Make Crispy Chicken In Your Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy chicken with less oil and mess. The key to getting that golden, crunchy texture is to use a cooking spray or oil to coat the chicken before placing it in the air fryer. You can also use buttermilk to help the flour or breading stick to the chicken and add flavour. For the best results, it's important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket and to cook the chicken in a single layer. This will ensure even cooking and allow the hot air to circulate, giving you that perfect crispy texture.

The importance of oil

Air-frying chicken is a convenient, tasty, and healthier alternative to deep-frying or pan-frying. While the use of oil is not as crucial in air-frying as in other cooking methods, a small amount of oil is essential to achieving the desired crispiness and colour of the chicken.

Moisture and Colour

A light coating of oil helps to keep the chicken moist during the air-frying process, ensuring that it doesn't dry out. Additionally, the oil aids in achieving the desired golden brown colour associated with fried chicken. This colour is not only visually appealing but also indicates that the chicken is cooked properly.

Seasoning Adherence

Oil also functions to help seasonings adhere to the chicken. Before placing the chicken in the air fryer, it is seasoned with various spices and herbs to enhance flavour. The oil acts as a binding agent, ensuring that the seasonings stick to the chicken and infusing it with flavour.

Cooking Spray

While cooking sprays should be avoided due to their potential to damage the air fryer's non-stick coating, a light coating of oil spray can be applied directly to the chicken. This technique is particularly useful for breaded chicken, such as chicken tenders, ensuring that the breading crisps up without burning.

Health Benefits

Compared to deep-frying or pan-frying, air-frying chicken with a small amount of oil is a healthier option. The chicken is not submerged in oil, resulting in reduced oil absorption and a lower fat content. This method also eliminates the mess and hassle of dealing with large pots of hot oil, making it a safer and more convenient cooking choice.

In conclusion, while air-frying chicken can be done with minimal oil, incorporating a small amount is crucial to achieving the desired texture, colour, and flavour. By understanding the importance of oil in this cooking process, you can create delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken.

Using buttermilk

Buttermilk is a key ingredient when making fried chicken in an air fryer, as it helps the batter stick to the chicken and gives the chicken a classic fried tenderness. It is also used to tenderise the chicken and break down the protein, resulting in juicy, flavourful meat.

To make your own buttermilk, simply combine a cup of milk with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let the mixture sit for around five to ten minutes until it curdles. You can then use this mixture to marinate your chicken.

When preparing your chicken, you should first season it with salt and pepper, before adding it to a bowl with buttermilk. The chicken should be covered and left to sit for at least an hour, or even overnight. You can then remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off any excess, before dipping it into a flour mixture.

When using an air fryer, it is important to spray the chicken with oil to ensure that all the flour is coated. This will help to create a crispy crust.

Bread the chicken

There are two main ways to bread chicken for the air fryer: using the egg and flour method, or coating the chicken in seasoned dried breadcrumbs.

Using the egg and flour method

First, dip the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and eggs. Next, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. You can also add spices to the flour for extra flavour. Finally, dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture again, and roll it in flour for a second time, ensuring the chicken is completely covered.

Using dried breadcrumbs

Drizzle oil over the chicken and distribute it evenly with your hands. In a separate dish, mix dried breadcrumbs with your chosen spices. Coat each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring there are no excess crumbs.

General tips

• If you have time, brine the chicken beforehand. Dissolve two tablespoons of salt in two cups of room-temperature water, and let the chicken sit in the solution for at least 15 minutes.
• Always flip the chicken or shake the basket to ensure it cooks evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Be generous with the oil spray to ensure the chicken is crispy and golden.

Air fryer temperature

The temperature you should set your air fryer to depends on the type of chicken you are cooking.

For chicken tenders, a temperature of 400°F is recommended. Chicken tenders should be cooked for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and crispy and golden on the outside.

For chicken breasts, a higher temperature of 390°F is recommended. Chicken breasts should be cooked for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

For chicken thighs and drumsticks, a temperature of 360°F is recommended. Chicken thighs and drumsticks should be cooked for 15 to 20 minutes, and then flipped and cooked for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important to note that air fryer temperatures can vary, so it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure that it is fully cooked before serving.

Chicken cuts

Choosing the Right Chicken Cuts

• Bone-in and skin-on chicken cuts, such as thighs, drumsticks, and breasts, are ideal for achieving crispy skin and juicy meat. The bone adds moisture and flavour, while the skin helps the coating adhere to the chicken.
• Chicken cutlets, which are thin slices of chicken breast, are perfect for air frying as they cook quickly and evenly, making it easier to get a crispy exterior without drying out the interior.
• Chicken strips or tenders made from chicken breasts are also suitable for air frying, but be mindful of their faster cooking time to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat.
• For a mix of dark and white meat, consider cutting up a whole chicken yourself. This way, you can have a variety of chicken pieces to work with.

Preparing the Chicken Cuts

• If using chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness before cooking. This helps ensure even cooking and a consistent crispy texture.
• For extra crispiness, consider marinating the chicken in buttermilk before coating and air frying. Buttermilk adds flavour and helps the coating adhere better. You can also use a dry brine by sprinkling salt over the chicken and letting it rest before cooking.
• When coating the chicken, use a combination of flour, spices, and seasonings of your choice. You can also use breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between each piece of chicken to allow hot air to circulate properly and crisp up all sides evenly.
• Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken is considered cooked and safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F.

Frequently asked questions