need to add a little extra cooking time.
• If you're reheating multiple types of food simultaneously in the air fryer, use dividers if available to maintain food quality and ensure even reheating.
• Avoid reheating foods with creamy or cheesy sauces, large cuts of meat, or water-based dishes in the air fryer, as they may not yield the best results.

Frequently asked questions