Flour-Coated Chicken In An Air Fryer: A Healthy Frying Option?

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, juicy chicken with a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods. You can use flour to coat your chicken before air frying, but it's important to ensure that the flour is hydrated by oil or buttermilk to avoid dry, floury spots on your cooked chicken. The key to getting crispy chicken in the air fryer is to ensure that the hot air can circulate around the chicken, so it's best to cook the chicken in batches and not overcrowd the air fryer basket.

The importance of oil

Yes, you can flour chicken and cook it in an air fryer. In fact, this method keeps all the crispy texture of fried chicken with less mess.

Oil is an important component when cooking chicken in an air fryer. While the amount of oil used is significantly reduced compared to deep frying or pan-frying, it is still necessary to lightly coat the chicken in oil. This can be done by spraying the chicken with oil or tossing the chicken in a bowl with a small amount of oil before placing it in the air fryer.

The oil serves two main purposes. Firstly, it helps to create a crispy texture on the chicken. The hot air in the air fryer circulates around the chicken, cooking it evenly on all sides. The oil assists in creating a golden-brown, crackly crust that is desirable in fried chicken. Secondly, the oil ensures that the chicken is cooked evenly. Without a thin layer of oil, the chicken may cook unevenly, resulting in dry spots.

It is also important to note that the oil used in an air fryer does not need to be very deep. A light coating of oil on the chicken or a thin layer of oil in the air fryer basket is sufficient. This is because the air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the food, and too much oil can interfere with this process.

Additionally, the type of oil used can vary depending on personal preference and the desired flavour profile. Common choices include vegetable oil, olive oil, or cooking spray.

In summary, the importance of oil when cooking flour-coated chicken in an air fryer lies in its ability to create a crispy texture and ensure even cooking. A light coating of oil is all that is needed to achieve these benefits, making air frying a healthier and less messy alternative to traditional frying methods.

Chicken preparation

To prepare chicken for air frying, you will need to cut and season the chicken, prepare a flour mixture, coat the chicken in the flour mixture, and then cook it in the air fryer.

Firstly, cut the chicken into your desired shape and size. You can use chicken tenders, chicken breasts, or chicken pieces with the bone-in and skin-on. If you are using skin-on chicken, trim any excess fat from the edges or remove it completely. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or your choice of spices. You can also marinate the chicken in buttermilk, or a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce, for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. This will help to tenderize the chicken and add flavor.

Next, prepare the flour mixture. You can use all-purpose flour, wheat flour, or gluten-free flour. Combine the flour with your choice of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or Old Bay Seasoning. You can also add cornstarch to thicken the batter. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl or a plastic bag.

Now, you are ready to coat the chicken in the flour mixture. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, dip the chicken into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly. You can use tongs or shake the chicken in a bag to help with this process. Place the coated chicken on a plate or baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces.

Finally, you can cook the chicken in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket, making sure the pieces do not overlap. Cook the chicken for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with additional oil or cooking spray if needed. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can serve the chicken fresh from the air fryer, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Flour coating

Preparation

Before coating your chicken with flour, it is recommended to marinate the chicken in buttermilk. Buttermilk helps tenderise the chicken, making it juicy and flavourful. It also helps the flour stick better to the chicken. You can prepare a simple buttermilk marinade by mixing milk and vinegar or using ready-made buttermilk. For extra spice, add a dash of hot sauce to the buttermilk. The chicken pieces can be soaked in this mixture for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Flour Mixture

For the flour coating, you can use all-purpose flour, wheat flour, or gluten-free flour. Combine the flour with seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and Old Bay Seasoning. You can also add cornstarch to the mixture to thicken the batter. Mix the flour and seasonings in a large plastic bag, which will be useful for the next step.

Coating Process

Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, place the chicken pieces into the bag with the flour mixture. Seal the bag and shake it to evenly coat the chicken. Make sure all sides of the chicken are well-coated. Remove the chicken from the bag, shaking off any excess flour, and place the coated pieces on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process for all chicken pieces.

Oil Spray

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, it is crucial to spray the chicken with oil. Use an oil mister or cooking spray to evenly coat the chicken with oil. This step ensures that the flour coating will crisp up during cooking instead of burning. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap, and giving them room to cook evenly.

Cooking

Cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. Generally, cook the chicken for about 15-25 minutes at around 360-390°F. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and spray any dry spots on the chicken with more oil. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips

• To prevent overcrowding, cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
• If you prefer a thicker coating, you can double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture, but this may require longer cooking times.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, as it may look cooked on the outside but still be undercooked.
• If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and golden-brown air-fried chicken!

Air fryer settings

Temperature Settings:

Preheat your air fryer to the right temperature for cooking chicken. The ideal temperature range is between 350°F to 390°F. You can go as low as 350°F for cooking times of around 14 minutes per side, or as high as 390°F for a cooking time of about 25 minutes. A temperature of 360°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, is also a good option. For chicken tenders, a higher temperature of 370°F is recommended, with a cooking time of around 7 minutes.

Cooking Mode:

Select the "Air Fry" mode or a similar setting designed for frying or crisping food. This mode circulates hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior similar to deep-fried chicken.

Batch Cooking:

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the chicken in batches. This ensures that the hot air can circulate effectively and that the chicken cooks evenly. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, and cook in multiple batches if needed.

Cooking Time:

The cooking time will depend on the size and model of your air fryer, the thickness of the chicken pieces, and your desired level of doneness. For thinner cuts like chicken tenders, a shorter cooking time of around 7-10 minutes is sufficient. For larger pieces, aim for a total cooking time of 20-25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F for white meat and 175°F for dark meat.

Oil Spray:

Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil before placing the chicken inside. This helps prevent sticking and promotes even cooking. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and spray any dry spots on the chicken with additional oil to ensure a crispy exterior.

Cooking time

The cooking time for your flour-coated chicken in an air fryer will depend on the cut of chicken you are using and how full your air fryer basket is.

Chicken strips will cook faster than bone-in pieces, so you may end up overcooking or drying them out. Check the strips frequently to make sure they are just cooked through (165° to 170 °F in the thickest part).

If you are cooking chicken tenders, place them in the air fryer basket in batches of 3 to 4 at a time, ensuring they do not overlap. Spray the tenders with cooking spray until the flour appears damp, and then air fry for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the tenders, spritz them again with cooking spray, and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes until they are golden and the internal temperature reaches 165 °F.

For chicken pieces, coat them with the flour mixture and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the chicken pieces lightly with oil and place the basket in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350 °F and cook for 14 minutes. Then, flip the chicken, spray it with oil again, and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes. The chicken is ready when the white meat reaches 165 °F and the dark meat reaches 175 °F.

You can also cook at 360 °F for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through and spraying it with another coat of olive oil. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F.

If you are cooking chicken thighs, set the temperature to 390 °F and cook for 25 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165 °F.

Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, as it may look cooked on the outside but be undercooked.

Frequently asked questions