Air Fryer Chicken Patties: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Cooking frozen chicken patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy chicken sandwich on the table in under 20 minutes. It's healthier than deep-frying and much faster than using a conventional oven. You can use store-bought frozen chicken patties or make your own at home.

To cook frozen chicken patties in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for the air to circulate. You don't need to defrost the patties first—cooking them straight from frozen is quicker and easier.

Cook the patties for around 10–12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For extra crispy patties, add an additional minute or two of cooking time. Serve in a bun with your favourite toppings and condiments.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen chicken patties. It ensures that the patties will cook evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and taste throughout. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for cooking frozen chicken patties:

Step 1: Set the Temperature

Set the temperature of your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for cooking frozen chicken patties, as it will ensure they are cooked through while achieving a crispy exterior.

Step 2: Allow Time for Preheating

Give your air fryer sufficient time to preheat. Depending on the model of your air fryer, it may take a few minutes to reach the desired temperature. For accurate results, refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Patties

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the frozen chicken patties. Take them out of the freezer and arrange them in a single layer on a plate or a tray. This will ensure even cooking once they are placed in the air fryer.

Step 4: Place the Patties in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer has preheated to the set temperature, carefully place the frozen chicken patties inside. Ensure that they are placed in a single layer, not overlapping, to allow for even cooking.

Step 5: Set the Timer

After placing the chicken patties in the air fryer, set the timer according to your desired level of doneness. For well-cooked patties, cook them for 7-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This timing will result in juicy and thoroughly cooked chicken patties with a crispy exterior.

Step 6: Optional Bun Toasting

If you plan to serve your chicken patties on buns, you can place the buns inside the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. This step is entirely optional but will result in crispy, toasted buns to complement your chicken patties.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your air fryer is properly preheated, which is crucial for achieving the best results when cooking frozen chicken patties. Enjoy your delicious and evenly cooked meal!

Place chicken patties in the air fryer

Place the chicken patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch. It's important to leave space between the patties so the air can circulate. If your patties are frozen together, air fry them for a few minutes first so they can be separated.

There's no need to defrost the chicken patties before placing them in the air fryer. In fact, it's better to cook them straight from frozen as it's quicker, easier, and produces a better result.

Brush the basket and patties with a little oil before cooking. This step is optional, but it will give your chicken patties a crispier texture.

Cook for 7-12 minutes

Cooking frozen chicken patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, crispy result. It's also healthier than deep-frying and less greasy than other cooking methods.

To cook frozen chicken patties in an air fryer, you'll need to preheat the air fryer to a temperature of between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen chicken patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for the air to circulate. You don't need to defrost the chicken patties first; cooking them straight from frozen is quicker, easier, and produces a better result.

Cook the chicken patties for 7-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the patties and the model of your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on them while they cook. For extra crispy chicken patties, you can add an additional minute or two to the cooking time.

Once the chicken patties are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, they're ready to be served. You can enjoy them as a burger by placing them in a bun and adding your favorite toppings, or serve them with your favorite sides.

Some tips for the best results:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between the patties for the air to circulate.
• If your patties are frozen together, air fry them for a few minutes first to thaw them slightly, then separate them and continue cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the patties have reached the safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For a crispy breaded chicken patty, coat it in breadcrumbs and spray with cooking oil before cooking.
• If you want to add cheese to your chicken patty, place a slice of cheese on top after cooking and let it melt in the residual heat of the air fryer.

Flip halfway through

Flipping frozen chicken patties halfway through the air-frying process is an important step to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. Depending on the air fryer model and the desired crispiness level, the total cooking time can vary from 7 to 18 minutes.

• Preheat your air fryer: While some recipes suggest cooking from cold, preheating your air fryer to around 350-400°F can help ensure even cooking.
• Prepare the chicken patties: Place the frozen chicken patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for the air to circulate.
• Flip halfway through: After placing the patties in the air fryer, set the timer for the desired cooking time. Remember to flip the patties halfway through the cooking process. This ensures both sides cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.
• Cooking time: The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the patties, the air fryer model, and your preferred level of doneness. For most recipes, the total cooking time ranges from 7 to 12 minutes for pre-cooked patties and 8 to 12 minutes for homemade patties.
• Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check if the patties have reached the recommended internal temperature of 165°F. This is important to ensure safe consumption, even if the patties are pre-cooked.
• Serve: Once the patties are cooked, you can serve them as desired. They go well with burger buns, lettuce, condiments, and your favourite toppings and sauces.

Remember, flipping the chicken patties halfway through the cooking process ensures even cooking and browning on both sides, so don't skip this step!

Add cheese and toppings

Now for the fun part: adding cheese and toppings!

Once your chicken patties are cooked, it's time to get creative with your toppings. Start by placing the patty on a bun—brioche, multigrain, or ciabatta are great options. Then, add a slice of your favourite cheese. American, cheddar, Colby Jack, or pepper jack are all excellent choices. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try mozzarella, gouda, or gouda jack. The key to getting the cheese nice and melty is to turn off the air fryer, place the cheese on the patty, and let it sit for 30-60 seconds. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly.

But why stop there? Load up your chicken patty with toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, bell peppers, or sautéed onions. And don't forget the sauce! Spicy Sriracha mayo, mustard, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, or burger sauce will all take your chicken patty to the next level.

If you're making these chicken patties as part of a meal prep or cooking for a crowd, it's good to know that they store well. You can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer, conventional oven, or even the microwave until warm, and they'll taste just as good as the day you made them.

Frequently asked questions