Air-Fryer Chicken Patty Perfection: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Chicken patties are a quick, easy, and delicious meal to make in an air fryer. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, frozen or fresh, and are a versatile dish that can be served in a bun, with a side of vegetables, or on a salad. Making chicken patties in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a crispy exterior without using a lot of oil, and the cooking time is significantly reduced compared to other methods.

Cooking Chicken Patties in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your chicken patties will cook evenly. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F, although some recipes suggest temperatures between 360°F and 390°F. The time required for preheating your air fryer will depend on the model, but it generally takes around 5 minutes. One source suggests preheating to 390°F for about 5 minutes.

It is important to note that not everyone agrees on the need to preheat. Some people choose to forgo preheating their air fryer to save time. However, this may result in uneven cooking.

When preheating your air fryer, it is essential to refer to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are using the appliance safely and correctly. Different models may have specific requirements or recommendations for preheating.

Additionally, the cooking time and temperature settings may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken patties, the number of patties you are cooking, and the type of air fryer you are using. Thicker patties, for instance, may require a longer preheating time to ensure even cooking.

By preheating your air fryer, you create a consistent cooking environment that will help you achieve the desired level of doneness for your chicken patties.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken patties in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the type of patty (frozen or homemade), the thickness of the patty, and the model of the air fryer.

For frozen chicken patties, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen patties in a single layer, leaving space between them for hot air to circulate. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until warmed thoroughly. If you're using buns, you can place them inside the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes until crisped.

If you're cooking homemade chicken patties, the cooking time and temperature will vary depending on the thickness of the patties and your air fryer model. As a guide, preheat your air fryer to 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the patties in a single layer and cook for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they're golden brown and cooked through.

It's important to note that the internal temperature of the chicken patties is a more accurate indicator of doneness than cooking time. The patties are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To check, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the center of the patty. If the temperature is below 165 degrees Fahrenheit, continue cooking in 2-3 minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached.

For reheating chicken patties in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the patties in a single layer and heat for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they're warmed through.

Chicken patty ingredients

Chicken patties are a great option for a quick and easy meal. They can be made with either ground chicken or leftover cooked chicken, and are typically combined with other ingredients to form a patty shape. Here are the ingredients and steps to make delicious chicken patties in an air fryer:

• Ground chicken or leftover cooked chicken: This is the base of your patty. Ground chicken needs to be raw, while cooked chicken can be shredded or diced.
• Breadcrumbs: These serve as a binder to hold the patty together and add a crispy texture. You can use plain, Italian-flavored, or Panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.
• Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent to help hold the patty together.
• Seasonings: You can customize the seasonings to your taste. Common options include salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Milk: Milk helps the breading stick to the patties.
• Oil: A small amount of cooking oil is needed to brown the breading and add moisture to the mix.
• Cheese: Cheese is optional but adds a juicy and tasty centre to your chicken patty.

Optional Ingredients:

• Lemon zest and dill: These ingredients add a unique and refreshing flavour to your chicken patties.
• Green onions: These can be mixed into the patty mixture or used as a garnish.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise keeps the patties moist and juicy.

Steps:

• Combine the ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken with the breadcrumbs, eggs, seasonings, and any optional ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well.
• Form the mixture into patties. The size and thickness of the patties can vary, but they typically range from 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick.
• Brush the patties with a small amount of oil.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have space and are not overlapping.
• Cook the patties for 7 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Serve and enjoy!

How to form chicken patties

To form chicken patties, you'll first need to prepare your chicken mixture. If you're using raw chicken, you can grind it up or shred it with your hands, two forks, or a stand mixer. If you're using leftover cooked chicken, you'll need to dice or shred it, then combine it with eggs, mayonnaise, and spices in a food processor. You can also add cooked and cubed chicken to a food processor with eggs, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.

Next, you'll want to add your chicken mixture to a bowl with your desired seasonings and mix well. You can add breadcrumbs, eggs, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and dried spices. You could also add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, or Dijon mustard. If you're making chicken fritters, you can add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to ground chicken.

Once your mixture is ready, it's time to form the patties. You can create balls with your hands and place them on parchment paper, then flatten them with a spatula or the back of a spoon. You can also drop spoonfuls of the mixture into hot oil and flatten them as they cook. Make your patties about 1 inch thick, as they will plump up during cooking. You can also make them 3/4 inch thick. Brush each patty with olive oil, and if desired, dredge in breadcrumbs, dip in milk, then dredge in breadcrumbs again.

If you have the time, cover and refrigerate your patties for 30 minutes or more, up to 24 hours. This will help them hold their shape and enhance their flavour.

Reheating chicken patties

To reheat chicken patties in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180-182°C). Place the chicken patties inside the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space between each patty so that the hot air can flow. If you are reheating frozen chicken patties, increase the cooking time to 16-18 minutes. For thawed chicken patties, reheat for 5-7 minutes, adjusting the time as needed based on the size and thickness of the patties. If your patties are on the thicker side, flip them halfway through the cooking time.

You can add a light coating of oil to the patties before reheating to help restore crispiness, but this is optional.

It is important to note that you should not reheat chicken patties more than once, as reheating multiple times can increase the risk of bacterial contamination.

Frequently asked questions