Air Fryer Shake And Bake: Is It Possible?

Shake and bake chicken is a quick, easy, and tasty meal that can be made in an air fryer. The dish is perfect for busy weeknights as it requires minimal preparation and cooking time. The chicken is coated in a seasoning mix, which gives it a delicious flavour and crispy texture. The air fryer ensures the chicken is cooked evenly, resulting in a juicy and tender dish.

How to make shake and bake chicken in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 packet of Shake 'N Bake seasoning
• Olive oil
• Optional: non-stick cooking spray, aluminium foil, meat thermometer

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or 375°F).
• Brush the chicken breasts lightly with olive oil.
• Pour the Shake 'N Bake seasoning into a plastic bag.
• Coat the chicken breasts one at a time by placing them in the bag and shaking until covered evenly.
• Place the chicken in a single layer inside the air fryer.
• Spray the tops of the chicken with oil.
• Air fry at 380°F for 14-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use aluminium foil in the air fryer to make cleaning up easier. Just be sure to coat the foil with non-stick cooking spray so the chicken doesn't stick.
• If you're reheating shake and bake chicken, let the chicken come to room temperature first. Reheat at 370°F for about 4-5 minutes.

Tips for coating your chicken

Dry the chicken

Before coating your chicken in the shake and bake mixture, it's important to ensure the surface is dry. Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry after rinsing. The drier the surface, the better the coating will stick.

Use oil or mayo

Lightly coating the chicken with a small amount of oil or mayonnaise will help the shake and bake mixture adhere to the chicken. This will also help to make the chicken skin extra crispy. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil. If you're using a store-bought shake and bake mixture, you can also use the olive oil spray that comes with it.

Coat in small batches

To ensure an even coating, shake the chicken in small batches. Place one piece of chicken in the bag at a time, seal the bag, and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.

Double coat for extra crunch

For an extra thick and crunchy coating, double-coat your chicken. Simply coat the chicken in oil, shake in the bag, then repeat this process.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

When placing the coated chicken in the air fryer, make sure the pieces are in a single layer and not overlapping. This will ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.

Don't flip

There's no need to flip your chicken when cooking in the air fryer. The air circulation will cook and crisp the chicken evenly without flipping.

Let it cool

When you take your chicken out of the air fryer, place it on a cooling rack to cool. This will prevent the bottom coating from getting soggy.

Reheating shake and bake chicken

If you're reheating breaded chicken, it's important to remove any excess moisture by patting the chicken dry before reheating. This will help prevent the breading from becoming soggy. You can also spray the chicken with cooking spray before reheating to achieve a crispier texture.

It's worth noting that reheating times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and whether it's boneless or bone-in. For thinner pieces of chicken, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer after 4 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Can you use foil in the air fryer?

Yes, you can use foil in an air fryer. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, never let the foil come into contact with the heating element, as this could cause a fire. Always ensure the foil is weighed down with food or another object to prevent it from blowing around inside the air fryer. Avoid using foil with acidic ingredients, as this can cause the foil to leach onto your food. In addition, using foil can interfere with the airflow in the air fryer, so it is best to only use it in the basket and not on the bottom of the fryer itself.

When is it a good idea to use foil in the air fryer? It can be helpful when cooking sticky or delicate foods, as it makes cleanup easier and helps prevent food from sticking to the basket. It can also be useful when reheating leftovers that are already wrapped in foil, as well as for cooking foods in batches.

Are there any alternatives to using foil in an air fryer? Yes, you can use parchment paper, but it should be weighed down to prevent it from blowing into the heating element. Silicone mats or liners designed specifically for air fryers are also a good option, as they are reusable and easy to clean.

How to make your own shake and bake seasoning

Making your own shake and bake seasoning is a simple process that allows you to control the ingredients used and their quantities. The basic ingredients include:

• Breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Sugar
• Spices (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, basil, thyme, oregano, etc.)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)

You can also add cornstarch, celery salt, minced garlic, minced onion, dried basil leaves, dried parsley, and dried oregano. If you want to make the seasoning spicy, you can add some chili powder. Additionally, you can substitute breadcrumbs with panko for a crispier texture.

To make the seasoning, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, sugar, and spices in a large mixing bowl or resealable plastic bag. Mix the ingredients well, then slowly drizzle and whisk in the oil until the mixture forms a sandy, clumpy texture. You can now use this mixture to coat chicken or pork.

To coat the meat, start by seasoning the chicken or pork with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. Then, dip each piece of meat into a little water or coat it with olive oil. Place 2 to 3 pieces of meat at a time into the bag with the shake and bake mixture. Seal the bag and shake until the meat is thoroughly coated.

Place the coated meat on a baking pan or air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not crowded. If using an air fryer, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Bake or air fry the meat until it is cooked through and golden brown, with an internal temperature of 165°F for chicken and 145°F for pork.

You can store any leftover shake and bake seasoning in an airtight container or resealable bag. It will keep in the pantry for up to 3 months, in the refrigerator for 6-8 months, or in the freezer for up to a year.

Frequently asked questions