Best Air Fryers For Crispy, Golden Fried Chicken

Air fryers are a convenient countertop convection oven that uses a fan to circulate hot air to cook food. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying, as they require only a tiny amount of oil. The best air fryer will depend on your needs. For example, the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer is a small, yet powerful machine that is perfect for solo cooks and apartment dwellers. On the other hand, if you're cooking for a large group, the Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer is an absolute steal for its size and performance.

Air fryer fried chicken recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds skin-on chicken (a mix of bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks, and/or breasts)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (or as needed)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Olive oil spray
• Optional: hot sauce or cayenne pepper

Method:

• Marinate the chicken: Add the buttermilk, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and mix well. Place the chicken in the bowl and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to marinate.
• Prepare the breading: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Coat the chicken: Using tongs, remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess. Quickly dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.
• Prep the air fryer: Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket, making sure the pieces are not touching. Spray the chicken with olive oil spray.
• Air fry the chicken: Set the air fryer to 350°F. Air fry the chicken for 15 minutes, then flip the pieces over. Spray the chicken with olive oil spray again and cook for another 5-12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the cut of chicken and how full your air fryer basket is. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken.
• Rest and serve: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite sides, such as salad, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese.

Tips:

• For the best results, pat the chicken dry before coating it with the marinade and breading mixture. This will ensure the chicken is extra crispy and juicy.
• You can marinate the chicken in advance. The recipe creator has tested the chicken marinated for up to 24 hours.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
• The chicken should be golden brown throughout the cooking process. If you notice light-colored spots, spray a little more oil over those areas.
• Only add the cornstarch as needed. If you add too much, the coating will be too thick.
• If you like spicy chicken, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the batter.

Storage:

• To store leftovers: Place the cooked chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• To freeze: Put the cooked chicken in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To reheat: Reheat the fried chicken in the air fryer or a preheated oven. Do not microwave, as this will make the skin soggy.

Air fryer chicken breasts

Ingredients

• Skin-on chicken breasts
• Buttermilk
• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Spices (salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder)
• Olive oil spray

Method

First, prepare the skin-on chicken breasts by marinating them in buttermilk and spices. You can also add a mix of flour and cornstarch to the breading mixture for extra crispness. Ensure the chicken is coated evenly on both sides.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch so that air can circulate around them. Spray the chicken breasts lightly with olive oil spray.

Cook the chicken breasts for around 25 minutes, depending on their thickness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure they are cooked through.

If you're cooking multiple batches, remember to spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray in between batches to prevent sticking.

Tips

• You can use skin-off chicken breasts, but be prepared for them to be drier.
• To prevent floury spots on the chicken, spray it lightly with cooking spray. This will help the flour absorb into the egg layer and prevent it from burning.
• For crispier chicken skin, some people recommend adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer to prevent smoking. However, this is not necessary and can be done at your own risk.
• If you're cooking for a crowd, consider using an air fryer with a larger capacity or cooking in batches.

Storage and Reheating

To reheat, it's best to use the air fryer or a preheated oven to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as this will make the skin soggy.

Air fryer chicken wings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of chicken wings
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup of hot sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot)
• Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for serving
• Optional: extra virgin olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and/or garlic powder

Method

• If your chicken wings are not already split, cut them at the joint and remove the tips.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels. This step is key for achieving crispy skin.
• Sprinkle the wings generously with salt.
• Place the wings in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You may need to cook them in multiple batches.
• Set your air fryer to 360°F and cook the wings for 12 minutes.
• Flip the wings and cook for an additional 12 minutes.
• Increase the heat to 390°F and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until the outsides are extra crispy.
• While the wings are cooking, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Stir in the hot sauce.
• Once the wings are done, toss them in the butter-hot sauce mixture to coat.
• Serve immediately with your choice of dressing on the side.

Tips

• For extra crispy wings, give the air fryer basket a shake every few minutes to ensure even cooking.
• If you prefer saucy wings, toss them in your sauce of choice after cooking instead of coating them in the butter-hot sauce mixture.
• For lemon pepper wings, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and several grinds of black pepper in a bowl. Toss the cooked wings in this mixture and serve immediately.

Air fryer chicken nuggets

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to deep frying, allowing you to enjoy crispy and juicy fried chicken with less fat and fewer calories. In this guide, we will focus on making chicken nuggets in your air fryer. Chicken nuggets are a popular choice for both kids and adults, and they can be a quick and easy meal or snack.

Ingredients and Preparation

For air fryer chicken nuggets, you will need the following ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or tenderloins
• Buttermilk
• Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder)
• Flour (all-purpose or wheat)
• Cornstarch
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Before preparing the chicken, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).

Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or using chicken tenderloins. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and add buttermilk and your desired spices. Let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes, or even up to 24 hours in advance for more flavourful nuggets.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and additional spices to create the breading mixture. The cornstarch will help thicken the batter and give the nuggets a crispier texture.

Cooking Instructions

Once your chicken is marinated and your air fryer is preheated, you can begin the cooking process:

• Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, making sure they are well coated.
• Place the coated chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking.
• Generously spray or brush the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. This step will help the nuggets get crispy and golden.
• Air fry the chicken nuggets for 15 minutes, then flip them over and spray with oil again.
• Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the nuggets from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks

• For the best results, pat the chicken dry before marinating and breading. This will help ensure a crispy and juicy texture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the nuggets in batches if needed to allow for proper air circulation.
• If you notice any light-coloured spots during cooking, spray a little more oil on those areas to promote even browning.
• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Nuggets are safe to eat when they reach 165°F (74°C).
• For spicy chicken nuggets, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the batter.
• You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to create your own unique flavour combinations.

Storage and Reheating

• To store leftover chicken nuggets, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• To freeze cooked nuggets, put them in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
• When reheating, avoid microwaving as it can make the nuggets soggy. Instead, reheat in the air fryer or a preheated oven to retain their crispy texture.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy air fryer chicken nuggets!

Air fryer chicken parmesan

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (8 oz each)
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Optional

• Non-aerosol oil spray
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Eggs

Method

• Set the air fryer to 350-400°F. Preheat for 3 minutes.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and trim.
• Pound the chicken breasts into thin slices.
• In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs.
• Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining pieces of chicken.
• Place the chicken breasts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you will need to cook in batches.
• Add the chicken breasts to the preheated air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken breasts over and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
• Set aside and keep warm. Repeat with any remaining chicken.

Tips

• To reheat any leftovers, use the air fryer basket at 350°F until heated through to 165°F.
• You can also use the microwave to warm leftovers, but the breading will not be as crispy.
• For crispier chicken, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before breading.
• For even cooking, slice the chicken thinly.
• For the crispiest texture, use Panko breadcrumbs.
• Preheat and grease the air fryer basket to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Spray the chicken with cooking spray for a golden-brown color.
• Flip the chicken halfway through for even cooking and crispiness.

Frequently asked questions