Air Fryer Chicken Without Flour: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to make fried chicken without the mess and health concerns of deep frying. While some recipes call for flour, it is possible to make delicious fried chicken without it. You can use other ingredients to get a crispy texture, such as breadcrumbs, cornstarch, or crushed crackers. The key is to ensure the chicken is coated evenly and that the air fryer is preheated to the right temperature. This method is healthier, easier to clean up, and results in juicy, tender chicken with a crispy exterior.

Air fryer chicken without flour is healthier than deep-fried chicken

Air fryer chicken is a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken, and you can still get that crispy texture without the flour. Here are some reasons why air fryer chicken without flour is a healthier option:

Less Oil Absorption

One of the main benefits of using an air fryer is that it requires little to no oil. While a small amount of oil or cooking spray may be used to coat the chicken or the air fryer basket, it is significantly less than the amount of oil needed for deep frying. This means that the chicken absorbs less oil, resulting in a healthier dish with a lower fat content.

Healthier Alternatives

When making air fryer chicken without flour, you can explore healthier alternatives to create a crispy coating. For example, you can use arrowroot flour, cornstarch, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or even crushed crackers or ground nuts as a coating. These options can reduce the amount of gluten or carbohydrates in your meal while still providing a crunchy texture.

Easy Portion Control

Air fryers come in various sizes, and their baskets have limited space, making it easier to control your portions. Cooking in an air fryer also reduces the temptation to keep adding food to a large pot of oil, as is common with deep frying.

Faster Cooking Time

Air fryers are known for their quick cooking times. This not only saves you time in the kitchen but also reduces the amount of electricity or gas used, making it a more energy-efficient option.

Less Mess and Easier Cleanup

Deep frying can be a messy process, requiring you to deal with large pots of hot oil. On the other hand, air frying is much cleaner and only requires you to wipe down the air fryer basket after use. This also means you don't have to worry about disposing of large amounts of used oil.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Without Flour

• Dry the chicken skin before coating it.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space around each piece of chicken for the hot air to circulate.
• If you want a crispy skin, spray the chicken with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer.
• For an extra crispy coating, combine breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and a blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
• If you're making chicken tenders or strips, check them frequently to avoid overcooking and drying them out.

In conclusion, air fryer chicken without flour is a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken. It requires less oil, offers a range of healthier coating options, and provides faster cooking times and easier cleanup. So, the next time you're craving fried chicken, give the air fryer a try!

You can use cornstarch or cornmeal instead of flour

Cornstarch is an excellent alternative to flour when making air fryer chicken. It is a smart ingredient to use if you want a crispier coating on your chicken. Cornstarch helps to prevent gluten development and absorbs moisture, resulting in a crispier texture. It is also a good option if you want to make your chicken gluten-free.

If you are using cornstarch instead of flour, you can follow a similar process as you would with flour. Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Then, in a shallow bowl, mix cornstarch with paprika and any other seasonings you like. You can also add an egg to the mixture to help the cornstarch stick to the chicken better. Dunk the chicken pieces into the cornstarch mixture, making sure they are completely coated.

If you are using an air fryer with a non-stick basket, spray cooking oil on the chicken pieces before placing them in the basket. Otherwise, you can brush the chicken pieces with olive oil or vegetable oil while they are in the basket.

Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. Cook the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

You can also use cornmeal instead of flour when making air fryer chicken. Cornmeal will give your chicken a crispy texture similar to cornflakes. To use cornmeal, simply replace the flour in your recipe with an equal amount of cornmeal. Follow the same steps as you would for flour or cornstarch, and cook the chicken until it is golden brown and crispy.

Air fryer chicken is easy to clean up

You should also wipe down the interior and exterior of the air fryer with a damp cloth and dry everything thoroughly before reassembling. It's important to clean your air fryer regularly after each use to maintain its performance and ensure food safety. Deep clean your air fryer about once a month, or more often if you use it frequently or cook greasy foods like chicken.

If there is a lot of oil or grease and you see smoke coming from the unit, you should turn it off and remove the built-up grease before you begin cooking again. Leaving your air fryer dirty can lead to off-tasting food, poor cooking performance, and even fires.

You can use arrowroot flour for a gluten-free option

If you're looking for a gluten-free option when making air fryer chicken, arrowroot flour is a great alternative to traditional flour. Arrowroot flour is extracted from a tropical plant called Maranta, giving it a texture similar to all-purpose flour. You only need half the amount of arrowroot flour compared to regular flour to achieve the same thickening power.

To make gluten-free fried chicken in an air fryer, you can coat the chicken in arrowroot flour, eggs, and almond flour. This triple coating method ensures that the coating clings nicely to the chicken and creates a crunchy exterior. You can also add spices to the arrowroot flour mixture for extra flavour.

• Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. Fill one bowl with arrowroot flour, whisk eggs in the second bowl, and combine almond flour and spices in the third bowl.
• Dredge the chicken pieces in arrowroot flour, then dip them in the egg, and finally coat them in the almond flour mixture. Ensure the chicken is well coated.
• Place the coated chicken on a plate and let it sit while you preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
• Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or olive oil spray. Place 2-3 pieces of chicken in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. Spray the chicken with oil as well.
• Cook the chicken at 390°F for 12 minutes, then flip and spray with additional oil. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
• Check the temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F, especially for larger pieces like breasts.

You can also use arrowroot powder as a breading for chicken thighs in the air fryer. Simply dip the chicken thighs in coconut milk, then coat them in a mixture of arrowroot powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and sea salt. Let the coating harden for 5 minutes, then dip the chicken in the arrowroot mixture again. Place the chicken in the air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip, spray with oil, and cook for another 10 minutes.

So, if you're looking for a gluten-free option, arrowroot flour is a versatile and tasty choice for making air fryer chicken.

You can use olive oil spray to prevent chicken from sticking to the basket

Yes, you can cook chicken in an air fryer without flour. In fact, some recipes recommend against using flour in an air fryer as it can be hard to hydrate and you may end up with floury spots that haven't cooked.

If you're worried about your chicken sticking to the basket of your air fryer, you can use olive oil spray. This will also help your chicken to reach a golden brown colour. You can also use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray, or a refillable oil sprayer or mister. If you don't have a spray, you can brush the basket and the chicken with oil using a pastry brush.

It's worth noting that some sources advise against using cooking spray in an air fryer, as it can damage the lining of the basket. However, others say that this is a myth, and that the propellants in the spray will not affect the non-stick coating.

Frequently asked questions