Air-Fried Tempura Chicken: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Chicken tempura is a popular Japanese dish that is typically deep-fried. However, you can also make it in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative that reduces the amount of oil used and the number of calories in the dish. The air fryer method also makes for a quicker and cleaner cooking process, without compromising on the desirable crispy texture of the chicken.

Air Fryer Tempura Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips
• 1 teaspoon chicken seasoning blend (Lawry's works well)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup cornflakes, crushed
• Salt, to taste

Method:

• Season the chicken by sprinkling with salt, then rubbing in half of the chicken seasoning, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning.
• Combine the flours, baking soda, and remaining seasonings in a mixing bowl.
• Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add the egg yolk and water. Stir until just combined, then stir in the olive oil and beaten egg whites.
• Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, then roll in the crushed cornflakes.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange the chicken pieces on it, rolling each piece to coat in oil. Alternatively, spritz each piece with oil.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. You may need to cook in batches.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and set the timer for 18 minutes. Air fry the chicken, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown.
• Serve warm with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Don't over-mix the batter, or it will become chewy. It's fine if there are a few lumps.
• For an even lighter batter, use sparkling water instead of regular water.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, or the chicken will be soggy.
• For extra crispy chicken, spritz with oil or non-aerosol cooking spray before cooking.

How to Make Chicken Tempura

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• All-purpose flour
• Seasoning (salt, garlic powder, chicken seasoning, Cajun seasoning)
• Egg
• Cornflakes
• Olive oil
• Cold water
• Baking soda
• Tapioca flour (optional)

Method:

• Cut the chicken breasts into strips.
• Season the chicken pieces by sprinkling them with salt and rubbing in your choice of seasonings.
• Make the tempura batter by combining the flour, optional tapioca flour, baking soda, and remaining seasoning in a bowl.
• Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture and add the egg yolk and water. Stir until combined, then add the olive oil and egg whites.
• Dip the chicken pieces into the batter, then roll them in crushed cornflakes.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet and place the chicken pieces on it, ensuring they are coated in oil. Alternatively, spritz them with cooking spray.
• Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and set the timer for 18 minutes.
• Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Serve the chicken tempura warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Don't over-mix the batter, as this will affect the texture.
• Use sparkling water instead of regular water for an even lighter batter.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the chicken from crisping up.

Air Fryer Frozen Tempura Chicken

Ingredients

• Frozen Tempura Chicken
• Cooking Spray
• Dipping Sauce (e.g. tempura dipping sauce, soy sauce, or sweet chili sauce)
• Lemon Wedges (optional)
• Garnish (optional, e.g. chopped green onions or sesame seeds)

Method

• Preheat the air fryer to around 400°F (200°C).
• While the air fryer is preheating, remove the frozen tempura chicken from its packaging. There is no need to thaw it; you can cook it directly from frozen.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This step is optional but helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning.
• Place the frozen tempura chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure the hot air can circulate freely around each piece, which is key for crispiness.
• Cook the tempura chicken for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact time may vary based on the air fryer model and the size of the tempura chicken pieces. You are aiming for a golden brown and crispy exterior.
• At the end of cooking, check to see if the tempura chicken is thoroughly heated and crispy. If not, you can add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
• Once cooked, remove the tempura chicken from the air fryer. Serve immediately with your chosen dipping sauce and lemon wedges for added flavor.

Tips

• Preheat the air fryer to achieve a more consistent cooking temperature, leading to evenly cooked tempura chicken.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Place the tempura chicken pieces in a single layer with some space between each piece. This allows for better air circulation, ensuring each piece gets evenly crispy.
• Flip the tempura chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Use cooking spray sparingly. If your tempura chicken isn't pre-oiled, a light spritz of cooking spray can help achieve a more even golden brown color, but use it sparingly to avoid soggy batter.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your tempura chicken pieces. Start checking a few minutes before the recommended time and adjust as needed.
• Tempura chicken should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
• Tempura chicken is best enjoyed hot and crispy, straight out of the air fryer. Leaving it to sit for too long can make the batter lose its crispiness.
• If you need to batch cook, let the cooked pieces rest on a wire rack instead of a paper towel to keep them crispy.
• Keep the batter light and thin. Thick batters can become doughy or fail to crisp up properly in an air fryer.
• Experiment with different seasonings in your batter or as a sprinkle before serving to add more flavor to your tempura chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is recommended to cook frozen tempura chicken directly from the freezer to maintain the best texture. Thawing is not necessary and can actually affect the crispiness.

A general guideline is to set your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). This temperature is typically effective for achieving a crispy exterior without overcooking the inside.

It usually takes about 8-10 minutes, but this can vary depending on the air fryer model and the size of the tempura chicken pieces. It is advisable to check halfway through and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Yes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process helps ensure it cooks evenly and gets crispy on all sides.

Most types of frozen tempura chicken can be cooked in an air fryer. However, pieces that are similarly sized will cook more evenly. Extremely large or thick pieces might require a longer cooking time.

While not always necessary, a light spray of cooking oil can help achieve a more evenly golden and crispy exterior. But be cautious with the amount to avoid making the batter soggy.

Yes, you can cook other compatible frozen foods alongside the tempura chicken, provided there is enough space for adequate air circulation. Just make sure that the cooking times and temperatures are similar.

The tempura chicken is done when it has a golden-brown, crispy exterior and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer can help ensure it’s cooked safely and thoroughly.

Tempura chicken pairs well with a variety of sauces, such as sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki, or even a simple mixture of mayo and sriracha for a creamy kick.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness. They are best eaten within a day or two for optimal texture.

Air Fryer Tempura Chicken Tips

Choosing your chicken

Chicken tenders are already cut to size for tempura, but you can also slice skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs into thin strips.

Seasoning

Seasoning your chicken with salt, pepper, and soy sauce will add flavour and help the chicken stay juicy.

Batter

The batter is the key to great tempura chicken. A light, airy batter will crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, creating a crunchy shell around the chicken while keeping it juicy and tender.

The batter typically consists of flour, water, and egg, but you can experiment with adding ingredients like Japanese mayonnaise, which helps emulsify the oils in the batter and prevents it from becoming soggy. You can also add salt to the batter to make up for the loss of flavour from not deep-frying.

Make sure your batter is not too liquidy, or it will drip off the chicken in the air fryer. You can also dip the battered chicken in flour to create a breaded food with a batter—this works better in the air fryer.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote even browning.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces. Aim for a golden brown and crispy exterior.

Serving

Tempura chicken is best enjoyed hot and crispy straight out of the air fryer. Serve with a traditional tempura dipping sauce, or try soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce for an extra flavour kick.

Tempura Chicken vs Deep-Fried Chicken

Tempura chicken and deep-fried chicken differ in their cooking methods, ingredients, and taste.

Cooking Method

Deep-fried chicken is submerged in hot oil, whereas tempura chicken can be cooked in an air fryer or deep-fried. Air fryers are quicker and more efficient, requiring shorter cooking times to achieve juicy, crispy results.

Ingredients

The batter for deep-fried chicken is typically made with flour or breadcrumbs, whereas tempura batter is made with flour, iced water or sparkling water, egg, and corn starch. The tempura batter is lighter and more delicate, suitable for quick cooking.

Taste

Deep-fried chicken tends to be heavier and greasier, while tempura chicken is lighter, crispier, and less oily. The tempura technique uses less oil, making it a slightly healthier option.

Serving Suggestions

Both dishes can be served with a variety of dipping sauces and side dishes. Tempura chicken is often served over rice, while deep-fried chicken can be paired with Korean hot pepper paste.

Frequently asked questions