How Long to Cook Chicken Fries in Air Fryer: Cooking Tips
Must-see for beginners! Making chicken strips in the air fryer is so simple, just follow the time and you can’t go wrong. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and so delicious.
How long do you air fry chicken fries for?
If you use the air fryer to cook chicken fries, it is recommended to set the temperature to 180°C and cook for 12-15 minutes.
If the chicken strips are thicker, you can extend the time appropriately. You can flip them halfway through to ensure both sides are evenly crispy.
Don’t forget, every air fryer’s heat is not exactly the same, so open the lid to check anytime. When you see the color turn golden and the crust is crispy, it’s almost done.
Why are my chicken fries not crispy in the air fryer?
If they turn out not crispy, it could be because of the following:
Moisture on the chicken surface: If there’s moisture on the surface of the chicken strips, they won't turn crispy when fried. Make sure to dry the surface before frying to help form the crispy coating.
Too little oil: Although the air fryer uses less oil, a little bit of oil can help the chicken become crispier. You can lightly spray a layer of oil on the chicken.
Not high enough temperature: If the temperature isn’t high enough when frying the chicken fries, the coating won’t crisp up. Set the temperature to around 180°C for a crispier result.
Chicken too crowded: If the chicken fries are too close together, the air won't circulate properly, affecting the crispiness. Make sure there’s some space between the pieces so the air can circulate freely.
Not fried long enough: If you don’t fry them long enough, the surface won’t crisp up. You can extend the time slightly, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
How do you know when chicken fries are done?
You can judge by the appearance and texture:
Golden and crispy on the outside: When you see the chicken fries turn golden and crispy, they’re almost done. Gently tap the surface, it should make a crispy sound.
Fully cooked inside: You can cut one of the chicken fries to check, it should be fully cooked inside with no pink. Use a meat thermometer, the center of the chicken should reach 75°C.
If it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it’s time to take them out!
Do I need to add oil to make chicken fries in the air fryer?
When making chicken fries in the air fryer, even though it uses less oil, spraying a little oil can make a difference. Oil helps the chicken surface become crispier and adds flavor.
You can spray a thin layer of oil on the chicken surface or use a brush to coat it, helping it fry to a golden crispy texture.
However, you don’t need a lot of oil—just a little is enough. After all, the air fryer cooks with hot air, so the amount of oil used can be much less than traditional frying.
Do you need to preheat the air fryer for chicken fries?
Yes, it's best to preheat the air fryer before making chicken fries. Preheating helps the air fryer reach the desired temperature quickly, ensuring the chicken fries cook evenly and become crispy.
Generally, 3-5 minutes of preheating is enough. You can set the temperature to 180°C, preheat, and then place the chicken fries inside. This will result in a better outcome, with crispier coating.
Do I need to flip chicken fries while cooking in the air fryer?
Flipping the chicken fries while cooking in the air fryer is really helpful. Since the hot air in the air fryer blows from the top, sometimes the bottom gets crispier, so flipping them ensures both sides are evenly heated, giving you a golden and crispy coating on all sides.
I usually flip them halfway through, around 6-8 minutes in. You can open the air fryer slightly to check the surface of the chicken fries, then gently flip them. Just be careful not to flip too roughly, as it might break the chicken fries apart.
After flipping, continue cooking. Let them crisp up in the remaining time, and in the end, you'll have crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, super delicious chicken fries!
