How To Air Fry Crispy, Golden Chicken Perfectly

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken without the mess and health risks of deep frying. The air fryer's convection oven technology means you can get a similar taste and texture to deep-fried chicken without submerging it in oil. This means less fat and fewer calories, and an easier cleanup.

You can use a variety of coatings on your chicken, from simple seasoned flour to a more complex batter. However, wet batter is not recommended for air fryers as it will create a mess. A dry coating of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder will help to crisp up the skin. You can also use breadcrumbs, but you may need to dip the chicken in egg first so that the breadcrumbs stick.

Some recipes recommend a light spray of oil on the chicken to help the coating crisp up and ensure the chicken doesn't dry out. You can also use buttermilk to add flavour and help the coating stick.

The exact cooking time and temperature will depend on the size and type of chicken you are using, but most recipes recommend cooking at around 350-400°F for 15-20 minutes. It's important to ensure your chicken is cooked through to avoid food poisoning, so use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.

How to make the batter stick to the chicken

To make the batter stick to the chicken, you can follow these steps:

Preparation

Before coating the chicken with batter, it is important to prepare the chicken. Firstly, you can cut the chicken into strips or pieces of similar size so that they cook evenly. Bone-in chicken with skin is preferable as it helps the coating stick to the chicken and adds moisture and flavour. However, boneless chicken can also be used but may require adjustments to the cooking time.

Brining

Brining the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk, egg, and spices for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight helps tenderise the meat and adds flavour. The buttermilk also helps the flour mixture stick to the chicken. After brining, shake off any excess brine before coating the chicken.

Coating

For the coating, you can use a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and spices. You can also add breadcrumbs for extra crispness. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it is thoroughly coated, then dip it in the buttermilk mixture, and roll it again in the flour mixture. Press the chicken firmly into the coating to ensure it adheres well.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 360-400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking and place the chicken pieces inside, leaving space between each piece for even cooking. Spray the top of the chicken with oil to help the breadcrumbs crisp up and achieve a golden-brown colour.

Cooking Tips

• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process and spray with oil again to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
• If you notice floury spots on the chicken, spray those areas with oil to help them crisp up.

By following these steps and tips, you can ensure that the batter sticks to the chicken and achieves a crispy, golden-brown coating.

How to cook chicken in an air fryer

Yes, you can batter chicken in an air fryer, but it is not recommended. An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, so if you want to cook battered food, you will need to expose as much of the food's surface area to the hot air as possible. If you do attempt to cook battered chicken in an air fryer, it is likely to be a messy process.

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, as they produce a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist and tender. They are also healthier than deep-fat frying and create less mess.

You can cook any kind of chicken in an air fryer, including wings, breasts, or thighs.

What you need to air fry chicken:

• Chicken
• Buttermilk
• Spices (e.g. smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper)
• Egg
• Flour
• Corn starch
• Baking powder
• Oil spray

How to fry chicken in an air fryer:

• Brine the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or 2 hours if possible.
• Preheat the air fryer.
• Shake off the excess brine and dredge the chicken in seasoned flour mixed with cornstarch and baking powder.
• Spray the chicken with oil.
• Cook at a lower temperature (around 300°F) first, and then increase the heat (to around 400°F) to finish cooking and create a crispy, golden outer layer.
• Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips for cooking chicken in an air fryer:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space between the food for the air to circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer.
• Spray the chicken with oil to create a crunchy texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through.
• Don't put the chicken back in the air fryer to reheat it, as this may burn the exterior. Instead, reheat in an oven at 300°F.

How long to air fry chicken:

The cooking time will depend on the cut of chicken and the thickness of the meat. Chicken tenders will take around 15-16 minutes, chicken breasts around 25 minutes, and chicken thighs around 25-28 minutes.

How to make crispy air fryer chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken (bone-in chicken thighs and legs are recommended for the most flavour, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts, wings, or tenders)
• Buttermilk (this adds flavour and helps the flour mixture stick to the chicken)
• Eggs (these help bind the coating together)
• Flour (for a crunchy coating)
• Spices (e.g. Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper)
• Oil spray (to help cook any leftover coating)

Method

• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• In a medium-sized bowl, mix the buttermilk and eggs. Whisk until combined.
• In another medium-sized bowl, mix the flour and spices.
• Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then the flour again.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the pieces do not touch so that air can circulate.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray.
• Cook at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
• Open the basket and spray any flour with cooking spray. Turn the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the juices run clear.

Tips:

• Do not overcrowd your air fryer. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
• Preheat your air fryer.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray to create a crunchy texture.
• If your coating is falling off, let the mixture air dry on the chicken before air frying.
• You can also try using a batter instead of a flour coating, but this may be messier.

How to reheat air fryer chicken

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

• Take your chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps it reheat more evenly.
• Brush the chicken with a little oil or cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each piece for the air to circulate. If you are reheating larger pieces, you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken.
• After 6 minutes, flip the chicken for even reheating. Depending on the size of your chicken, it could take between 10 to 20 minutes to heat through.
• After the 6-minute flip, start checking the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is thoroughly reheated and safe to eat.
• If you prefer your chicken to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking.

Top Tips for Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and prevent uneven reheating.
• If your chicken is coated with sauce or breadcrumbs, place it on parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Remember to adjust the reheating time based on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Experiment with seasonings or sauces to add extra flavor to your reheated chicken.

How to make air fryer chicken without an air fryer

Air fryer chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken. It is also a less messy alternative to frying chicken in a pan. If you don't have an air fryer, you can still make air fryer chicken by pan-frying it. Here's how:

Step 1: Marinate the chicken

Add spices and buttermilk to a large bowl, along with the chicken. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt). For a dry brine, simply sprinkle salt all over the chicken and let it rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This process improves the texture and flavor of the meat.

Step 2: Prepare the breading

Stir together flour, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a separate bowl. You can also add cornstarch and baking powder to help crisp up the chicken skin.

Step 3: Coat the chicken

Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.

Step 4: Pan-fry the chicken

Add enough oil to a cast iron skillet so the oil is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches up the side of the skillet. Heat the oil to 350°F. Place the chicken pieces in the skillet and fry for 8 minutes on each side. Check the temperature to ensure doneness, but the pieces should be golden brown and wonderful!

Step 5: Reheat (if needed)

You can reheat any leftover chicken in a 300°F oven. Lay out the pieces on a baking sheet and bake until warmed through. This will keep the crust relatively crispy and heat the chicken evenly. Reheat for 8 to 10 minutes.

Tips:

• You can use any cut of chicken, but bone-in and skin-on chicken is recommended for more flavor and moisture.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in batches if needed to ensure proper air circulation.
• Don't forget to flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is considered cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.

Enjoy your crispy and juicy air fryer chicken, even without an air fryer!

Frequently asked questions