If you’ve been craving crispy fried chicken but want to stick to a strict lifestyle, this keto fried chicken made in the air fryer is the perfect solution. The air fryer makes the chicken wonderfully crispy without deep frying in heavy oils, making it super easy. You’ll love how the chicken comes out juicy inside, with a crunchy, golden crust on the outside. And all this without compromising on flavor.
One evening, after a long day of work and chasing after my kids, I was craving fried chicken. But the thought of deep-frying and dealing with the mess just felt overwhelming. That’s when I decided to try my air fryer to make keto fried chicken, and everyone in the house loved it.
Popular Recipe You Can Make at Home
This recipe is one of those crowd-pleasers that everyone will enjoy. Especially when you are craving a tasty fried chicken dinner. It’s simple to make, uses everyday ingredients like almond flour for the coating, and the air fryer does most of the work. Even if it’s for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this dish will surely become a favorite.
The Use of Almond Flour to Make Chicken Fry
Almond flour is the secret ingredient that gives this keto fried chicken its perfect crispy coating. Unlike regular flour, almond flour provides a nutty, crunchy texture that holds up beautifully in the air fryer. It’s a great alternative to traditional breading and makes crispy fried chicken without the carbs.
Serving Crispy Chicken
It’s time to serve once your keto friendly fried chicken is crispy and golden. Pair it with a side of cauliflower rice, a fresh potato mayo salad, or you can learn how to roast vegetables for a complete meal. The best part is that this air fryer fried chicken tastes just as great as the deep-fried version, just with less mess.
How To Make Fried Chicken that is Air Fried
Make crispy, golden, low-carb fried chicken in the air fryer with just a few simple ingredients with no deep frying needed. This easy recipe uses a flavorful low-carb coating for a crunchy texture without the extra carbs.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
- Air Fryer: The key gadget for making crispy fried chicken without all the oil.
- Dish Plate: This is where you can put the egg and dry coating mixture. A shallow bowl can also be used.
- Whisk: Beat the eggs, which helps the coating stick to the chicken for that crispy texture.
Ingredients Needed:
- Chicken Leg Quarters: Opt for fresh chicken pieces and skin-on leg quarters for the best crispy result.
- Eggs: These are used for the wet coating to make sure the breadcrumb mixture sticks.
- Breadcrumbs: Depending on your dietary preferences, you can use a low-carb breadcrumbs or traditional.
- Almond Flour: A low-carb alternative to regular flour, giving the chicken a crunchy and nutty coating.
- EVO Oil: This is for lightly spraying the chicken before cooking it in the air fryer to improve its crispiness.
- Granulated Garlic: Adds flavor without being overpowering.
- Onion Powder: For a savory kick that complements the chicken.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky, savory flavor to the chicken with a rich color.
- Salt: To season the chicken perfectly.
- Black Pepper: Adds heat and depth to balance the other seasonings.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE KETO FRIED CHICKEN IN AN AIR FRYER
First Step: Set Up Needed Ingredients
Gather all your ingredients in one place, including chicken leg quarters, eggs, almond flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. This makes the process smoother and ensures you don’t miss anything while preparing. Make sure your air fryer is preheated to 430 Fahrenheit (220 Celsius).
Second Step: Prepare the Coatings
In a dish, whisk together the eggs for the wet coating. Combine the breadcrumbs, almond flour, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in another dish. This step ensures each coating is ready for a smooth and easy dipping process.
Third Step: Drench Chicken with Wet and Dry Coating
Dip the chicken leg quarters into the beaten eggs, making sure they are fully coated. Then, coat the chicken in the dry breadcrumbs and almond flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks. Repeat for each piece of chicken, providing an even coating all around.
Fourth Step: Spray the Air Fryer with Oil
Spray a light coat of EVO oil inside the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and to help the chicken crisp up. Be sure not to over-spray, as too much oil can result in a greasy coating. The goal is a crisp, golden exterior.
Fifth Step: Air Fry Chicken
Place the coated chicken leg quarters into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to 430 Fahrenheit (220 Celsius) and cook the chicken for 15 minutes to crispy and golden brown. Flip the chicken halfway through and add 10 minutes more for even cooking on all sides.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Don’t Skip the Oil Spray: Lightly spraying the air fryer basket and the chicken with EVO oil is essential to achieve a crispy, golden finish without fat overload.
- Try Different Seasonings: If you want to switch up the flavor, experiment with different seasonings, such as cayenne pepper for a kick or Italian seasoning for a savory twist.
- Batch Cooking: When preparing multiple pieces, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This secures even cooking and better crispiness.
- Flavor: You can add a little heavy cream and parmesan cheese for added depth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Substitute For Breading
If you’re out of almond flour, you can use crushed pork rinds or coconut flour as alternatives to keep it low-carb. Please note that these adjustments will slightly alter the texture and flavor.
What To Serve With Fried Chicken Keto Recipe?
Keto-friendly sides that pair well with fried chicken include broccoli salad, cauliflower mash, or a side salad with avocado egg. You can also serve it with dill pickle dip, tomato cucumber salad, or sautéed kale for a more filling meal.
To store your keto fried chicken, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Can I Freeze Fried Chicken?
Once the chicken is cooked and has cooled completely, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
More Tasty Ideas for You
Looking for more inspiration to spice up your keto kitchen? The flavor of buffalo ranch sauce is mixed with chicken and topped with shredded cheese, which is perfect for chicken lovers with our buffalo chicken dip.
The cranberry fruit leather recipe is delightful and easy to make at home. We also have stuffed cabbage rolls filled with ground beef mixture and poured over with tomato sauce, which can be your next go-to dinner.
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Keto Fried Chicken in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 Pieces Chicken Leg Quarters
- 2 Pieces Eggs
- 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 Cup Almond Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil – spray
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic
- 1/2 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Video
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients in one place, including chicken leg quarters, eggs, almond flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. This makes the process smoother and ensures you don’t miss anything while preparing. Make sure your air fryer is preheated to 430 Fahrenheit (220 Celsius).
- In a dish, whisk together the eggs for the wet coating. Combine the breadcrumbs, almond flour, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in another dish. This step ensures each coating is ready for a smooth and easy dipping process.
- Dip the chicken leg quarters into the beaten eggs, making sure they are fully coated. Then, coat the chicken in the dry breadcrumbs and almond flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks. Repeat for each piece of chicken, providing an even coating all around.
- Spray a light coat of EVO oil inside the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and to help the chicken crisp up. Be sure not to over-spray, as too much oil can result in a greasy coating. The goal is a crisp, golden exterior.
- Place the coated chicken leg quarters into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to 430 Fahrenheit (220 Celsius) and cook the chicken for 15 minutes to crispy and golden brown. Flip the chicken halfway through and add 10 minutes more for even cooking on all sides.
Notes
- Don’t Skip the Oil Spray: Lightly spraying the air fryer basket and the chicken with EVO oil is essential to achieve a crispy, golden finish without fat overload.
- Try Different Seasonings: If you want to switch up the flavor, experiment with different seasonings, such as cayenne pepper for a kick or Italian seasoning for a savory twist.
- Batch Cooking: When preparing multiple pieces, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. This secures even cooking and better crispiness.
- Flavor: You can add a little heavy cream and parmesan cheese for added depth.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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