Air-Frying Chicken Patties: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken patties are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, and are a great option for a tasty lunch or dinner. The cooking time for chicken patties in an air fryer varies depending on the thickness of the patties, whether they are frozen or not, and the model of the air fryer. On average, chicken patties will take between 10 to 20 minutes to cook in an air fryer at a temperature of around 350-400°F.

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 and helps to achieve that desired crispy texture. Here's a comprehensive guide on preheating your air fryer for cooking chicken patties:

Step 1: Understand the Importance of Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that your chicken patties will cook evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and doneness throughout. Secondly, preheating helps to create a stable cooking environment, allowing for more precise cooking times and temperatures. This is especially important if you're aiming for that perfect golden brown crust on your chicken patties.

Step 2: Set the Right Temperature

The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer when cooking chicken patties is around 350°F to 400°F. This temperature range will ensure that your patties cook through evenly without drying out. It's important to allow sufficient time for the air fryer to reach the desired temperature before adding your chicken patties. Most air fryers will have a preheat function or indicator light to let you know when it's ready.

Step 3: Arrange the Chicken Patties

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken patties. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. This arrangement ensures that hot air circulates evenly around each patty, promoting even cooking. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the patties in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Step 4: Monitor the Preheating Process

Keep an eye on your air fryer during the preheating process. Most modern air fryers will have automatic temperature controls, but it's always a good idea to double-check that the desired temperature has been reached. You can do this by using an instant-read thermometer to verify that the air fryer has reached the set temperature. This will help you avoid undercooking or overcooking your chicken patties.

Step 5: Adjust Temperature and Time Accordingly

Depending on the model and size of your air fryer, the preheating time may vary. Smaller air fryers may preheat faster, while larger ones might take a bit longer. Additionally, if you're cooking at a higher altitude, you may need to adjust the preheating temperature and time slightly. As a general rule, increase the preheating temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit for every 3000 feet above sea level.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring the best results for your chicken patties. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to cooking juicy and evenly cooked chicken patties with that perfect crispy texture.

Temperature and timing

The cooking time and temperature for chicken patties in an air fryer depend on whether they are frozen or homemade, and whether you want them to be crispy or not.

Frozen Chicken Patties

Frozen chicken patties should be cooked for 10-12 minutes in a preheated air fryer set to 360°F (180°C). Flip the patties halfway through the cooking time.

Alternatively, you can cook them for 7-9 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Again, flipping them halfway through.

Homemade Chicken Patties

If you are making your own chicken patties from scratch, the cooking time and temperature vary depending on the desired texture.

For juicy and tender chicken patties, air fry for 12 minutes at 350°F (180°C), flipping halfway through.

For a crispy exterior, arrange the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 390°F (200°C) for 7 minutes. Flip them, and then cook for another 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

Reheating Chicken Patties

To reheat chicken patties in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the patties in the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.

Flipping the patties

When flipping the patties, use a spatula or spoon to gently lift and turn them over. This prevents the patties from falling apart or losing their shape. It is also important to ensure that the patties are not overlapping or touching each other in the air fryer basket to achieve the crispiest exterior.

Additionally, some recipes suggest brushing the patties with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer. This adds to the crispiness of the exterior without the need for breading. However, if you prefer a breaded patty, you can coat them in breadcrumbs before cooking, which will result in a crunchier texture.

Finally, it is worth noting that the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the number of patties cooked at once. If cooking in batches, the first batch may require slightly less cooking time as the air fryer is already preheated.

Internal temperature

Achieving the right internal temperature is crucial when cooking chicken patties in an air fryer to ensure they are cooked thoroughly without drying out. The target internal temperature for chicken patties is 165°F (74°C).

For frozen chicken patties, the cooking time varies between 10 and 12 minutes in an air fryer set to 360°F to 400°F. It is important to preheat the air fryer for even cooking. The patties should be placed in a single layer, with space between them, and flipped halfway through the cooking process.

For homemade chicken patties, the cooking time is slightly shorter, typically around 7 to 9 minutes in an air fryer set to 350°F to 390°F. Again, preheating the air fryer and ensuring adequate spacing between the patties is essential.

A meat thermometer is a valuable tool to determine whether the chicken patties have reached the desired internal temperature of 165°F. It is recommended to let the patties rest for a few minutes after cooking, during which time the internal temperature will continue to rise slightly.

Reheating chicken patties

To reheat chicken patties in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 350°F to 375°F. Place the chicken patties inside the air fryer and cook for 3 to 8 minutes until they are thoroughly heated.

You can also reheat frozen chicken patties in an air fryer. To do this, air fry the patties at 360°F for 16 to 18 minutes.

Frequently asked questions