Are you looking for a tasty, healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken? Cooking with an air fryer gives you all the flavor without the added grease. Air frying is a great way to achieve restaurant-quality fries at home using little to no oil. So why not take your cooking up a notch and use your air fryer to make delicious chicken fries? In this post, we’ll share our top tips for making crispy, golden chicken fries in your air fryer!
What are chicken fries and what makes them so special:
Chicken fries are a type of chicken strips that are shaped like french fries. Not only do they have the classic shape, but they also hold together better and create more of an even cook than traditional chicken strips. They’re also juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and packed with flavor.
Preparing Your Chicken Fries for the Air Fryer:
Before you can pop your chicken fries in the air fryer, it’s important to prepare them properly. Start by cutting chicken breasts into thin strips that resemble french fries. Be sure to season your chicken generously with salt and pepper as well as any other spices or herbs of your choice. Then lightly coat the chicken in a light batter made from flour, egg, and milk. This helps create a crunchy crust when they’re cooked in the air fryer. Finally, lay out your chicken fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil before transferring them to your preheated air fryer.
The Best Ways to Season Your Chicken Fries:
The best thing about air fried chicken fries is that you can customize them to your own tastes. You can season the fries with whatever spices or herbs you like – from milder flavors like garlic powder and paprika to spices for a kick (think chili flakes and cayenne pepper). Alternatively, you could go for a classic seasoning mix such as Old Bay/Cajun seasoning or even Italian herbs. The possibilities are truly endless! Be creative and experiment with your seasonings to find the perfect flavor combination for you.
Benefits of using an air fryer to make chicken fries:
1. Health Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer to make chicken fries is the health benefits. When you fry chicken in oil, it can be high in calories, fat, and cholesterol. Air frying eliminates the need for oil or at least cuts down the amount of oil used to make chicken fries. The end result is a healthier meal that tastes just as good as its deep-fried counterpart. This makes air frying perfect for those who are looking for healthier alternatives to their favorite snacks.
2. Quick and Easy
Another benefit of using an air fryer for chicken fries is that it’s super quick and easy. All you need to do is coat your chicken with some oil or cooking spray, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, and let it cook. There’s no need to deal with messy oil, and there’s no need to preheat an oven or stovetop. With an air fryer, you can have delicious chicken fries in just a few minutes, with minimal fuss.
3. Consistent Results
One of the biggest problems with frying chicken is getting the temperature just right. The chicken can burn if the oil is too hot. If the oil is too cool, the chicken will be soggy and undercooked. With an air fryer, you don’t have to worry about any of that. Air fryers come with temperature controls that ensure consistent results every time you use them. This makes for perfect crispy chicken fries, every single time.
4. Easy to Clean
Another great benefit of using an air fryer to make chicken fries is that it’s easy to clean. Traditional deep frying can be a messy process, with oil splattering all over the place. But with an air fryer, there’s no mess to clean up. You just need to take the basket out of the air fryer, wash it quickly, and you’re done. This makes air frying not only a healthier option but also a more convenient way to make chicken fries.
5. Versatility
Finally, air fryers are versatile machines that can be used to make a variety of dishes. You can use an air fryer to cook up everything from fish to veggies, to snacks like french fries and onion rings. So if you’re looking to expand your cooking horizons, an air fryer is a great tool to have in your kitchen.
Shopping for the ingredients:
When shopping for ingredients to make chicken fries in an air fryer, it’s important to choose the right ones. For starters, opt for fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts – ‘frozen’ options tend to contain preservatives and other added chemicals. Also consider purchasing your herbs and spices from health food stores or specialty shops – this way you know you’re getting quality ingredients. Finally, it’s always best to use organic, free-range eggs for your batter instead of regular store bought ones. This ensures that the chicken fries will be as healthy as possible and free from any unwanted additives.
Step by step instructions on how to make chicken fries in an air fryer:
Making chicken fries in an air fryer is a simple and delicious way to enjoy restaurant-quality chips without the added grease. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make them:
- Cut your chicken breasts into thin strips that resemble French fries.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and other herbs or spices of your choice.
- Create a light batter by combining flour, egg, and milk in a bowl.
- Dip each chicken strip into the batter before transferring to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the battered chicken fries in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket as this can lead to uneven cooking.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through cooking time.
- Once cooked, remove from the air fryer and add desired condiments before serving.
Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Crispy Chicken Fries Every Time:
Making perfect chicken fries in an air fryer isn’t difficult; however, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to ensure that your chips come out perfectly crispy every time. Firstly, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket as this will lead to uneven cooking. Secondly, flip the fries halfway through cooking time to ensure they cook evenly. Finally, be sure to keep a close eye on the chips during cooking as air fryers can burn food quickly.
Following these tips and tricks will help you achieve perfectly crisp and golden chicken fries every time! So why not give it a try? You won’t be disappointed! Not only are they tasty and healthier than traditional fried chicken, but they’re also quick and easy to make. So what are you waiting for?
Serving suggestions for your freshly made chicken fries:
Once you have your freshly made chicken fries, it’s time to get creative with how you serve them! For starters, why not serve them as a delicious side dish or appetizer? They pair particularly well with classic dipping sauces such as ketchup and mayonnaise. Alternatively, you could use the fries as a base for other dishes such as nachos or burritos – the possibilities are truly endless!
You could even get creative and make your own unique twist on classic dishes. For example, why not top your fries with cheese, jalapenos, and salsa for a Mexican-inspired dinner? Or combine them with honey mustard sauce and bacon bits for an easy appetizer everyone will love! No matter how you decide to serve them, your freshly made chicken fries are sure to be a hit with family and friends!
Conclusion:
Air Fryer Chicken Fries are a great way to enjoy restaurant-quality chips without all the added grease. Not only that, but they’re also much healthier and faster to make than traditional frying methods. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can create delicious golden fries in no time – perfect for quick weeknight meals or when guests come round! So why not give them a try? You won’t be disappointed!
And don’t forget that the best thing about chicken fries is that you can customize them to your own tastes. Whether you opt for a classic seasoning mix or experiment with flavors to create something unique, air fryer chicken fries are sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings. So what are you waiting for?
Enjoying your chicken fries even more? Why not try experimenting with different accompaniments such as dipping sauces or toppings. The possibilities are truly endless – so go ahead and be creative!
FAQ,s:
A: Typically, you should cook the chicken fries for 8-10 minutes in an preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C). However, this may vary depending on the size of your fries – so it’s best to keep a close eye on them to ensure they cook evenly.
A: We recommend using fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of ‘frozen’ ones as these tend to contain preservatives and other added chemicals. This ensures that the chicken fries will be as healthy as possible and free from any unwanted additives.
A: To ensure your chicken fries come out perfectly crispy, we recommend flipping them halfway through cooking time and keeping a close eye on them during the process as air fryers can burn food quickly. Following these tips will help you achieve perfect chips every time!
A: The great thing about chicken fries is that you can customize them to your own tastes. Classic dipping sauces such as ketchup and mayonnaise often work best, but you could also experiment with other options such as honey mustard sauce, bacon bits or even cheese and jalapenos. Have fun and be creative!