Crunchy Keto Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe: Guilt-Free Crispy Perfection!

Craving the satisfying crunch of fried chicken but trying to stick to a low-carb lifestyle? Look no further! This keto air fryer fried chicken recipe delivers all the flavor and texture you love, without the guilt. By using an air fryer, you can achieve that crispy exterior and juicy interior with minimal oil, making it a healthier and easier alternative to traditional frying.

Why Air Fryer Fried Chicken is a Game Changer

The air fryer has become a staple in many kitchens, and for good reason. This handy appliance circulates hot air around food, creating a crispy exterior and juicy interior similar to deep frying, but with significantly less oil. It’s also incredibly convenient and easy to clean, making it a weeknight dinner hero. For those following a ketogenic diet, the air fryer opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to enjoy traditionally off-limits foods like fried chicken in a healthier, low-carb way.

Key Ingredients for Keto Air Fryer Fried Chicken

The secret to delicious keto fried chicken lies in the right combination of ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

Chicken: Chicken thighs are often recommended for their higher fat content, which contributes to a juicier and more flavorful result. However, chicken breasts, drumsticks, or wings can also be used, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are preferred, but skinless options can be used.
Almond Flour: This is the foundation of the keto-friendly breading. Finely ground, blanched almond flour, like Blue Diamond, works best, providing a crispy texture without the carbs of traditional flour.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory flavor to the breading and enhances its crispiness. The shelf-stable Parmesan cheese found in the green can works perfectly.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping the almond flour mixture adhere to the chicken.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Heavy cream adds richness and moisture to the egg mixture, creating a better coating for the chicken. Half-and-half or buttermilk can be used as substitutes.
Seasoning: The seasoning blend is where you can get creative! Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper are all great options. Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning, particularly the White Pepper Blend, is a popular choice for a flavorful kick.
Cooking Spray: Cooking spray is essential for achieving that golden, crispy texture. It helps the breading adhere to the chicken and prevents it from drying out in the air fryer. Avocado oil spray is a good option.
Dill Pickle Juice: Using dill pickle juice to brine the chicken adds a unique flavor and helps tenderize the meat. Bubbies brand is recommended, as it is full of probiotics and found in the refrigerator section.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crispy Keto Chicken

Making keto air fryer fried chicken is surprisingly simple. Here's a detailed guide:

Prepare the Chicken: Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. If desired, pound the chicken to a uniform thickness of about ½ inch using a meat mallet. This helps ensure even cooking. Place the chicken in a bowl or zip-top bag and pour dill pickle juice over it. Allow to brine in the refrigerator for up to two hours (optional).
Set up the Breading Station: Set up your station first! Line up a plate and two bowls. Place the chicken on the plate, mix the egg wash in one bowl, and the seasoned flour in the other. Pat the chicken dry before dipping. In a shallow dish, combine almond flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. In a separate shallow dish, beat eggs.
Bread the Chicken: Drain chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Coat with eggs and then dregs in the almond flour mixture. Use your fingers to gently press the coating into the chicken. For crispier chicken, place on a plate and return chicken to refrigerator for at least one hour. This step is optional, but highly recommended if you have the time.
Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to work in batches. Spray both sides of the chicken with oil. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes. Carefully flip with a spatula. Re-spray and cook an additional 6 to 7 minutes, until golden and crispy and the internal temperature is at least 160° F.
Check for Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve: Once cooked through, carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.

Alternative Method:

Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, place chicken thighs and rub generously with sesoning of choice.
Prepare the Breading: In a separate bowl, mix together almond flour, parmesan cheese and seasoning of choice. In a third bowl, mix together eggs and cream.
Bread the Chicken: Dip chicken thighs, one at a time, in egg and cream mixture before immediately covering them with almond flour "breading" mixture.
Refrigerate (Optional): For crispier chicken, place on a plate and return chicken to refrigerator for at least one hour. This step is optional, but highly recommended if you have the time.
Air Fry the Chicken: Spray breaded chicken thighs with cooking spray of choice before placing in air fryer basket. Work in batches as necessary. Set air fryer temperature to 350°F and set timer for 20 minutes. Chicken will be done when the breading is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
Cool and Serve: Carefully remove chicken from air fryer basket and allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Keto Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Overcrowding the basket will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and achieving maximum crispiness. Work in batches, if necessary.
Use Cooking Spray Generously: Cooking spray is key to achieving a golden, crispy exterior. Be sure to spray both sides of the chicken before air frying.
Check the Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Let the Chicken Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful product.
Experiment with Seasonings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasoning blends to find your favorite flavor combination.
Consider a Brine: Brining the chicken in pickle juice or a salt water solution before breading can help to tenderize the meat and add flavor.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: The chicken can be coated ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to one day. You may also coat and freeze the chicken breast. To do this, place the coated chicken breast on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag.
Storage: Leftover keto fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Line the container with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
Reheating: To reheat, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Set up your station first! Line up a plate and two bowls. Place the chicken on the plate, mix the egg wash in one bowl, and the seasoned flour in the other. Pat the chicken dry before dipping. The best way to reheat air fryer fried chicken is in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Keto air fryer fried chicken is delicious on its own, but it's even better with the right sides and sauces. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Dipping Sauces: Chipotle BBQ sauce is a great choice.
Low-Carb Sides: Cauliflower mash, zucchini noodles, or a simple green salad are all excellent low-carb options.
Keto Chicken Sandwich: Use this chicken as the base for an amazing keto chicken sandwich.

Variations and Substitutions

Chicken Pieces: Feel free to use any combination of chicken pieces you like, such as thighs, drumsticks, breasts, or wings. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Seasonings: Experiment with different seasoning blends to suit your taste.
Dairy-Free: Use almond milk in place of heavy cream. If you do so, I recommend adding a beaten egg to the marinade for thickness.
Cheese: Add a little Parmesan cheese to give the chicken an entirely different flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic is not recommended for this recipe. Use garlic powder instead.
Skipping the Cooking Spray: Cooking spray is essential for achieving a crispy exterior.
Overcrowding the Air Fryer: Overcrowding the basket will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Not Checking the Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature.

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