Air-Fried Chicken Lollipop: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Chicken lollipops are a popular appetiser in Indian, Chinese and Filipino cuisine. They are made from chicken drumettes, wings or drumsticks, with the meat separated from the bone and pushed down to create a meaty ball at the end, resembling a lollipop. This fun and fancy finger food can be baked, fried, grilled or air-fried, and you can season them with a variety of spices and sauces to suit your taste.

How to Make Chicken Lollipops in an Air Fryer

Shaping the chicken lollipops

Firstly, you will need to use a sharp knife to make an incision around the base of the drumstick, near the joint. Be careful not to cut into the bone itself, but try to cut through the tendons and skin. Next, use a pair of kitchen gloves and shears to trim the knuckle and pull the cut piece of meat and skin up and over to expose the bone. You can then cut and trim away any remaining white tendons using the kitchen shears.

Now for the shaping! Hold the drumstick by the exposed bone and push the meat downwards towards the thicker end of the bone. Keep pushing and shaping the meat until it forms a neat, round ball at the end of the bone, resembling a lollipop. Check to see if the drumstick can stand upright on its own. If not, use your knife to carefully slice off any remaining angled parts of the leg until it stands upright.

Once you have shaped all your drumsticks, you can move on to seasoning and cooking. Remember, shaping the chicken lollipops might take a bit of force and practice, but it will be worth it for the impressive and elegant results!

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You can use a variety of spices and seasonings to create a flavour profile that suits your taste. Common ingredients include garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, pepper, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. You will also need a base for your marinade, such as yoghurt, honey, BBQ sauce, or soy sauce.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to prepare the chicken. Pat the chicken lollipops dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important as it ensures that the marinade adheres well to the meat.

Next, create your marinade by combining the spices and base ingredients in a bowl. Mix them together thoroughly until you have a well-incorporated paste. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. Place the lollipops in a large bowl or plate and generously apply the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Use your hands or a brush to evenly distribute the marinade, massaging it into the meat.

After coating, let the chicken marinate. This step is crucial as it allows the flavours to penetrate the meat. For best results, cover the bowl or plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to a few hours. If you have the time, you can even leave the chicken to marinate overnight, which will result in more intense flavours.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, it is ready to be cooked. You can choose to air fry, bake, or deep fry your chicken lollipops, depending on your preference and equipment available.

Remember, the marinating process is a great opportunity to experiment with different flavours and create a unique taste profile for your chicken lollipops. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities to find a combination that suits your palate.

Air-frying the chicken

To begin, you will need to prepare the chicken drumsticks by cutting them into lollipop shapes. Start by cutting the drumsticks at the base of the bone, being careful not to cut into the bone itself. Then, hold the bone end and push the meat downwards to form a lollipop shape at the bottom. Repeat this process for all the drumsticks.

Once you have prepared the chicken, it is time to season them. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as coarse sea salt, garlic powder, lemon pepper seasoning, onion granules, ginger powder, white pepper, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala powder. Simply combine your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and mix well.

Next, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then, toss the chicken in the seasoning until it is fully coated. You can also add other ingredients to the mix, such as yoghurt, lemon juice, and oil, to enhance the flavour. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably a few hours or overnight.

Now it's time to cook the chicken lollipops! Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place the chicken in the fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. For the exposed bones, wrap a small piece of foil around them to prevent burning.

Cook the chicken lollipops for around 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and baste the chicken with more marinade to add extra flavour and moisture.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your juicy and delicious air-fried chicken lollipops!

Dipping sauces

Chicken lollipops are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some ideas for delicious dips to serve alongside your air-fried chicken lollipops:

Spicy

• Honey mustard
• Buffalo sauce
• Sriracha glaze
• Spicy peanut sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Barbecue sauce

Sweet

• Honey
• Honey-garlic
• Teriyaki sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• BBQ sauce

Savoury

• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Aioli
• Mint chutney
• Gochujang sauce
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Garlic chilli sauce

Storage and reheating

You can store your chicken lollipops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Make sure they are fully cooled before storing.

When you're ready to reheat your chicken lollipops, preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken lollipops in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not crowded. Reheat for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through. You may want to turn them halfway through to ensure even heating.

If you are reheating frozen chicken lollipops, follow the same instructions but increase the cooking time to 15-20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions