Air Fryer Shake And Bake: Is It Possible?

Shake and bake chicken is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer. The air fryer method is faster than baking in an oven and less messy than deep frying. The dish is also healthier, as it uses less oil. The chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it perfect for a weekday dinner or a weekend treat.

Pre-cooking prep: Pat chicken dry, and coat with oil, egg wash, or mayonnaise

Preparing the chicken before cooking is an important step in the shake and bake process. Firstly, pat the chicken dry with a kitchen paper towel. This will help to ensure that the coating you apply will stick to the chicken. Next, you'll want to coat the chicken with either oil, an egg wash, or mayonnaise. This will give your chicken a moist texture and help the seasoning to stick. You can brush or lightly coat the chicken with olive oil, avocado oil, or another cooking oil of your choice. Alternatively, you can use an egg wash, which is made by beating an egg and brushing it onto the chicken. You can also use mayonnaise to coat the chicken, which will make it extra juicy.

Air fryer prep: Preheat the air fryer, and coat the basket with oil or parchment paper

Air fryer prep is simple and only requires a few steps. First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 350°F and 400°F. The ideal temperature will depend on the specific recipe you are following, but most recipes will require preheating the air fryer for around 3 to 5 minutes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to coat the basket. You can use a few different methods for this step:

• Line the basket with parchment paper. This method is useful if you want to reduce the amount of cleanup required after cooking.
• Spray the basket with a non-stick cooking spray or oil spray. This will help prevent the food from sticking to the basket and make cleanup easier.
• Brush the basket with oil. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the basket with oil. This method adds flavour and crispness to your dish.

After coating the basket, you are ready to add your food and start cooking! Remember to follow the specific instructions for your recipe, including cooking times and temperatures.

Cooking: Cook for 10-25 minutes, flipping halfway

Cooking with an air fryer is a great way to make your food crispy and golden without the need for lots of oil. It's a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be quicker than a conventional oven.

When cooking with an air fryer, it's important to remember to preheat the appliance. This will help you get consistent results. Most air fryers require you to shake the basket at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Some recipes will also require you to flip the food halfway through.

When cooking chicken in an air fryer, the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken. For example, thin chicken cutlets will take around 7-9 minutes, while thicker chicken breasts can take up to 18 minutes. It's important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to make sure it's cooked through.

Similarly, when cooking pork chops in an air fryer, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat. For 3/4-inch thick chops, 6-8 minutes at 400°F should be sufficient, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

So, when using an air fryer, remember to preheat the appliance, shake the basket during cooking, and flip your food halfway through if necessary. Adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your food and ensure it reaches the correct internal temperature.

Post-cooking: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then serve

Once your chicken has reached the required internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer basket and place it on a plate. It's important to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving or slicing it. This will allow the chicken to cool slightly and ensure that the bottom coating doesn't get soggy.

While you wait, you can prepare a garnish of freshly chopped parsley, or slice up some lemon wedges to serve alongside the chicken. If you're serving the chicken with a side, now is a good time to finish preparing any accompaniments, such as a salad, honey mustard dressing, or some sautéed spinach.

After resting, your shake and bake chicken will be ready to serve! You can slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces to dress a salad, shred it to make a sandwich filling, or simply serve the breasts whole. Enjoy!

Reheating: Reheat at 360°F/180°C for 3-5 minutes

Reheating food in an air fryer is a great way to ensure maximum flavour and texture. It's also faster than heating up an oven and there's no preheating required.

• Place the food in the air fryer basket. For foods like French fries, arrange them in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation.
• Spritz the food with a light coating of olive or avocado oil. This step is optional but helps to refresh the food and promote even cooking.
• Reheat the food for 3-5 minutes. Shake the basket or flip the food about halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Check the food for doneness. If it's not heated through, continue cooking in 1-minute intervals until it's crispy and heated to your liking.

It's important to keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the type and size of food, as well as the specific model of your air fryer. Always keep an eye on your food to prevent overcooking or burning.

Frequently asked questions