Air Fryer Chicken Fingers: Flour Or Not?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying or pan-frying chicken fingers, as they use a tiny fraction of the oil and are easier to clean. But can you use flour in the air fryer? The answer is yes, but it's important to note that the flour coating may not get fully hydrated and turn into a crispy crust without the use of some oil. Some recipes suggest coating the chicken in an egg wash or misting with oil before adding flour to ensure the flour cooks properly and doesn't stay white and powdery.

Marinating chicken tenders in buttermilk

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken tenders
• Buttermilk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Steps

• Combine the chicken tenders with the buttermilk and any desired seasonings in a large sealable bag. You can also add other spices like cayenne pepper and garlic powder for extra flavour. Seal the bag tightly.
• Massage the chicken through the bag until it is evenly coated with buttermilk and seasonings.
• Place the sealed bag in a bowl (to catch any leaks) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours. For the best results, leave it to marinate for up to 24 hours.
• Once marinated, remove the chicken from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking.

Tips:

• If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles, and you have a cheap and easy buttermilk substitute!
• If you're short on time, you can skip the marination process, but it is highly recommended for juicier and more flavourful chicken tenders.

The best flour to use

When making chicken fingers in an air fryer, the best flour to use is all-purpose flour. This is the most common type of flour and is readily available in most grocery stores. It has a medium gluten content, making it perfect for creating a crispy coating on your chicken fingers.

You can also add seasonings to the flour to enhance the flavour of your chicken fingers. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, parsley flakes, seasoned salt, and black pepper. These seasonings add a savoury kick to your chicken fingers, making them even more irresistible.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with other types of flour, such as gluten-free alternatives like rice flour or chickpea flour. However, keep in mind that the texture and taste may vary, and you might need to adjust cooking times accordingly.

Additionally, some recipes call for a double dredge, where the chicken is coated in flour, dipped in egg, and then coated in flour again before being placed in the air fryer. This technique creates an extra crispy coating, but be cautious as too much flour can lead to floury spots that may not cook evenly.

So, when making chicken fingers in an air fryer, your best bet is to stick with all-purpose flour and add seasonings to suit your taste preferences.

How to get the flour coating crispy

To get a crispy flour coating on your chicken fingers, there are a few steps you can follow:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Firstly, marinating the chicken tenders in buttermilk is an optional but recommended step. The acidity of the buttermilk helps to tenderize the chicken, making it super juicy. Place the chicken in a plastic zipper bag with buttermilk and let it sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Step 2: Prepare the Flour Coating

In a clean plastic zipper bag, add the flour, seasonings, and any other dry ingredients you want. You can add spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the flour. Seal the bag and shake it well to combine all the ingredients. You can also do this in a shallow bowl if you prefer.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Take the chicken tenders out of the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them into the bag with the flour mixture, seal, and shake to coat the chicken evenly. Remove the tenders from the bag, shaking off any excess flour, and place them on a plate.

Step 4: Spray with Cooking Spray

Generously spray the tenders with cooking spray until the flour appears damp. This step is crucial, as it helps the flour coating to crisp up and turn golden. Make sure to get all sides of the chicken tenders.

Step 5: Air Fry

Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Air fry at 360-370 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Continue cooking until the tenders are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Re-spray and Air Fry Again

Once the tenders are golden and crispy, take them out of the air fryer and re-spray them with cooking spray. This will help to ensure that the flour coating stays crispy and doesn't dry out. Place them back in the air fryer for another 5-10 minutes, or until they reach the desired level of crispiness.

How long to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer

Yes, you can use flour to air fry chicken fingers. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it, with some extra tips on how long to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenders (you can use chicken breasts cut into strips)
• Flour (all-purpose flour works best)
• Olive oil (or vegetable/corn oil)
• Spices (paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, oregano, and basil)
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the chicken tenders by cutting chicken breasts into strips if you are not using pre-cut tenders. You can also marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator to make the chicken more tender and juicy.

Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to between 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to ensure they are completely coated.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix your chosen spices together. You can adjust the spices to your taste and preferences. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the chicken tenders.

Step 5: If you want to use breadcrumbs, prepare a dredge by beating eggs in a shallow plate and placing breadcrumbs on another plate. Coat each tender in the egg, then the breadcrumbs.

Step 6: Place the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray the tenders with cooking spray.

Step 7: Air fry the tenders for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The tenders are done when they are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• If you are using breadcrumbs, you may need to cook the tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your tenders and your air fryer, so adjust the timing as needed.
• To check if the tenders are done, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken tenders!

What to serve with air fryer chicken tenders

You can serve air fryer chicken tenders with a variety of sides, depending on your preferences. Here are some ideas:

Sauces and Dips

You can serve your chicken tenders with a variety of sauces and dips. Some popular options include:

• BBQ sauce
• Honey sriracha sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Tzatziki
• Buffalo sauce
• Honey mustard

Vegetables

Some vegetable sides that would go well with chicken tenders include:

• Roasted green beans with bacon
• Korean broccoli salad
• Greek potato foil packs
• Roasted fingerling potatoes
• Creamy cucumber salad
• Garlic herb roasted carrots
• Roasted mushrooms and veggies

Starches

For a heartier meal, you can pair your chicken tenders with starches such as:

• French fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Tater tots
• Onion rings
• Mac and cheese
• Orzo
• Couscous salad
• Mashed potatoes

Other Ideas

Some other side dishes that would complement chicken tenders include:

• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
• Macaroni salad
• Quinoa salad
• Salad

So, whether you're looking for a classic combination like chicken tenders and fries or something a little more adventurous, there are plenty of options to choose from!

Frequently asked questions