Air-Fried Chicken Feet: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Chicken feet are a delicacy enjoyed by foodies and dimsum enthusiasts alike. For those who are curious about cooking chicken feet in an air fryer, this guide will teach you how to make them crispy and tasty. The process involves multiple steps, including boiling, marinating, and air frying. First, the chicken feet are boiled and soaked in water, then drained and dried. Next, they are marinated in a mixture of spices and sauces. Finally, they are placed in the air fryer basket, brushed with oil, and cooked until brown and crispy. The result is a delicious and convenient weeknight treat that may just become your new favourite!

How to Cook Chicken Feet in an Air Fryer

Soaking the chicken feet

Firstly, bring a large pot of water to a boil. You will need enough water to fully submerge the chicken feet, so use a pot that is large enough to accommodate this. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the chicken feet into the pot. You can decide how soft you want the chicken feet to be; for a softer texture, let the feet boil for 12 to 15 minutes. For a slightly firmer texture, boil for 20 to 30 minutes.

After boiling, remove the chicken feet from the hot water and drain the water. Then, place the chicken feet under cold running water or submerge them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This will also help to cool down the chicken feet for easier handling in the next steps.

Use kitchen towels to pat the chicken feet dry. Remove any excess water from the surface of the skin. This step is crucial, especially if you plan to air fry the chicken feet, as it prevents oil splatter and ensures even cooking.

Place the chicken feet in a single layer on a drying rack or plate and let them air dry for one to two hours. This step will help to ensure that the chicken feet are completely dry before cooking. Alternatively, you can also use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process.

Once the chicken feet are dry, they are ready for the air fryer. However, if you have the time, you can soak the chicken feet in cold water for a minimum of two hours or even overnight. This extended soaking time will further tenderize the skin and enhance the flavour. Make sure to drain the chicken feet from the cold water soak before proceeding to the next step of air frying.

Boiling the chicken feet

To cook chicken feet in an air fryer, you must first boil them. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and then carefully place the chicken feet into the pot. You can choose to boil the feet for 12 to 15 minutes for a softer texture, or up to 20 to 30 minutes if you prefer. Once the feet have boiled for your desired time, drain the water and rinse the feet with cold water. This step is important, especially if you plan to deep-fry the chicken feet after air-frying.

After rinsing, dry the skin of the chicken feet with kitchen towels. Place the feet in a drainer and allow them to air-dry for one to two hours. This step is crucial to ensure the chicken feet are dry before air-frying, as any remaining moisture can cause oil to splatter during the frying process.

While the chicken feet are drying, you can prepare the sauce and coating. In a pan, sauté some smashed or grated ginger and garlic in a small amount of oil. To this, you can add a variety of ingredients to create a flavorful sauce. For a simple option, add black beans, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, honey, and sesame oil. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can include chili peppers or chili oil, along with other herbs and spices to suit your taste.

Once the chicken feet are dry and your sauce is ready, it's time to air-fry. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While the air fryer is preheating, you can toss the boiled chicken feet in the sauce to coat them evenly. Make sure to get the sauce into all the nooks and crannies of the feet. Then, place the coated chicken feet in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air-fry the feet for about 15 minutes until you see blisters form. Flip the feet over and continue air-frying for another 15 minutes or so.

Preparing the sauce

After boiling and rinsing, it's crucial to dry the chicken feet thoroughly. Use kitchen towels to absorb the moisture from the skin, and then let the chicken feet air-dry in a drainer for at least an hour or two. This step is essential, especially if you plan to deep-fry the chicken feet after air-frying, as it prevents oil splatters and ensures a crispier texture.

While the chicken feet are drying, you can start preparing the sauce. Smash or mince some ginger and garlic, and sauté them in a pan with a little oil. The amount of oil can be adjusted to your preference, but a moderate amount will help carry the flavors of the aromatics. Sautéing ginger and garlic creates a fragrant and tasty base for your sauce.

Once the ginger and garlic are lightly browned and fragrant, it's time to add the remaining sauce ingredients. For an authentic and flavorful sauce, consider using a combination of black beans, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, honey, and sesame oil. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences and create a sauce that is either more savory, sweet, or tangy.

After adding the sauce ingredients, stir the mixture well and let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. You can also add a little water and cornstarch to adjust the consistency of the sauce, making it thicker or thinner to your liking. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Finally, when the sauce is ready, you can toss the boiled chicken feet in the sauce to coat them evenly. Ensure that each piece of chicken foot is generously coated, as this will add flavor and glaze to the air-fried chicken feet.

Cooking the chicken feet

To cook chicken feet in an air fryer, you will first need to boil the chicken feet. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the chicken feet, boiling for 12 to 30 minutes, depending on how soft you want the feet to be. Drain the water and rinse the feet with cold water. Dry the skin with kitchen towels and then set aside to dry for one to two hours.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 400°F / 190°C. Place the chicken feet in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray or massage the feet with oil. Air fry for 10 to 15 minutes until blistered, then turn over and cook for another 15 minutes. The chicken feet are done when they are brown and slightly crispy.

For an extra flavour boost, you can marinate the chicken feet before air frying. Simply soak the feet in your chosen marinade for two hours or overnight. Additionally, you can toss the boiled feet in a sauce before air frying. To make a simple sauce, smash and sauté ginger and garlic in oil, then add your desired herbs, spices, and other ingredients such as soy sauce, honey, or sesame oil.

Finally, serve your air-fried chicken feet with a cold beer and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

There are a variety of serving suggestions for air-fried chicken feet. One option is to serve them with beer. You can also prepare a sauce to coat the chicken feet in before serving. To make this sauce, first, smash and sauté ginger and garlic in some oil. Then, add other sauce ingredients of your choice—for example, black beans, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, honey, and sesame oil. Toss the boiled chicken feet in the sauce and allow it to boil for a few minutes.

Another option is to sprinkle some flour on the chicken feet and fry them in batches until blistered. You can also soak the chicken feet in cold water for a couple of hours or overnight before boiling and air frying them. This will give you tender chicken feet without the need to visit a Chinese restaurant!

If you want to go the extra mile, you can deep-fry the chicken feet after air frying them. To do this, first, dry the skin of the chicken feet with kitchen towels and then let them dry in a drainer for one to two hours. After drying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/190°C and air fry the chicken feet for about 15 minutes on each side, or until you see blisters.

Finally, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer when frying multiple batches, and remember to let the chicken feet cool down before serving!

Frequently asked questions