When it comes to snacks, are you team sweet or savory? Whenever I’m watching a movie with my husband, I always crave something crunchy and savory! If you’re like me, these chicken fries in air fryer are perfect for you!

What are chicken fries?

Chicken fries are a heavenly snack that combines the goodness of 2 ultimate comfort foods – fried chicken and french fries!

Basically, chicken fries are long strips of chicken that resemble french fries that are coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried to golden brown perfection.

You can enjoy them like you do french fries, with your favorite condiment on the side.

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Why make homemade chicken fries in air fryer?

You can buy frozen chicken fries in the supermarket, but making your own is so much better!

Here’s why you should opt for homemade chicken fries:

• It’s healthier. When you make your own chicken fries, you can control the amount of salt and oil that goes into it. Plus, with an air fryer, you can make this snack with minimal oil.

• It’s cheaper. Premade frozen foods tend to be more expensive than if you made them from scratch at home. With a few humble and budget-friendly ingredients, you can whip up your own chicken fries without breaking the bank.

• It’s super easy. These chicken fries are easy to make, and they come together in under 20 minutes.

• It’s tastier. When you make your own chicken fries at home, you can jazz it up and make it more interesting! For example, in this recipe, I use crushed lentil chips and chili powder in addition to the usual breadcrumbs to coat my chicken fries. This creates a really nice flavor profile that you usually don’t get with store-bought frozen chicken fries!

Plus, it’s the perfect movie night or game day snack!

Ingredients for air fryer chicken fries

You can whip up these chicken fries with just a few ingredients, namely:

• Chicken. I use chicken fillets for this recipe, that I cut into long strips that resemble french fries.

• Breadcrumbs. This is used to coat the chicken fingers and give them a nice crunch.

• Lentil chips. I use this along with breadcrumbs to coat the chicken. I buy lentil chips (or mini papadams) at the supermarket, and they’re really yummy! They’re super crunchy, and they have a wonderful earthy flavor. I put a few chips into a zip lock bag, and using a rolling pin, I crush them before combining with breadcrumbs. Don’t crush them into powder, you want some texture. Instead of lentil chips, you can also use your favorite potato chips. If the chips of your choice are salty, go easy when seasoning your chicken!

• Chili powder. This gives the chicken fingers some heat and a wonderful color.

• Egg. This is what we’ll be using as a binding agent or glue to ensure that the breadcrumb + lentil chip coating adheres well to the chicken strips.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

How to make chicken fries in air fryer?

Chicken fries are usually deep-fried, but using an air fryer makes them a healthier snack option!

Here’s how to make them:

• Cut your chicken fillets into long, fry-like strips. Try to make sure that the strips are more or less equal in size, so they cook evenly. Season the strips with salt and pepper.

• In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, finely crushed lentil chips (or mini papadams), chili powder, and salt. You’ll be using this mixture to coat your chicken fries.

• In a separate bowl, crack an egg and beat it.

• Preheat the air fryer to 190°C/374°F for 5 minutes. Don’t skip this step! Just like an oven, you should always preheat your air fryer before using.

• Dip your chicken strips in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure that each strip is well coated.

• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Put the chicken strips in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and golden brown.

• Serve hot with ketchup or chili sauce on the side.

This recipe makes around 8-10 chicken fingers, depending on the size of your chicken fillets, which is perfect for a light snack for my husband and me.

When I’m especially hungry, I can definitely eat the whole thing myself, so double or triple the recipe as needed to feed your loved ones!

How long should you cook chicken fries in an air fryer?

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken fries and your air fryer model.

Thin strips of chicken typically take 6-8 minutes in an air fryer, until cooked through and golden brown.

How to make crispy air fryer chicken fries?

Here’s my tip for crispy chicken fries. Once you put the chicken strips into the air fryer, spray the top with cooking spray. Do the same when you flip the strips halfway through.

Be sure to try this when you’re making air fryer chicken fries. This results in a super crispy and yummy snack!

How to serve chicken fries?

These chicken fries are great as is, with your favorite condiment on the side.

I just need these fries, some chili sauce, and a good ol’ horror movie, and I’m all set for movie night with the hubby!

You can also serve these chicken fries along with chips and vegetables, and a yummy dip on the side for game day with your friends.

Alternatively, you can even use these chicken fries in a wrap or sandwich.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a savory snack option for game day, this is definitely a must-try! It’s light, delicious, and super easy to make.

Remember to double or triple the recipe as necessary. Enjoy!