KFC-style hen bites, however made in your air fryer! We’ve bought juicy little chunks of hen breast coated in that crispy golden seasoned coating that packs an actual flavour punch. An excellent weeknight dinner that the children will love!
Nicky’s Recipe Notes
I used to be so blissful once I lastly bought the coating proper for this popcorn hen!
I feel it’s actually vital to get the sort of coating proper for the sort of recipe you’re making. Which is why you’ll see I exploit totally different coatings for various air fryer hen recipes.
✔️ Hen karaage makes use of potato starch for loads of crunch.
✔️ Candy and bitter hen makes use of a seasoned cornflour combination for simplicity (as a result of we’re additionally cooking greens and a sauce) and a light-weight tasty coating.
✔️ Hen wings use a light-weight dusting of seasoned baking powder to boost the crispness of the hen pores and skin.
✔️ This popcorn hen makes use of cornflour to seal within the juiciness of the hen and add crispness, PLUS egg and seasoned flour for that thicker flavourful coating.
Sure, that does imply we’ve a pair extra steps for popcorn hen, however the coating is the rationale all of us love popcorn hen, so it needs to be excellent!
📋 Elements
Hen + buttermilk marinade
- I typically use hen thighs within the air fryer, however popcorn hen from quick meals eating places use hen breast – in order that’s what I’m utilizing.
- As a result of we need to hold the hen items good and juicy, we marinate it in buttermilk, plus a couple of seasonings earlier than coating.
Coating
- Cornflour (cornstarch in USA) to seal within the juiciness of the hen and add crispness. It additionally provides the hen items a dry, even base, so the egg will adhere.
- Egg – to behave as a glue and assist the flour adhere
- Seasoned flour – for that golden flavourful exterior and excellent texture
Abbreviated Directions
***Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card on the finish of this submit***
Marinate the hen items in seasoned buttermilk for half an hour, then dredge in cornflour, adopted by egg, adopted be seasoned flour. Air fry in a preheated air fryer basket with a great squirt of oil at 200C/400F for 15-20 minutes, shaking as soon as.
Professional Tip
Preheat your air fryer basket and spray it with oil earlier than including the hen. This can make sure the hen doesn’t stick and can lead to a crispier coating.
Serve it up with ketchup for dipping 🍅
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Add the hen to a bowl.
500 g (1lb) skinless hen breasts
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Add the buttermilk, salt, white pepper and garlic salt. Give it a great combine collectively and let it marinade for 30-60 minutes (you may get away with 10 minutes when you’re in an actual rush).
80 ml (1/3 cup) buttermilk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic salt
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Preheat your air fryer basket(s) to 200C/400F.
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Take three bowls, to the primary add the cornflour. Break an egg into the second bowl and evenly whisk with a fork. To the third bowl add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt, celery salt, paprika and thyme and blend collectively.
100 g (2/3 cup) cornflour, 1 giant egg, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp celery salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 120 g (1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
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Spray the preheated air fryer basket(s) with spray oil.
spray oil
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Toss a chunk of hen within the cornflour, then dip within the egg (you need to totally coat it so the ultimate layer sticks), then dredge within the seasoned flour combination.
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Add the hen in to the air fryer basket. Repeat with the remainder of the hen, including to the basket in a single layer (you might must work in two batches). Attempt to depart a little bit house round each bit for air circulation.
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Spray liberally with spray oil and prepare dinner for 15-20 minutes at 200C/400F till golden and crispy. Flip the hen (or shake the basket) twice throughout cooking and spray on a little bit extra oil every time.
spray oil
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Serve along with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ketchup, BBQ sauce, Burger Sauce or Candy Chilli Sauce
I desire popcorn hen contemporary out of the air fryer, however you may make it forward to reheat.
Prepare dinner, then cool, cowl and refrigerate for as much as a day. Reheat them within the air fryer for about 5-6 minutes at 200C/400F till they’re good and crisp once more.
Dietary info is approximate, per serving (this recipe serves 4)
Energy: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 32g | Fats: 8g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Trans Fats: 0.02g | Ldl cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 1352mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
🍽️ What to serve it with
Take a look at these little golden nuggets of pleasure!
? Steadily Requested Questions
I desire popcorn hen contemporary out of the air fryer, however you may make it forward or save leftovers to reheat.
Prepare dinner, then cool, cowl and refrigerate for as much as a day. Reheat them within the air fryer for about 5-6 minutes at 200C/400F till they’re good and crisp once more.
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