Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Chicken fries are delicious, kid-friendly, and quick-to-prepare snacks or meals you can easily prepare in your air fryer!
I love chicken fries that are coated in a crispy mixture of breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, or spicy mayonnaise, or serve with smashed potatoes and salad for a full meal!
Best Part Of The Chicken To Use
You can use chicken tenders to make chicken fries, but I prefer to use chicken breasts — they’re perfect for slicing! This part of the chicken will give you pleasantly firm yet juicy chicken fries that will have a perfect shape.
You can also go with chicken tenders or thighs, but if you want a clean cut for your chicken fries, then chicken breasts are the ideal cut to use.
How To Season Chicken Fries
When it comes to seasoning, you can season the chicken fries however you like. Personally, I like to keep my seasoning classic — in most cases, I simply stick with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
If you want, you can add dried herbs, spicy chili powder, curry powder, Ranch seasoning mix, or any desired spice blend. Chicken pairs well with most spices, so you can’t go wrong.
If you want to go for a fun twist, you can also use seasoned chips, like paprika- or Nacho-cheese-flavored chips.
Why The Air Fryer Is Best
An air fryer is a perfect appliance for so many things, and the best thing of all is that this appliance makes your unhealthy food healthier.
As an air fryer uses just a bit of cooking spray, you will drastically reduce the fat content and calories in your food. Air-frying also provides the crisp texture of deep-frying without the excess of unhealthy oils!
In the mere 8 minutes that it takes to air fry your chicken fries, you can steam some delicious veggies (like green beans or broccoli) to serve on the side so your kids have a healthier lunch option!
Store-Bought Vs Homemade Chicken Fries
Like many dishes, it’s easy to argue that the homemade version tends to be superior to its frozen counterpart — and this recipe is no exception.
If you have the time and energy, you won’t regret trying this from-scratch option. The do-it-yourself route allows you the freedom to select your desired chicken cut as well as the chips, breadcrumbs, and spices you love.
That being said, on those jam-packed weeknights, there’s no shame in going the easy route — we still hope you’ll give this recipe a try, too!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these crunchy chicken fries as a main dish with roasted veggies and mashed or smashed potatoes alongside (of course) a fresh salad. They are also great as an appetizer or a midday snack with your favorite dipping sauce!
As with most fried foods, even if made in the air fryer, chicken fries will start to lose their crunch after some time — it is best to serve and enjoy them straight away.
If you do have some leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cups potato chips
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into ½-inch thick slices. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs with melted butter and half of the onion and garlic powders.
4. In a food processor, process the potato chips until coarsely ground. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato chips with the breadcrumbs and the remaining spices.
5. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture and shake off excess. Coat the chicken with panko mixture.
6. Place each chicken fry in the air fryer basket, being sure to arrange them so that they don’t touch (you can always cook additional batches).
7. Cook for 8-9 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through. Repeat with any remaining chicken fries.
8. Serve chicken fries warm with desired dipping sauce and side dishes.
Notes
- After breading, freeze the chicken fries for a few minutes so the coating will adhere better to the chicken meat.
- Maintain the proper air fryer temperature and cook the chicken fries at 390°F.
- To ensure a perfectly crispy finish, cook the chicken fries in batches. Do not allow the fries to overlap. Also, shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking.
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Enjoy these crunchy chicken fries as a main dish with roasted veggies and mashed or smashed potatoes alongside (of course) a fresh salad. They are also great as an appetizer or a midday snack with your favorite dipping sauce!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cups potato chips
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into ½-inch thick slices. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs with melted butter and half of the onion and garlic powders.
4. In a food processor, process the potato chips until coarsely ground. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato chips with the breadcrumbs and the remaining spices.
5. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture and shake off excess. Coat the chicken with panko mixture.
6. Place each chicken fry in the air fryer basket, being sure to arrange them so that they don't touch (you can always cook additional batches).
7. Cook for 8-9 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through. Repeat with any remaining chicken fries.
8. Serve chicken fries warm with desired dipping sauce and side dishes.
Notes
- After breading, freeze the chicken fries for a few minutes so the coating will adhere better to the chicken meat.
- Maintain the proper air fryer temperature and cook the chicken fries at 390°F.
- To ensure a perfectly crispy finish, cook the chicken fries in batches. Do not allow the fries to overlap. Also, shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking.