Floured Chicken In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying or pan-frying chicken, and you can still use flour to get that crispy fried texture. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your floured chicken cooks evenly and doesn't end up with dry or raw spots. Firstly, it's important to coat the chicken with a light layer of oil before placing it in the air fryer. This helps the flour cook evenly and prevents it from tasting dry or raw. Secondly, make sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray any dry spots with oil to ensure even cooking. Finally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and even cooking. By following these tips, you can achieve delicious, crispy floured chicken in your air fryer.

Marinade the chicken in buttermilk

Marinating chicken in buttermilk is a great way to keep the meat moist and juicy, while also adding a tangy flavour. The buttermilk acts as a tenderiser, so the chicken benefits from being soaked for at least an hour, but preferably for 12-24 hours. This will ensure the chicken is tender and allow the buttermilk and spices to fully penetrate the meat.

To make a basic buttermilk marinade, whisk together buttermilk, mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. You can also add spices like smoked paprika, thyme, or rosemary. Pour the marinade into a resealable plastic bag and add the chicken pieces, coating them in the mixture. Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bag, then refrigerate for 1-24 hours.

After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag and shake off any excess buttermilk. Then, you can coat the chicken in seasoned flour and cook it in your air fryer.

Use a flour mixture with seasoning

To make flour-coated chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare a flour mixture with seasoning. This mixture will be used to coat the chicken pieces before they are placed in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the flour mixture

Combine flour with your choice of seasonings in a large bowl. You can use a whisk or a fork to mix the ingredients together thoroughly. Some popular seasoning options include:

• Old Bay Seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Seasoning salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Black pepper

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite flavour profile.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Start by patting the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. You can use any cut of chicken you prefer, but bone-in and skin-on pieces tend to result in juicier, more flavourful chicken. You can also use boneless and skinless chicken, but the coating may not adhere as well, and the chicken may not be as crispy.

Once the chicken is dry, you can optionally season it with salt and pepper, or another seasoning blend of your choice. This step will add extra flavour to your chicken.

Step 3: Coat the chicken with the flour mixture

There are a few different methods you can use to coat the chicken with the flour mixture:

• Dredge the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, turning to coat all sides, and then shake off any excess flour.
• Use a plastic bag: Place the flour mixture and chicken pieces into a large plastic bag. Shake the bag to coat the chicken evenly.
• Use a container with a lid: Place the flour mixture into a container with a lid, such as a large plastic or glass container. Add the chicken pieces, cover the container, and shake to coat the chicken evenly.

Make sure that each piece of chicken is evenly and thoroughly coated with the flour mixture. This will ensure a crispy, golden crust forms during cooking.

Step 4: Place the chicken in the air fryer

Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. It's important to leave space between the pieces to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Lightly spray the chicken with oil, such as canola or vegetable oil. This step will help the chicken crisp up and turn golden brown. Avoid using olive oil, as it has a lower smoke point and may burn.

Step 5: Cook the chicken

Set the air fryer to 390°F and cook the chicken for 25 minutes. For smaller pieces, such as chicken tenders, reduce the cooking time to 15-16 minutes. For larger pieces, such as chicken breasts, you may need to increase the cooking time.

About halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and check the chicken. Use tongs to flip the pieces, and spray any dry spots with additional oil to ensure even cooking and browning.

Step 6: Check the doneness of the chicken

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat. For chicken thighs, you can cook them to a higher temperature (180-185°F) to break down the meat fibres and make them more tender.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure the chicken is nice and juicy.

Serve your air-fried chicken with your favourite sides, such as coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or a green salad. Enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. While some models don't have a preheat setting, doing so will ensure your food is cooked evenly and achieve the desired level of crispiness.

To preheat your air fryer to 390°F, start by turning on your appliance and ensuring it's clean and ready to go. If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set the temperature, and wait for the preheat light to go off. If not, manually heat your air fryer to 390°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This will get the hot air moving before you put your food in, helping to create a crispy texture.

Preheating your air fryer to 390°F is ideal for cooking fried chicken, french fries, potato chips, tortilla chips, and wings. It's also suitable for baking cakes, donuts, and cookies, as it ensures an even temperature from the start of the cooking process.

Remember, always refer to your air fryer's instruction manual for specific guidelines on preheating and never preheat your air fryer with parchment paper inside, as it may burn.

Mist the chicken with oil

Misting the chicken with oil is an important step in the air frying process. This is because the oil helps to ensure that the chicken doesn't stick to the air fryer basket during cooking. It also helps to create a crispy exterior on the chicken.

It is recommended to use an oil mister to apply the oil to the chicken, as this allows you to precisely control the amount of oil being used. You can also use a pastry brush to apply the oil.

It is important to note that you should not use aerosol nonstick cooking sprays, such as Pam, as these can contain additives that will damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time.

When misting the chicken with oil, be sure to coat both sides of the chicken pieces evenly. It is okay if the chicken pieces are touching in the air fryer, but they should not overlap, as this will allow for better airflow and even cooking.

During the cooking process, it is a good idea to check the chicken halfway through and mist any dry spots with a little more oil. This will help ensure that the chicken doesn't dry out and that the breading becomes crispy.

Cook for 25 minutes

Once your floured chicken is in the air fryer, you'll want to cook it for 25 minutes. Depending on the type of chicken you're cooking, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing. For example, chicken tenders will take less time to cook than chicken thighs.

For chicken thighs, you'll want to cook them in the air fryer for 25-28 minutes until they reach a temperature of 180-185°F. Chicken breasts should be cooked for around 25 minutes, depending on their thickness. If you have large breasts, they will take longer. You want the internal temperature to reach 165°F.

Chicken tenders will take 15-16 minutes to cook, depending on their thickness.

If you're cooking chicken legs, set the temperature to 360°F and cook for 15-20 minutes. Open the basket and spray any flour with the cooking spray. Turn the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the meat is no longer pink.

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