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Easy Crispy Air Fryer Batch Cooking 20 Portions Perfect Recipe

Easy Crispy Air Fryer Batch Cooking - featured image

A quick and easy air fryer recipe designed to make crispy, flavorful chicken for large groups, perfect for batch cooking and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g) or gluten-free flour
  • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (150 g), preferably panko
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g), optional
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt, adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces thoroughly. Cut into uniform, bite-sized chunks (about 1 ½ inches).
  2. Set up dredging stations: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Coat chicken pieces lightly in flour, shake off excess, dip in beaten eggs, then press into breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Set aside on a plate or tray.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray or brush air fryer basket with olive oil. Place chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding.
  6. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 5-6 minutes), until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Transfer cooked chicken to a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  8. Repeat cooking in batches until all chicken is cooked.
  9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Pat chicken dry before coating. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Keep cooked batches warm on a cooling rack to avoid sogginess. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispiness. Variations include adding cayenne for spice, using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, or substituting chicken with tofu or cauliflower for a vegetarian option.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, crispy chicken, batch cooking, party food, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, chicken thighs, panko, quick dinner