Much healthier, but with that irresistible “fried” taste and texture, this air fryer popcorn chicken was described by recipe testers as “super addicting!” Dredging the chicken bits in finely-crushed cornflakes add a nice crunch, plus they brown better in the air fryer than if you were to use flour. Don’t skip the powdered sugar, as it also helps brown the popcorn chicken pieces (and also balance the dried spices).
Hot tip: Sprinkling the chicken with salt after cooking is a great healthy cooking tip to amplify the flavor of salt while dialing back the total sodium count. Plus, it’s common to salt food after frying it. Don’t forget your dipping sauce—ketchup, BBQ sauce, even Chick-fil-A sauce.
How to Make It
Step 1
Stir together cornstarch, powdered sugar, paprika, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dredge in cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess. Dip chicken in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Toss chicken in cornflakes to coat.
Step 2
Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place half of the chicken in single layer in the basket and spray with cooking spray. Cook at 400°F until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes, turning chicken halfway through cook time. Remove chicken from fryer basket and sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces and salt.
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Do you love popcorn chicken as much as I do? For this recipe all you need to do is put frozen popcorn chicken in your air fryer and it will turn out perfectly golden brown and crispy!
Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Chicken
If you want an amazingly fast and easy recipe to make for dinner tonight, you should try frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer! Not only are they cooked to golden and crispy perfection, but they are so simple to make as well.
For this recipe I used the Kirkwood brand of popcorn chicken, but you can use any brand that you like!
Use your air fryer to cook frozen popcorn chicken to perfection by following the instructions below.
How to Cook Frozen Popcorn Chicken in the Air Fryer
I like to keep a bag of these popcorn chicken in the freezer so I have it on hand when I’m in the mood or just need a quick snack for some hungry kids!
All you need to make this recipe is your air fryer, non-stick cooking oil spray, and the frozen popcorn chicken!
The first step is to spray the air fryer basket with the non-stick cooking spray or brush it lightly with some vegetable or olive oil. This helps prevent the food from sticking to the basket.
Next pour in some of the frozen popcorn chicken. Make sure it is in a single layer and not on top of each other.
Then set the temperature to 400F for 8 minutes cook time.
After 4 minutes, take the basket out and shake it well to toss the popcorn chicken. This helps promote even browning on all sides.
Then return the basket to the air fryer and let it finish cooking.
When done, remove the popcorn chicken and enjoy warm!
Cooking Tips
- Let the chicken cool down slightly before serving to children.
- For this recipe, you don’t need to worry about defrosting. Just put the chicken in the air fryer right from frozen.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Popcorn
You can serve this delicious chicken bites on their own as a snack, or alongside some other sides for a more filling meal!
They are also great dipped in some ketchup or BBQ sauce!
Here are some ideas for what to serve with these popcorn chicken:
- Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli
- Rainbow Vegetables Recipe – Easy Healthy Oven Roasted Veggies!
- Instant Pot Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
- Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Power Bites
You can serve some appetizers for a crowd or just enjoy for dinner as a family meal! Either way, adults and kids alike will love these popcorn chicken bites!
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked this recipe, you should try these other frozen air fryer recipes as well. These are some of my favorite go-to meals for fast and easy meals for my family!
- Frozen Air Fryer Potstickers
- Air Fryer Frozen Burrito
- Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp
- Roasted Sugar Snap Peas in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Corn Dogs
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Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Chicken
Do you love popcorn chicken as much as I do? For this recipe all you need to do is put frozen popcorn chicken in your air fryer and it will turn out perfectly golden brown and crispy!
Cook Time8 mins
Total Time8 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breaded chicken, chicken
Cooking Method: Air Fryer
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 210kcal
- 1 Package frozen Popcorn Chicken
First lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.
Then pour the chicken into the basket and make sure they are in a single layer.
Then set the temperature to 400F for 8 minutes.
After 4 minutes of cooking, remove the basket and shake to toss the popcorn chicken.
Replace basket in the air fryer and let it finish cooking.
When done, serve warm and enjoy!
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Serving: 8pieces | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
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See also:
- Frozen Chicken Nuggets In The Air Fryer
- Frozen Chicken Wings In The Air Fryer
- Frozen Chicken Fried Steak In The Air Fryer