Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken: How Long To Fry?

Popcorn chicken is a fun, bite-sized snack that's perfect for parties, game days, or even a quick protein fix. This crunchy, tasty treat is usually deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer for a healthier version. So, how long does it take to cook popcorn chicken in an air fryer?

How to make popcorn chicken in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Ketchup, low-fat ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinara, for dipping (optional)

Method

• Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Set up a dredging station: place the flour and a pinch of salt on a large plate. Place the egg in a bowl and add a teaspoon of water, beating until combined. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne (if using), and black pepper to the toasted panko and place on a large plate.
• Working in batches, dredge the chicken in the flour, lightly coating all sides. Then, dip it in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, add the chicken to the panko mixture and coat all sides evenly, pressing the crumbs to ensure they adhere.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with olive oil.
• Place around 30 pieces of chicken in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Spray the tops with oil.
• Cook for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

Tips

• You can freeze any uncooked popcorn chicken in an even layer in a freezer-safe container lined with parchment paper. When you're ready to cook, heat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with oil, add the chicken, and cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• To freeze and reheat cooked chicken, let it cool completely, then flash-freeze on a baking tray. Transfer to a freezer bag or container and store for up to 3 months. To reheat, heat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket with oil and cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• If you're using frozen chicken, you don't need to preheat the air fryer. Simply air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How long to cook frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer

Air fryer popcorn chicken is a quick, tasty, and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken. It's a fun, snackable way to get your protein fix and can be served with your favourite dipping sauces.

The cooking time for frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer varies depending on the brand of chicken and the model of the air fryer. On average, it takes around 10 minutes to cook frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces are not overlapping. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process.
• Check if the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness. If you want it extra crispy, you can cook it for a few minutes longer.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips for cooking frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer:

• There is no need to defrost the chicken before cooking. Simply take it out of the freezer and place it directly into the air fryer.
• Spread out the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• You don't need to add any extra oil to the chicken as most brands already have a breading that will crisp up nicely.
• For best results, freeze popcorn chicken uncooked.

A recipe for making your own frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer:

If you want to make your own frozen popcorn chicken from scratch, here's a recipe you can try:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Your choice of dipping sauce (e.g. ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard)

Instructions:

• Toast the panko crumbs in a skillet with olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden. Transfer to a plate.
• Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
• Set up a dredging station: place flour and ¼ teaspoon salt on a large plate, beat an egg with a teaspoon of water in a bowl, and combine the toasted panko with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, and black pepper on another plate.
• Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, then dip them in the egg, and finally coat them evenly with the panko mixture.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil.
• Place about 30 pieces of chicken in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Spray the top with oil.
• Cook for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Serve immediately or let cool and freeze for later.

Storing and reheating:

To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, cook in the air fryer at 300 degrees F for 4 minutes.

How to store leftover air fryer popcorn chicken

To store leftover air fryer popcorn chicken, it's important to let the chicken cool down to room temperature first. This is to prevent condensation, which could make the breading soggy. Once the chicken has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to four days, although some sources suggest it can be stored for up to a week.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook the chicken for about 3-6 minutes, or until warmed through.

What to serve with air fryer popcorn chicken

Air fryer popcorn chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas on what to serve with it:

Dipping Sauces

You can serve your air fryer popcorn chicken with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include:

• BBQ sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Honey mustard
• Marinara sauce
• Low-fat ranch dressing
• Ketchup
• Buffalo wing sauce
• Mayonnaise

Salads

The crispy chicken pieces can also be served on top of a green salad. You can pair it with a honey mustard or ranch dressing.

Sandwiches

You can also use the popcorn chicken as a sandwich filling. Create a crispy chicken sandwich by adding lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

Kabobs

For a unique presentation, you can serve the chicken kabob-style by alternating pieces of chicken with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves to create Caprese chicken kabobs.

Sides

If you're looking for side dishes to accompany your popcorn chicken, here are some ideas:

• French fries or tots
• Crispy crowns
• Corn ribs

Freezing

You can also freeze the cooked popcorn chicken for up to 3 months and reheat it in the air fryer when needed. This way, you can enjoy it as a quick snack or appetizer whenever you want.

Tips for making the best popcorn chicken in the air fryer

Pre-cooking

To make the best popcorn chicken in an air fryer, there are several steps you can take before cooking to ensure the best results. Firstly, it is important to cut the chicken into evenly-sized pieces, as this will ensure they cook evenly. You should also set up a dredging station with flour, egg, and seasoned panko crumbs. The panko crumbs can be toasted in a little oil before breading the chicken to save time later and ensure a crispy texture.

During cooking

When it comes to cooking, it is important to ensure that the chicken pieces are not crowded in the air fryer basket. They should be arranged in a single layer with space between each piece to allow the hot air to circulate properly and achieve maximum crispiness. It is also a good idea to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.

Post-cooking

If you have any leftover popcorn chicken, it is important to let it cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the breading soggy. Leftovers will stay fresh for up to four days.

Reheating

To reheat your popcorn chicken, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lay the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each piece. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until warmed through, and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions