Should I put flour on my chicken before putting it in the air fryer?

Author: Rusty Predovic  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

For my air fryer chicken, I like to soak the chicken in buttermilk to give it that classic fried chicken tenderness. Then, I dip it once in very well seasoned all-purpose flour. That provides a nice layer of breading on the chicken, but it isn't so much flour that it'll be a problem in the air fryer.

Do I flour my chicken before air frying?

Preheat an air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix flour, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Dredge chicken thighs in seasoned flour. Dip back into buttermilk, then coat with panko bread crumbs.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in an air fryer?

The best way to avoid drying out the chicken is to slice it first, so it cooks quicker. Then add a little bit of oil before air frying. Make sure you don't air fry it too long - you want it to be thoroughly heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), but not more than that.

Should I put flour on chicken before cooking?

Yes, coating chicken using flour is a common method before frying and baking it . Because it helps to create a crispy outer layer.

What is the trick to getting crispy chicken?

7 Tips for Getting Fried Chicken Extra Crispy
  1. Start by tenderizing.
  2. Don't skip the brine.
  3. Season the flour.
  4. Mix things up a little.
  5. Put some muscle into it.
  6. Fry it twice. (Yes, twice.)
  7. Leave plenty of room.

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Can I fry chicken in the air fryer?

Making fried chicken in the air fryer is a revelation. You'll get a crispy crust and juicy interior without all the steps of deep-frying — and it takes just a spritz of added oil.

Why is chicken not crispy in an air fryer?

During the air frying process, if you pull out the chicken and notice any dry flour spots on the chicken, spray those spots lightly with oil. The breading will never crisp up if it doesn't have a tiny bit of oil to hydrate it.

How do I keep my air fryer from sticking?

2. Spray the Basket Lightly with Vegetable Oil Spray. The next protective measure you can take is an obvious one: spraying the basket lightly with vegetable oil spray. We recommend doing this with foods that are prone to sticking, including fried chicken, chicken Parmesan, and our better-than-boxed fish sticks.

Why does the breading fall off chicken air fryer?

You Don't Start Dry

The first step to breading chicken is crucial; make sure the chicken is completely dry before starting the dredging process. Using a paper towel, pat the meat dry on all sides. Excess moisture will cause the flour to get soggy and thus will not adhere properly to the chicken.

Should I put oil on chicken before air frying?

Coat with oil: Mist the bottom of the air fryer basket and both sides of the chicken with oil and transfer them to the preheated air fryer. It's okay if the chicken is touching but the pieces should not overlap. Cook: Air fry at 390 degrees F for 25 minutes.

Why is my chicken always dry in the air fryer?

Some foods are naturally more prone to drying out when cooked in an air fryer. For instance, lean meats like chicken breasts or pork chops, and low-fat items like vegetables, can lose moisture quickly due to their low fat content.

How do you keep meat moist in an air fryer?

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

Should you use flour in an air fryer?

Flour — All-purpose flour or bread flour is perfect for fried chicken as it gives the chicken a golden-brown coating after being air-fried. It is also neutral in flavor, so it doesn't compete with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika added to it.

How do you keep flour from falling off fried chicken?

It sounds counterintuitive, but a dry surface will help the flour adhere evenly to the chicken. Just as important as the first patting down of the chicken's surface, the final pat down of your meat after covering it with breading helps every piece of crunchy coating adhere.

Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you put raw frozen chicken in the air fryer! You won't be able to brine it first or pound it to an even thickness (so the results are not *as* juicy) but if you forget to thaw your chicken, it's a great option to have on hand.

Do and don'ts of air fryer?

The do's and don'ts of air frying
  • ✓ Do ditch your microwave.
  • ✗ Don't bother preheating.
  • ✓ Do shake the basket once or twice during cooking.
  • ✗ Don't block airflow.
  • ✓ Do keep an eye on your food while it cooks.
  • ✗ Don't use batter—stick to breading.
  • ✗ Don't douse your food in oil.
  • ✓ Do use it to bake and roast.

Can you use Pam spray in an air fryer?

The spray can be applied directly to an air fryer's wire tray or basket. Made with no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors, PAM Air Fryer Spray can also be applied directly to uncooked food to promote browning and crisping of your wings, tenders, fries and more.

What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer?

A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.

Why should you not cook chicken in an air fryer?

Entire chickens (with one exception)

As a result, you'll likely end up with a chicken that's dry, has burnt bits and is unevenly cooked. There is a solution, though. There are air fryer models that come with a rotisserie function. This will give you more than enough room to roast a delicious, juicy chicken.

What is the secret to crispy food in an air fryer?

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer). Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket.

Does chicken need to be flipped in an airfryer?

Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes. Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.

How many minutes for a chicken to cook through in an air fryer?

Place chicken in the basket of the air fryer breast side down; cook, undisturbed, for 45 minutes. Carefully flip the chicken over using tongs; cook until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 20 minutes. Remove chicken to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes.

Should I add oil to chicken in air fryer?

While your Philips Airfryer does not require oil to cook and fry the food, adding oil directly to fresh ingredients when preparing them, such as freshly peeled potatoes or chicken, can create a crispy layer and improve the overall taste of your dish.

Is it better to air fry or bake chicken in the air fryer?

Air frying uses rapid hot air circulation and minimal oil to cook food, creating a crispy exterior. Baking cooks food by using still, hot air. Air frying is ideal for creating recipes like French fries, crispy vegetable side dishes or fried chicken, while baking better suits recipes like cakes and bread.

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