Air Fryer Battered Chicken: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook fried chicken without the mess of frying. However, if you want to cook battered chicken in an air fryer, you should avoid using a wet batter as it will drip off the chicken and make a mess. Instead, use a flour batter or breading to get the same crispy, juicy texture.

Wet batter won't work in an air fryer as it will drip off the chicken and make a mess

Yes, you can cook battered chicken in an air fryer, but it's important to note that wet batter won't work. Without the hot oil used to fry classic fried chicken, the batter has no way to set and will drip off the chicken, making a mess in your air fryer. Instead, opt for a flour batter or use breading to coat your chicken before air frying.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it's important to cut the chicken pieces evenly so they cook evenly. Press the chicken into the breading or batter firmly so that it sticks to the chicken. Grease the basket of your air fryer to prevent sticking.

If you're using skin-on chicken breasts, the batter will help to seal in the moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out. However, if you prefer to remove the skin before eating, simply cook the chicken breast with the skin on and then remove it afterward.

For juicy, tender meat, air fry the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at its thickest point. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure it's fully cooked and safe to eat.

You can use a flour batter or breading to coat the chicken instead

Yes, you can cook battered chicken in an air fryer, but it's important to note that a traditional liquid batter will not work. The hot oil used to fry classic fried chicken is what sets the batter, so without it, the batter will simply drip off the chicken and make a mess in your air fryer.

It's also important to cut the chicken pieces evenly so they cook evenly. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook the chicken until it hits 165 degrees F at its thickest point to ensure it's fully cooked and safe to eat.

Chicken breasts can dry out faster in an air fryer, so use a batter to seal in moisture

Chicken breasts are a leaner cut of meat than other parts of the chicken, such as the thighs or drumsticks, and so they can dry out faster in an air fryer. One way to prevent this is to use a batter. However, it is important to note that a traditional liquid batter will not work in an air fryer. Without hot oil to set the batter, it will simply drip off the chicken and make a mess.

Instead, opt for a flour batter or breading. Press the chicken firmly into the mixture so that it sticks. You can also grease the basket of your air fryer to help the batter stick.

If you don't want to eat the skin, it is better to cook the chicken breast with the skin on and then remove it before eating. This will help to keep the meat moist.

Chicken cooked in an air fryer tastes just as good when eaten straight from the fridge

You can cook battered chicken in an air fryer, but it's best to avoid a wet batter. Without the hot oil used to fry classic fried chicken, the batter has no way to set and will drip off the chicken, making a mess in your air fryer. Instead, use a flour batter or breading.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, it's important to cut the chicken pieces evenly so they cook evenly. Press the chicken into the breading so the breading can really stick. Grease the basket.

If you're cooking chicken breasts, be aware that they can dry out faster. It's better to use a batter to seal in the moisture. If you use skin-off, you can expect dryer chicken, so if you don't want to eat the skin, simply cook the chicken breast with the skin on and then remove it before eating.

You can reheat chicken in an air fryer to maximum crispiness

Yes, you can cook battered chicken in an air fryer, but it's best to avoid a wet batter. Without the hot oil used to fry classic fried chicken, the batter has no way to set and will drip off the chicken, making a mess in your air fryer. Instead, use a flour batter or breading.

To reheat chicken in an air fryer to maximum crispiness, use bone-in and skin-on chicken, including a mix of thighs, drumsticks, and breasts. You can also use the air fryer to cook chicken breasts, but they can dry out faster. It's better to use a batter to seal in the moisture. If you use skinless chicken, you can expect dryer chicken. If you don't want to eat the skin, simply cook the chicken breast with the skin on and then remove it before eating.

Frequently asked questions