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A plate of golden-brown Air Fryer Chicken Fritters is served next to a small black bowl of dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Chicken Fritters

Author: Mandy Applegate
I love making Air Fryer Chicken Fritters because they take cooked chicken and turn it into something genuinely craveable with very little effort. Each fritter is golden on the outside with a tender, well-seasoned inside of garlic, thyme, Dijon, and fresh parsley, and the air fryer gets them crispy and done quickly without any of the mess of deep frying. They're my go-to for weeknight dinners, game day snacking, and casual parties when I want something easy to pass around with a dipping sauce. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to bring back that golden crust.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Course: Air Fryer, Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Chicken Fritters
Servings: 4
Calories: 304kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast finely chopped
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sweet and sour sauce
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
    ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon thyme
  • In a separate bowl, mix the beaten egg with milk, Dijon mustard, and fresh parsley.
    1 large egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the chopped cooked chicken, making sure everything is evenly coated.
    1 pound cooked chicken breast
  • Lightly brush or spray a piece of parchment paper with vegetable oil and place it in the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
    Vegetable oil
  • Drop spoonfuls of the chicken mixture onto the lined basket, spacing them out slightly.
  • Air fry at 400ºF (200°C) for 7 minutes, then flip each fritter and cook for another 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Serve hot with your favorite sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
    Sweet and sour sauce

Notes

Here are my top tips for getting the best results with Air Fryer Chicken Fritters every time.
  • Use cooked chicken: Pre-cooked chicken breast works best here since it's already tender. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds extra savory flavor without any extra prep.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Stir just until the wet and dry ingredients come together. Overmixing the flour develops the gluten and can make the fritters tough rather than tender.
  • Use perforated parchment: Placing oiled perforated parchment in the basket keeps the fritters from sticking while still allowing air to circulate beneath for an even golden crust.
  • Space them out: Drop the fritters with enough room between them so hot air can circulate freely. Crowding the basket causes steaming rather than crisping.
  • Flip at the halfway mark: Flipping after the first 7 minutes gives both sides equal exposure to the hot air, resulting in an evenly golden, crispy exterior all the way around.
  • Freeze individually first: Flash freeze cooked fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring them to a freezer bag so they don't clump together.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 373mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 2mg
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