Make Chicken Crunchy In An Air Fryer: Tips And Tricks

Making chicken crunchy in an air fryer is a straightforward process that yields juicy and tender meat with a crispy, golden outer layer. The key to achieving this lies in a combination of specific ingredients, techniques, and air fryer settings.

Firstly, the choice of chicken is important. Bone-in chicken pieces with skin-on, such as thighs, drumsticks, or breasts, are ideal. If using boneless chicken, it is recommended to leave the skin on for optimal results.

The chicken is then typically marinated in a mixture of buttermilk, hot sauce, and spices. This step helps tenderize the meat, adds flavour, and prepares the surface for breading. Common spices used include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

After marinating, the chicken is coated in a dry mixture, often consisting of flour, cornstarch, and additional spices. This dry mixture is what creates the crunchy texture when cooked in the air fryer.

Finally, the chicken is placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring adequate space for air circulation. A light spritz of oil is applied to the chicken, and it is then cooked at a temperature between 360-400°F for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

The result is a delicious, crunchy, and juicy chicken dish that rivals traditional deep-fried chicken without the mess and excess oil.

The importance of dredging

Dredging is a fundamental cooking technique that involves coating wet or moist foods with a dry ingredient before cooking. In the context of making crunchy chicken in an air fryer, the dredging process is crucial for achieving that crispy texture and sealing in the moisture of the chicken.

Sealing in Moisture

One of the primary advantages of dredging is its ability to seal in moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out during the cooking process. By creating a barrier of dry ingredients, such as flour or breadcrumbs, the chicken retains its juiciness while still achieving a crunchy exterior.

Enhancing Flavour and Texture

Dredging also plays a vital role in enhancing the flavour and texture of the chicken. The coating applied during dredging adds a crunchy texture and helps to evenly brown the surface of the chicken without burning. Additionally, seasoning the flour or breadcrumbs with spices and herbs infuses flavour into the chicken.

Preventing Sticking

Another benefit of dredging is that it prevents the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket or pan. This ensures that the chicken can be easily removed from the cooking surface without tearing or leaving behind residue.

The Standard Breading Technique

The standard breading technique involves a three-step process: dredging with flour, dipping in an egg wash, and finally coating with breadcrumbs. This sequence is essential because each layer serves a specific purpose. The flour creates a dry surface for the egg to adhere to, and the egg acts as a glue to hold the breadcrumbs in place. Skipping any of these steps could result in a less crispy coating or an uneven texture.

In summary, dredging is a critical step in making crunchy chicken in an air fryer. It ensures moisture retention, enhances flavour and texture, and prevents sticking. By following the standard breading technique and properly seasoning the dry ingredients, you can achieve a delicious, crunchy coating on your air-fried chicken.

The role of buttermilk

Buttermilk is an essential ingredient when making crunchy chicken in an air fryer. It is a famous ingredient for fried chicken, and for good reason.

Buttermilk is the liquid left behind after churning heavy cream into butter. It has a slightly sour and acidic taste. This mild acidity is what makes it perfect for tenderising chicken without toughening the meat, as stronger acids like lemon and vinegar would. The enzymes in buttermilk also help to break down protein in the chicken, resulting in a more tender and flavoursome meat.

In addition to improving the texture of the chicken, buttermilk also adds a tangy flavour that perfectly complements the savoury coating. It helps the flour mixture stick to the chicken, and adds flavour to the dish.

For the best results, it is recommended to leave the chicken to marinate in buttermilk for at least four hours, or even overnight.

How to get the right crunch

To get the right crunch when making chicken in an air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken dry before seasoning or coating. This helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring that the skin puffs up and becomes crispy during cooking.

Next, create a coating or breading for the chicken that includes flour, cornstarch, and/or baking powder. These ingredients help to create a crispy texture and a golden colour. For example, a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder can be used. You can also add spices like smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper to build flavour. Ensure you thoroughly dredge or coat the chicken in this mixture.

Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, spray the basket with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Then, place the chicken in the basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces do not overlap. This ensures even cooking and allows air to circulate. During cooking, you may need to flip the chicken and spray it with cooking oil again to ensure even crisping.

Cooking at a higher temperature, such as 390-400°F, will help to create a crispy exterior. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces and your air fryer, but for juicy and tender results, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Finally, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in the juices and maintain that crispy texture.

Oil spray vs oil mister

Oil sprayers and oil misters are both used to coat food with a thin layer of oil, but they differ in their features and performance. Here's a detailed comparison between the two to help you decide which one is better for your air fryer chicken:

Oil Spray

• Oil sprays, such as aerosol non-stick cooking sprays like PAM, are convenient and easy to use. They are typically ready-to-use and require no preparation.
• However, oil sprays often contain additives and propellants that can be harmful to health and may damage the coating of your air fryer basket over time.
• Oil sprays are usually more expensive in the long run, as you need to keep buying new cans when they run out.

Oil Mister

• Oil misters, on the other hand, are refillable and allow you to use your choice of oil without any added chemicals. This gives you control over the type and quality of oil you use.
• They are more cost-effective in the long run, as you only need to invest in a good-quality mister once.
• However, oil misters require some preparation, as you need to pump or squeeze them a certain number of times before use to build up pressure.
• The quality of the mist and ease of use can vary between different oil misters, with some producing an inconsistent mist or being difficult to hold.

Recommendations

When choosing an oil mister, look for one that is made of glass, stainless steel, or plastic. Glass is naturally chemical-free and elegant, stainless steel is durable and protects the oil from degradation, and plastic is lightweight, durable, and budget-friendly. Avoid oil misters with a lot of parts, as they can be difficult to clean.

• Evo Oil Sprayer: Available in stainless steel, plastic, and glass options. Offers a consistent mist and a large capacity.
• Misto Oil Sprayer: Budget-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and functional. Available in glass, stainless steel, and plastic options.
• Wayeept Oil Spritzer: Sleek design, easy to hold and use, and comes with cleaning brushes. Budget-friendly.
• CHEFVANTAGE Olive Oil Mister: A popular choice for air fryers, delivering a fine coat of oil. Comes in a set of two.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing of your air fryer chicken will depend on the type of chicken you are cooking, the size of your air fryer, and the level of crispiness you want to achieve.

Air Fryer Temperature

Most recipes recommend cooking the chicken at a temperature between 360-400°F (180-200°C). Some recipes suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 300°F (150°C) initially and then increasing the heat to 400°F (200°C) to finish cooking the chicken and create a crispy, golden outer layer.

Air Fryer Timing

The cooking time will depend on the type of chicken and the size of the pieces. For example, chicken wings may only need 18-22 minutes in total, while chicken breasts could take up to 30 minutes. Bone-in chicken may take longer to cook than boneless chicken.

It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly. The recommended internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check this. If you do not have a thermometer, cook the chicken until the juices run clear.

Tips for Crispy Chicken

• Use an oil spray or mister to lightly coat the chicken with oil before and during cooking. This will help to create a crispy, golden exterior.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Ensure there is enough space between the pieces of chicken to allow for air to circulate freely. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Check the chicken during cooking and add a few extra minutes if needed to achieve the desired level of crispiness.
• Some recipes suggest using baking powder in the seasoning mix, as this reacts with the chicken skin to create a crispy coating.

Frequently asked questions