Air Fryer Chicken Patties: Can You Do It?

Chicken patties are a great option for a quick and easy meal or snack. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the air fryer ensures they come out crispy and juicy. Whether you're making them for sandwiches or salads, as a protein-packed lunch or a family dinner, chicken patties in the air fryer are a convenient and tasty option.

Chicken patty air fryer recipes from scratch

Chicken patties are a great option for a quick and easy meal, and they can be made from scratch in an air fryer with minimal prep work. Here are some recipes to try:

Basic Chicken Patty Recipe

This recipe is simple and can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free breadcrumbs. It serves four and takes about an hour in total, including prep and cooking time.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon fine table salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (bottled also works)
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon olive oil or neutral cooking oil
• 1 egg

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients except the oil and egg in a bowl.
• Add lemon juice and mix again.
• Beat the egg, then add it to the mixture along with the breadcrumbs. Mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (optional).
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
• Divide the mixture into four even pieces and roll them into balls.
• Brush the air fryer basket with oil, then place the chicken balls inside, leaving space between them. Brush the balls with oil and use a spatula to press them into ½-inch patties.
• Air fry for 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipping halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
• Serve with your choice of sides.

Ground Chicken Patty Recipe

This recipe is breadcrumb-free and can be made with ground turkey or pork instead of chicken. It serves four and takes about 17 minutes in total.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well.
• Using lightly wet hands, shape the mixture into four equal-sized patties.
• Add the chicken patties to a greased air fryer basket and air fry at 180°C/350°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Let the patties rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Chicken Patty Sliders

This recipe includes instructions for making a slaw topping to serve on brioche or pretzel buns. It serves five and takes about 35 minutes in total.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz bag of coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs
• Cooking spray
• Buns, French fries, or chips to serve

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine mayo, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine, then add the coleslaw mix and toss.
• In a separate bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
• Divide the mixture into five even portions and form them into patties.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the chicken patties inside in a single layer.
• Air fry for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are crispy and have an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Toast the buns and serve the patties with the slaw on top.

Air fryer cooking times and temperatures for chicken patties

The cooking time and temperature for chicken patties in an air fryer depend on whether the patties are frozen or not, and the number of patties being cooked.

Frozen chicken patties

Frozen chicken patties should be cooked for 10-20 minutes, at a temperature of 360°F (180°C) or 400°F (200°C). It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking. The patties should be placed in a single layer, with space in between them to allow air to circulate. They should be flipped halfway through cooking.

Fresh chicken patties

Fresh chicken patties should be cooked for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C). As with frozen patties, they should be placed in a single layer, with space between them for air circulation. They should be brushed with oil and pressed into 0.5-inch (1.25 cm) patties before cooking, and flipped halfway through.

How to reheat chicken patties in an air fryer

Reheating chicken patties in an air fryer is a much better option than using a microwave as it helps retain the crispiness of the breading. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat chicken patties in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Place the chicken patties inside the air fryer. Ensure that they are in a single layer and not overlapping to allow for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Reheat the chicken patties for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Once the patties are thoroughly heated, you can enjoy them as is or with your favorite toppings and sides.

Tips:

• You can add cheese to your patties by turning off the air fryer, placing a slice of cheese on the patty, closing the drawer, and letting it sit for 30-60 seconds. The residual heat will melt the cheese.
• If you want to reheat frozen chicken patties, increase the cooking time to 16-18 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).

How to cook frozen chicken patties in an air fryer

Pre-Cooking

Before you start cooking, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Most sources recommend preheating to 400°F, but you can also try 390°F or 375°F.

If you're using store-bought frozen chicken patties, check the packaging for "air fryer" instructions. However, some sources suggest that the time and temperature provided on the packaging may not yield the best results.

If you're making your own chicken patties from scratch, you can add ingredients like eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices to bind and flavour the mixture. Form the mixture into patties and chill them for up to 24 hours before cooking, or cook them right away.

Cooking

When you're ready to cook, place the frozen chicken patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for the air to circulate. You don't need to defrost the patties first; cooking them straight from frozen yields better results.

Brush or spray the patties with a small amount of oil. This will help them crisp up.

Cook the patties for 7-12 minutes at 400°F, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your patties, so adjust accordingly. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Serving

Once the patties are cooked, you can serve them as-is or on a bun with your favourite toppings and sauces. If you want to add cheese, place a slice on top of each patty and let the residual heat of the air fryer melt it—this should only take 30-60 seconds.

Reheating

To reheat chicken patties in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the patties for 3-5 minutes until they're warmed through.

Chicken patty sandwich ideas

Chicken patties are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some delicious chicken patty sandwich ideas to get you started:

Classic Chicken Patty Sandwich:

• Start by preparing the chicken patties as described in the previous answer. You can cook them in an air fryer, oven, or on a stovetop, depending on your preference.
• For a classic take, serve the cooked chicken patties on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, and onion slices. You can also add a spread like mayonnaise, spicy bbq sauce, or ranch dressing.
• If you're feeling adventurous, top the patty with a slice of cheese, such as cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack. Place it back in the air fryer or oven to melt the cheese, or simply let it rest inside the warm appliance for a minute.

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich:

• Prepare chicken patties as described previously, but instead of placing them on buns, use sliced Italian bread.
• Spread garlic butter on one side of each slice of bread.
• Mix together marinara sauce, dried basil, and garlic salt. Heat this sauce in the microwave for a quick warm-up.
• Assemble the sandwich by placing the bread (butter-side down) in a skillet. Top with provolone cheese, marinara sauce, chicken patty, more sauce, another slice of cheese, and finally, the bread (butter-side up).
• Cook the sandwich over medium heat until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich:

• Prepare the chicken patties as desired.
• For the sandwich, spread a generous amount of spicy buffalo sauce on the buns.
• Top the patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and your choice of cheese. Blue cheese or smoked havarti/cheddar are excellent options.
• You can also add some crunch with onion slices or crispy fried onions.

Crunchy Chicken Sandwich:

• Prepare the chicken patties in the oven as described previously, ensuring they reach a crunchy texture.
• For the toppings, make a spicy sriracha mayonnaise by mixing sriracha and mayonnaise.
• Prepare a relish by combining mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, thinly sliced cabbage, and onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread the sriracha mayonnaise on the bottom half of a crusty bun. Place the crunchy chicken patty on top, followed by a layer of the relish. Finish with the top bun.

Chicken Patty Melt:

• Prepare the chicken patties as desired.
• For the melt, place the cooked patty on a slice of bread or a bun. Top it with a slice of cheese, such as cheddar or Swiss.
• Place another slice of bread or bun on top, creating a sandwich.
• Lightly butter the outside of the sandwich and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
• You can also cook the melt in an air fryer or oven by wrapping it in foil and heating it until the cheese melts.

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