Air Fryer Chicken Coating: Flour Or Not?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying or pan-frying chicken, as they use a tiny fraction of the oil needed for traditional methods. But can you coat chicken with flour in an air fryer? The answer is yes, but with a few caveats. Firstly, it's important to note that air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, so it's crucial that all surfaces of the chicken are exposed to the hot air. This means that if you're using a thick breading, you might end up with floury spots that haven't cooked properly. To avoid this, some people recommend using a lighter breading or coating the chicken with an oil spray to help the flour cook evenly. Additionally, it's important to make sure that the chicken pieces don't overlap in the air fryer, as this can also affect how evenly they cook. With the right techniques and adjustments, you can definitely enjoy crispy, juicy, and flour-coated chicken from your air fryer!

Should you coat chicken with flour before air frying?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying or pan-frying chicken, as they require less oil and are healthier, quicker, and easier to clean.

While you can coat chicken with flour before air frying, it is not necessary, and there are a few things to keep in mind if you choose to do so.

First, make sure that the flour is well-seasoned. This will ensure that your chicken has a good flavour. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or a blend like Old Bay Seasoning, which contains celery salt, red pepper, black pepper, and paprika.

Second, if you are coating your chicken in flour, it is important to also coat it with oil. This will help the flour cook properly and prevent it from remaining raw or floury. You can use a spray oil, such as avocado or olive oil, to ensure an even and light coating. However, be careful not to use aerosol nonstick sprays, as these can damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time. Instead, use a mister or a pastry brush to apply the oil.

Finally, if you are coating your chicken in flour, it is important to not overlap the pieces in the air fryer. This will ensure that air can flow over as much surface area as possible and that the chicken cooks evenly.

In summary, you can coat chicken with flour before air frying, but it is not necessary. If you do choose to flour your chicken, make sure to season the flour well, coat the chicken with oil, and avoid overlapping the pieces in the air fryer.

Marinating chicken in buttermilk

Yes, you can coat chicken with flour in an air fryer. In fact, air-fried chicken is a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken as it uses much less oil.

To marinate chicken in buttermilk, start by cutting up a whole chicken into pieces. You can also use chicken thighs, drumsticks, wings, or chicken breasts. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Next, add buttermilk to the chicken, ensuring that all the pieces are covered. You can also add other ingredients to the buttermilk, such as hot sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, for extra flavour. Leave the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

After marinating, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, discarding any excess. It is important to ensure that the chicken is well coated in the buttermilk mixture before removing it, as this will help create a moist and juicy final product. Next, dredge the chicken in seasoned flour. You can add seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to the flour for extra flavour. Make sure to coat the chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Once the chicken is coated, it is ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush with oil to help the flour crisp up and turn golden brown. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time, typically around 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

By marinating chicken in buttermilk and coating it with seasoned flour, you can achieve juicy, tender, and crispy chicken with less oil and mess. This method is a great way to enjoy fried chicken with a healthier twist.

How to avoid floury spots on air-fried chicken

Air-fried chicken is a great alternative to deep-fried chicken, as it is healthier, quicker, and easier to clean up. However, one common issue with air-fried chicken is that it can sometimes come out with floury spots that haven't cooked properly. Here are some tips to help you avoid this issue and ensure your chicken comes out crispy and browned:

Use oil

The most common solution to the issue of floury spots is to use oil. While this may seem to defeat the purpose of an air fryer, it is still far less oil than deep frying, and you can use healthy oils like olive or coconut. Lightly spray the chicken with oil before and during the air frying process. This will help the flour to cook properly and give you a crispy texture.

Don't double-dip

If you like a very thick breading on your fried chicken, the air fryer may not be the best cooking method. A thick layer of flour will be hard to hydrate in the air fryer, leading to floury spots. Instead, opt for a single dip in well-seasoned flour after soaking the chicken in buttermilk. This will give you a nice layer of breading without being too thick.

Use a bag for dredging

Place your seasoned flour in a paper or plastic zip-top bag. Add the chicken in batches, seal the bag, and shake to coat evenly. This method ensures that the flour coats the chicken evenly and helps to avoid any floury spots.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

Always fry your chicken in batches so that the air can circulate properly. There should be enough space to easily turn the pieces without them touching each other. This will help ensure even cooking and reduce the likelihood of floury spots.

Flip the chicken halfway through

If you notice that the floury spots tend to be on one side of the chicken, try flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process. This will expose all parts of the chicken to the hot air and help ensure even cooking.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your air-fried chicken comes out crispy and browned, without any floury spots.

The best type of chicken to use for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, but what is the best type of chicken to use?

Bone-in or boneless?

Firstly, it is important to note that chicken with bones will take longer to cook than boneless chicken. If you are using bone-in chicken, it is recommended to use skin-on and bone-in chicken, which leads to more flavourful and juicier chicken.

Chicken breasts or chicken strips?

Chicken breasts are the most popular choice for air frying, but chicken strips are also a good option. Chicken strips cook faster than bone-in pieces, so you will need to keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking and drying them out.

Fresh or frozen?

It is best to use fresh chicken for air frying, but you can also use frozen chicken. If using frozen chicken, it is recommended to thaw it first before coating it with spices and cooking it in the air fryer.

Thin or thick slices?

When air frying chicken breasts, it is best to slice them into thinner, smaller flat pieces. This helps ensure even cooking, juicier chicken, and more flavour coating surface area.

The amount of chicken you should use will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of people you are serving. A good rule of thumb is to allow about 4-6 ounces of chicken per person.

The cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken you are using. For example, small chicken breasts (5-7 ounces) will take 7-10 minutes to cook, while larger breasts (11 ounces or more) will take 12-16 minutes. It is important to note that you should always use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F before consuming it.

How to reheat air-fried chicken

Yes, you can coat chicken with flour in an air fryer. However, it is important to note that the crust may not get as crispy as it would with other cooking methods, and the chicken may not be as juicy. Additionally, if you are coating the chicken with flour, you will need to use some oil to ensure that the flour cooks properly and does not remain raw.

Reheating air-fried chicken can be tricky, as you want to maintain the crispiness of the chicken while also ensuring it is heated through. The best way to reheat air-fried chicken is in an air fryer or oven, as this will help to keep the chicken crispy.

Using an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F (182-190°C).
• Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for proper airflow.
• Reheat the chicken for 5-8 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
• Flip the chicken or shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Continue reheating for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly heated and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Using an Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 300-400°F.
• Place the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Reheat for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips for Reheating Air-Fried Chicken:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer or baking sheet. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Use a light coating of oil on the chicken before reheating to help restore crispiness.
• Monitor the cooking time to prevent overcooking or burning.
• Always ensure the chicken is heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
• Do not reheat the chicken more than once to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Frequently asked questions