Air-Fried Cornflake Chicken: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken is a delicious, crunchy, and juicy dish that is perfect for a quick, easy, and protein-filled meal. This recipe puts a healthy spin on traditional fried chicken by using an air fryer, which requires less oil and cooking time. The cornflake coating gives the chicken a crispy texture, and the simple seasoning makes it versatile enough to pair with any side dish. This recipe is also customizable, as you can experiment with different spices and ingredients to create your own unique cornflake chicken dish.

How to Make Cornflake Chicken in an Air Fryer

Preparing the chicken

First, you'll want to cut your chicken into your desired size and shape. Most recipes suggest cutting chicken breasts into strips or nuggets, but you can also use chicken tenders, thighs, or drumsticks. If you're using boneless chicken, you can cut it into bite-sized pieces. For chicken with bones, leave them intact.

Once you have your chicken cut, it's time to season it. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, poultry seasoning, or Italian seasoning. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl, then sprinkle them over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. You can also marinate the chicken in buttermilk and seasonings for a more intense flavour. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Next, you'll need to prepare your cornflake coating. Place the cornflakes in a blender or food processor and pulse until they form a breadcrumb-like consistency. You can also put them in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or cup. Pour the crushed cornflakes into a shallow dish and mix in your desired seasonings. Some recipes suggest adding Parmesan cheese or panko breadcrumbs to the cornflake mixture for extra flavour and crunch.

Now it's time to set up your breading station. You'll need three dishes: one with beaten egg, one with flour, and one with the cornflake mixture. First, dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then dredge it in the flour, and finally, coat it with the cornflake mixture. Make sure each piece of chicken is completely coated, pressing the cornflakes onto the chicken if needed.

Once your chicken is coated, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer. Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then place the chicken pieces inside, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Preparing the cornflakes

Firstly, you will need to crush the cornflakes. This can be done by placing them in a blender or food processor and pulsing until they resemble breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can put them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or cup to crush them by hand. The cornflakes should be crushed to a fine crumb consistency, with a few larger pieces being acceptable.

Once crushed, the cornflakes can be seasoned. This is an important step to add flavour to your chicken. You can season the cornflakes with salt and pepper, or get creative with spices and herbs of your choice. For example, you could try adding some paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning. Mix the cornflake crumbs and seasonings together in a bowl.

Next, you will need to set up a breading station. This will make the process of coating the chicken easier and less messy. Have a shallow dish of cornflake crumbs, a plate of beaten egg, and your air fryer basket ready. You can also add some grated parmesan cheese to the cornflake crumbs if desired.

Now, you are ready to start coating the chicken. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg first, ensuring it is fully coated. Then, move the chicken to the cornflake crumbs and press the crumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick and form a complete coating.

Finally, place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Spray the chicken with cooking spray to help the cornflakes crisp up and give a golden colour. Now your cornflake chicken is ready to be cooked!

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 375°F (190°C) to 400°F (200°C). Preheat your air fryer to your desired temperature.

Next, set up your breading station. You will need a shallow dish for the cornflake mixture, a separate bowl for the egg wash, and a plate for the chicken.

For the cornflake mixture, crush the cornflakes in a blender, food processor, or plastic bag until they resemble breadcrumbs. Aim for a fine crumb, but a few larger pieces are okay. Transfer the crushed cornflakes to a shallow dish and mix in your desired seasonings. You can use salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, poultry seasoning, or Italian seasoning.

For the egg wash, beat an egg with a fork in a separate bowl. You can also add milk, vinegar, and salt to the egg wash if you want.

Now you are ready to start breading the chicken. Using one hand for the wet mixture and one hand for the dry mixture, dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash first, then into the cornflake mixture. Make sure each piece of chicken is completely coated in the cornflake mixture, pressing the cornflakes onto the chicken so they stick.

Once all the chicken pieces are coated, place them into the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Spray the chicken generously with cooking spray to create a crispy crust and prevent the chicken from sticking to the air fryer.

Now your air fryer is prepared and ready to go!

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken is coated and ready to go, it's time to cook it! Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to soggy or undercooked chicken. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or oil, making sure to get a nice, even coating.

Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time. Most recipes recommend a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and a cooking time of around 10 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. For food safety, it is recommended that chicken be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To check this, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the chicken.

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help ensure that the juices redistribute and that the chicken stays nice and juicy.

And that's it! Your cornflake chicken is now ready to be enjoyed. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauces or side dishes, and enjoy the crispy, juicy goodness!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer cornflake chicken. Here are some suggestions:

• Dipping sauces: BBQ, ranch, buffalo, honey mustard, sweet chilli sauce, or yum yum sauce.
• Sides: coleslaw, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, creamy zucchini risotto, savoury bacon and cheddar cheese muffins, roasted broccoli, roasted carrots, air fryer caramelized onions, blooming sweet potato, or hasselback potatoes.
• Salads: Easy Pesto Orzo Salad, French Onion Mac & Cheese.
• Vegetables: Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Bacon, Instant Pot Southern Green Beans.
• Bread: Pair with some type of bread for a more filling meal.
• Cheese: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Frequently asked questions