Air Fried Popcorn Chicken is a crunchy treat that offers the satisfaction of fried food without all the extra calories. Instead of being deep-fried in oil, air frying uses Air to make it crispy. This air-fried popcorn chicken recipe provides you with one of your favorite takeout meals without any guilt.
The air fryer operates like a convection oven, with Air circulating the food. It cooks by removing moisture from the surface of the food and then blowing hot Air around it until it is cooked through to your desired level. The result is healthy fried foods low in fat and calories without sacrificing taste or crispiness.
Origins Of Air Fried Pop Corn Chicken?
Popcorn chicken is believed to have been created in Japan. However, it gained popularity when it was introduced to the American people by a Japanese chef, Robert Ikeda, at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Air fried popcorn chicken became an American staple after its introduction. Each year air fryers are sold all over the United States, with Air fried popcorn chicken becoming one of the most popular recipes.
Health Benefits
Even air fried popcorn chicken is low in fat and calories. A study conducted by the American Council of Exercise found that air frying creates food up to 50 percent lower in saturated fats and calories than deep-fried foods. So air fried popcorn chicken provides an enjoyable afternoon snack or dinner without ruining your healthy eating habits.
Air fried air frying has several health benefits. First, air frying requires little to no oil, making it a healthy alternative to deep-frying. Additionally, air fried foods are evenly cooked without the oil typically found in deep-fried foods; Air fried air fryers make Air fried popcorn chicken crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without leaving behind extra fat or calories.
Serving
One of the best things about Air fried air fryers is that they can quickly and easily cook almost anything you want quickly and easily. They’re perfect for cooking vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and asparagus; meats like steak, ham, and salmon; Air fried popcorn chicken; desserts like apple crisp and chocolate chip cookies; and even Air fried air fryer break.
Time
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 oz) chicken tenders (you can also use boneless/skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes or strips; adjust cooking time accordingly),
- 2 Tablespoons flour,
- 2 teaspoons salt,
- ½ teaspoon pepper,
- 31 egg white,
- ¼ cup milk or water,
- pinch of salt,
- Cooking oil spray to coat the bottom of your air fryer basket.
Instructions
- Air Fried Pop Corn Chicken Recipe Instructions Before you start, preheat your air fryer to 370°F for 6 minutes.
- Then reduce the temperature if necessary depending on what type of food you are cooking and how much you are cooking at one time.
- Wash your chicken tenders in cold water, then dry them with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, mix your flour, salt, and pepper.
- Next, add your egg white to another bowl and whisk until frothy, then add in milk/water and a pinch of salt.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture then into the flour mixture, getting a nice even coating on both sides of chicken tenders before placing them in the air fryer basket.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray, then place all your coated chicken tenders into the air fryer basket, make sure they aren’t touching, and close the lid for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Rotating occasionally is recommended to ensure even crisping throughout the entire process of cooking time on this Air Fried Pop Corn.
Dips For Air Fried Pop Corn Chicken
Air-fried popcorn chicken is great, but some people like to dip their food in something while they eat. A few options are listed below, paired with the types of flavors you can expect from each sauce.
- Honey Mustard- sweet and tangy flavor
- Ranch- creaminess with added herbs
- BBQ Sauce- smoky flavor
- Buffalo Sauce- spicy kick with a hint of vinegar
- Cheese Sauce- sharp cheddar
Nutritional Information And
Each serving of Air fried popcorn chicken contains around 216 calories. It also offers 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of carbohydrates, with approximately 2 grams of dietary fiber. Each serving also contains no cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of sugar, and 11 grams of fat.
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE CHICKEN RECIPES
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this recipe make?
This Air fried popcorn chicken recipe yields 4 servings, so you will have plenty of leftovers.
Does it need to be defrosted before cooking it in the air fryer?
No, if your chicken tenders are frozen, just follow the cooking instructions and adjust the time accordingly based on how thawed your food is when you put it into the basket.
How do I know when my Air Fried Pop Corn Chicken is done cooking?
The best way to tell when your meal is finished is by using a meat thermometer! For safety reasons, be sure your chicken reaches 165°F as recommended by the FDA before taking it out of the air fryer.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving size has 216 calories on average!
What is a good side dish for this meal?
Air fried popcorn chicken goes well with various side dishes, including fries, corn-on-the-cob, and broccoli salad, to name a few! However, if you’re looking for healthier alternatives, try pairing them with baby carrots, steamed vegetables, or Swiss rainbow chard.
Final Words
Air Fried Pop Corn Chicken is a great alternative to popcorn chicken made in the oven! It’s much healthier considering it contains no breading or frying. This meal tastes delicious on its own, but some people like to have dipped with their meals which you can find above paired with a type of sauce that compliments each flavor well.
Checkout More Chicken Recipes:
Chicken Sandwich Meal Recipe
Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich
Homemade Frontega Chicken Sandwich
Open Faced Chicken Sandwich
