It’s challenging when you spend hours preparing a healthy meal for your children, and they refuse to eat it and push for takeout instead! Don’t worry, our guide on how to cook chicken fries in an air fryer will help you cook a delightful meal that your children will love.
This playful combination of classic fries and chicken tenders is so tempting, even the pickiest eaters cannot resist these protein-loaded treats.
Air frying chicken fries rather than deep-frying slashes the number of calories and further increases their nutrition value. Air-fried chicken fries are the perfect blend of flavor and nutrition, and making this recipe from scratch doesn’t take as long as you might think.
Ingredients
You can make chicken fries using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. They are:
- Boneless Chicken Breast
- Oil
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
- Any seasoning of your choice, like onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, or Sriracha.
Utensils You Will Need
- Knife
- Tongs
- Oil Spritzer
- Whisk
- Air Fryer
Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make Homemade Chicken Fries in Air Fryer
Prepping the Chicken
- Using a sharp chef knife, cut the chicken breast into two halves. Slice each half lengthwise several times until you have long, thin strips.
- Combine salt, pepper, and any other seasoning with breadcrumbs on a shallow plate and mix well using a whisk.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy.
- Now, dredge the chicken strips, one at a time, in eggs and then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture. Coat each strip, and let any excess drip off.
Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer at 380 °F/ 193 °C for 5 minutes. Then, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with your favorite oil using an oil mister . We recommend using any oil with a high smoke point to eliminate the chances of smoke at elevated temperatures. Avocado oil and olive oil are among the many appropriate oils to choose from.
Loading the Fryer Basket
Using tongs, gently place the coated chicken strips in the drawer basket in a single layer. Ensure the strips are not overlapping and that the basket is not overcrowded. If it is, the fries may not cook evenly because the hot air cannot move around them appropriately.
A larger air fryer can fit up to 12 pieces, but it is preferable to cook large quantities in small batches if you own a small one.
Cooking the Fries
Cook the chicken fries at 380 °F/ 193° C for about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through by shaking the basket or tongs. When you see a golden color and crispy texture, remove the chicken from the air fryer.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken to be certain the chicken is thoroughly cooked. For this, insert an instant-read or meat thermometer inside the chicken strip. The temperature should be at least 165 °F/ 74 °C.
Serve!
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the fryer and serve piping hot with a flavorful dip or side of roasted veggies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Frozen Chicken Fries in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 °F/200 °C for 2 minutes.
- Spritz the fryer basket using non-stick cooking oil.
- Choose your favorite frozen chicken fries bag from your local grocery store.
- Put the fries in individual layers with some gap between each pane. Again, slight touching is ok but don’t overfill the basket!
- Air fry the fries for 8 to 12 minutes at the same temperature with occasional tossing to ensure that the fries don’t attach to the base or each other.
- Remove from the basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken Fries in an Air Fryer?
Homemade chicken fries take about 10 minutes to prep and 12 to cook, so these super healthy and kid-friendly fries can be on the table ready-to-eat in just 22 minutes!
Storing And Reheating
If you have any leftovers, place them in a paper towel-lined airtight container and store them in your refrigerator for up to five days.
To reheat, you can use the lowest temperature setting on the air fryer or microwave them until heated thoroughly.
Some Points to Remember
- Preheat your air fryer oven ahead of cooking for optimal
- For frozen chicken strips or fries, cooking time may vary, depending on the brand. Each brand has chicken fries of unique length and thickness, so change the settings accordingly.
- The air fryer itself can affect the cooking time. Some cook faster than others.
- Cook the chicken fries in batches to guarantee each one is evenly cooked and crispy. Adding a spritz of oil can also give them the extra crunch.
- Clean the air fryer after every use so it doesn’t get caked with food over time.
