Air-Fried Chicken Fries: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken fries are a fun and easy snack to make in an air fryer. They are a great alternative to chicken nuggets or chicken fingers and can be made in under 15 minutes. Chicken fries are similar to chicken tenders or nuggets but in the shape of french fries. They can be made from scratch or using frozen chicken fries from brands like Tyson, Kroger, or MorningStar Farms. The key to getting crispy chicken fries is to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and ensure they are not overcrowded. You can also spray them with a bit of oil for extra crispness. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step in making chicken fries. This step is important because it ensures that your chicken fries will cook evenly and efficiently. Here's a detailed guide on how to preheat your air fryer for making chicken fries:

Firstly, it is important to note that not all air fryers are created equal. Some air fryers, like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Cosori models, have a built-in preheat functionality, so you don't need to worry about manually preheating them. If your air fryer does not have this feature, you'll need to take a few extra steps to ensure it's properly preheated.

To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. For chicken fries, a temperature of 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit is typically recommended. Once you've set the temperature, let the air fryer run for a few minutes to heat up. The time required for preheating can vary depending on the model of your air fryer, but generally, 5 minutes should be sufficient.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken fries. It's important that the chicken fries are frozen before placing them in the air fryer. If you're making homemade chicken fries, slice your chicken into thin strips, similar to the size of French fries. You can also add your preferred seasonings, such as salt, pepper, or dry Sriracha, to the chicken at this stage.

After seasoning the chicken, you can prepare a breading mixture. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs with your choice of seasonings. You can also add a small amount of oil to the breading mixture if you prefer a crispier texture. Dip each chicken strip into the oil, ensuring they are well coated, and then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture.

Once your chicken fries are prepared and your air fryer has preheated for about 5 minutes, it's time to assemble. Open the air fryer basket and spray it with a non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Then, place your chicken fries inside the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This is important as it allows the hot air to circulate around each chicken fry, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.

Close the air fryer basket and let the chicken fries cook for the recommended time, which is usually around 10 minutes. During the cooking process, you may want to shake or flip the chicken fries halfway through to ensure even cooking on all sides.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly preheated your air fryer and be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy chicken fries. Remember to refer to your air fryer's user manual for any specific instructions or guidelines related to preheating and cooking. Enjoy your homemade chicken fries!

Prepare the chicken

Preparing the chicken is the most important part of this recipe. You can use either fresh chicken breasts or chicken tenders, or frozen chicken fries. If you're using fresh chicken, slice the breasts into thin strips, about the size of french fries. If you're using frozen chicken fries, there's no need to thaw them before cooking. Simply take them out of the freezer and proceed to the next step.

Whether you're using fresh or frozen chicken, it's important to remove any excess moisture from the surface of the meat. This will ensure that the breading adheres properly and doesn't slide off during cooking. To do this, simply lay the chicken pieces on a thick wad of paper towels and let them sit for a few minutes.

Next, prepare your breading station. In one bowl, pour a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, or any other cooking oil you have on hand. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs with your desired seasonings. You can use Italian breadcrumbs, or regular breadcrumbs and add your own spices such as salt, pepper, and dry Sriracha for some heat.

Now, you're ready to bread the chicken. Dip each piece of chicken into the oil, making sure to coat it evenly. Then, roll the chicken around in the breadcrumb mixture until it's completely coated. Repeat this process until all of your chicken pieces are breaded.

Once your chicken is breaded, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F and preheat for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, spray the inside of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

After your air fryer is preheated, you're ready to cook your chicken fries. Place the breaded chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Close the air fryer and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the outside is browned and crispy. If you're using frozen chicken fries, cook for about 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, and check the doneness by breaking one piece in half.

Once your chicken fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve with your favorite dipping sauces!

Cook the chicken fries

Cooking chicken fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Preheat the Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating to 380-400°F for 5 minutes. This step ensures that your chicken fries cook evenly and efficiently.

Prepare the Chicken Fries:

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your chicken fries. If you are using frozen chicken fries, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply remove them from the freezer and place them on a paper towel-lined surface to absorb any excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture. You can also season the chicken fries with salt and pepper or any other desired seasonings.

Bread the Chicken Fries (Optional):

If you prefer breaded chicken fries, dip each piece into a small bowl of oil and then roll them in a separate bowl of breadcrumbs and seasonings until well coated. This step is optional but will result in a crispier texture.

Now it's time to cook your chicken fries! Place the chicken fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate around each piece, promoting even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the brand and thickness of your chicken fries, set the timer for 9-12 minutes. For example, Tyson Any'tizers and similar brands are typically cooked for 10 minutes. Remember to shake or turn the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

If you are cooking a larger batch, you may need to cook the chicken fries in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once the chicken fries are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve them immediately. They go well with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, or buffalo sauce. You can also get creative and serve them in wraps, salads, or nachos.

Reheating and Storing Leftovers:

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken fries back in the air fryer at 350-375°F for 2-5 minutes until heated through and crispy again.

Serve with a dipping sauce

Chicken fries cooked in an air fryer are a great snack or meal, and they're even better when served with a dipping sauce. Here are some ideas for sauces to serve with your chicken fries:

Ketchup

A classic choice for a reason, ketchup is a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce that pairs well with the crispy, golden breading of the chicken fries. It's a familiar favourite for both kids and adults.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce, also known as BBQ sauce, is a sweet and smoky condiment that adds a bold flavour to your chicken fries. It's a perfect choice if you're looking for something a little different from the usual ketchup.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise, or mayo for short, is a creamy and tangy sauce that can add a touch of richness to your chicken fries. It's especially good if you're looking for a sauce with a milder flavour that won't overpower the taste of the chicken.

Honey Sriracha Sauce

For those who like a little spice, honey Sriracha sauce is a perfect choice. It combines the sweetness of honey with the spicy kick of Sriracha, a chilli-garlic sauce. This sauce will add a nice balance of sweet and spicy to your chicken fries.

Buffalo Sauce

If you're a fan of spicy wings, you'll love dipping your chicken fries in buffalo sauce. It has a bold, tangy flavour with a kick of heat. You can also make your own buffalo chicken fries by dredging chicken strips in buffalo sauce and breadcrumbs before air frying.

Mardi Gras Mustard Sauce

For something a little different, try a Mardi Gras mustard sauce. It's a creamy, tangy sauce with a hint of spice that will add a nice kick to your chicken fries. This sauce is especially good if you're looking for something beyond the usual ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Sweet Potato Fries Sauce

As the name suggests, this sauce is a perfect complement to sweet potato fries, but it also goes well with chicken fries. It's a slightly sweeter sauce, but with a tangy twist that makes it perfect for dipping.

In addition to these sauces, you can also experiment with your favourite salad dressings, such as ranch or blue cheese, or even a simple squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Get creative and find the perfect dipping sauce to satisfy your cravings!

Reheat any leftovers

Reheating chicken fries in an air fryer is simple and quick. If you have any leftover chicken fries, you can reheat them in the air fryer and they will still taste delicious.

To reheat chicken fries in the air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 375-380°F. Then, lay the leftover chicken fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Reheat for about 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when reheating, as this will ensure that the chicken fries heat up evenly and get crispy. If you have a large amount of leftovers, you may need to reheat them in batches.

Reheating chicken fries in the air fryer is a great way to get that crispy texture back, and it is much quicker than using an oven. You can also reheat chicken fries in the oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes if you prefer.

Frequently asked questions