This simple Air Fryer Popcorn Hen recipe is kid-friendly, lighter and more healthy than your typical fast-food model!
Air Fryer Popcorn Hen
Popcorn hen is a enjoyable, snackable option to get your protein repair (30 grams per serving!). Initially developed in Taiwan within the 70s after which launched within the US at Kentucky Fried Hen within the 90s, popcorn hen is small bites of crunchy hen you may eat like popcorn. It’s historically deep fried and scrumptious however clearly, not the healthiest choice on the menu. Making this from scratch is straightforward and one other wholesome option to get pleasure from air fryer hen breast. Extra of my favourite air fryer recipes are these air fryer hen nuggets, air fryer hen tenders, and air fryer hen sandwiches.
Wholesome Air Fryer Popcorn Hen
I cherished the concept of creating popcorn hen more healthy with a lot much less oil and processed components within the air fryer. After testing a number of batches, I discovered the breading wouldn’t brown within the quick time that it took the hen to cook dinner (5 minutes), so I needed to get inventive.
The answer: Toasting the panko crumbs in just a little oil earlier than breading the hen. It provides about 5 minutes to your prep time however eliminates the often- messy process of spritzing oil on every bit earlier than air frying. The result’s juicy little bites of guiltless, crispy hen.
What’s popcorn hen product of?
You’ll must arrange a dredging station with the popcorn hen components:
- Flour: Put all-purpose flour and salt on a big plate.
- Egg: Whisk one egg with a teaspoon of water in a bowl.
- Seasoned Panko: Toast the panko in olive oil after which combine it with garlic powder, onion, powder, oregano, cayenne (if utilizing), and black pepper on a big plate.
- Hen: Minimize a pound of boneless, skinless hen breasts into bite-size items – concerning the measurement of a cube – and season with salt and pepper.
How lengthy do you set popcorn hen within the air fryer?
Since popcorn hen is so little, it cooks quick.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray the basket with olive oil and place about 30 items within the basket, leaving area between every.
- Prepare dinner the hen for 5 minutes, shaking the basket midway by way of.
Methods to Freeze Popcorn Hen
This popcorn hen is straightforward to freeze and excellent to drag out whenever you want a fast snack, appetizer, or lunch.
For greatest outcomes, freeze Popcorn Hen UNCOOKED.
- Place hen items in a good layer (not stacked high of one another) in a freezer protected container lined with parchment, including a brand new piece of parchment to every layer.
- When able to cook dinner, warmth the air fryer to 400 levels F. Spray the basket with oil then add 30 items, in a good layer. Prepare dinner for 8 minutes, shaking the basket midway by way of cook dinner time.
To freeze and reheat after cooked:
- Let the hen cool utterly after it’s cooked, after which flash freeze on a baking tray.
- As soon as frozen, switch the hen to a freezer-safe bag or container and retailer for as much as 3 months.
- To reheat, warmth the air fryer to 350 levels F. Spray the basket with oil and cook dinner 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket midway by way of cook dinner time.
Your feedback are useful! In the event you’ve tried this popcorn hen recipe or every other recipe on Skinnytaste, don’t overlook to fee the recipe and go away me a remark under. I might love to listen to your ideas, variations, and suggestions. And if you happen to took a photograph of what you cooked, share it with me on Instagram so I can reshare it on my tales.
Extra Fried Hen Recipes You’ll Love:
Air Fryer Popcorn Hen
5
This simple Air Fryer Popcorn Hen recipe is kid-friendly, lighter and more healthy than your typical fast-food model!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cup panko breadcrumbs*
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 pound boneless, skinless hen breasts
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 massive egg
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, non-obligatory
- Freshly floor black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- Ketchup, Low Fats Ranch Dressing, BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard, Marinara, Non-compulsory, for dipping
-
Add oil to a medium skillet over medium low warmth. Add the panko and ½ teaspoon salt.
-
Toast panko for about 4 minutes or till simply golden, stirring each 30 seconds to evenly brown. Switch crumbs to a plate.
-
Minimize hen into ¾-inch cubes (concerning the measurement of a small cube), season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, to style, then arrange your dredging station. You must have about 60 cubes.
To arrange dredging station:
-
Place flour and ¼ teaspoon salt on a big plate.
-
Place egg in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon water and beat till uniform.
-
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cayenne (if utilizing) and black pepper, to style, to the toasted panko and place the plate on the opposite aspect of the egg bowl.
-
Working with about 15 items at a time, dredge in flour, evenly coating all sides.
-
Then, egg, permitting extra to drip off (I like to make use of tongs and wipe the surplus off on the aspect of the bowl). Subsequent add the items to the panko combination and coat all sides evenly, urgent crumbs to verify they adhere evenly. Repeat with remaining items.
-
Preheat air fryer to 400 levels F. Spray the basket with olive oil.
-
Add about 30 items to the air fryer basket, ensuring to go away area between every bit so that they get crispy. Spray the highest with oil.
-
Prepare dinner for five minutes, shaking the basket midway by way of cook dinner time. Serve instantly.
For greatest outcomes, freeze Popcorn Hen UNCOOKED.
1. Place hen items in a good layer (not stacked high of one another) in a freezer protected container lined with parchment, including a brand new piece of parchment to every layer.
2. When able to cook dinner, warmth the air fryer to 400 levels F. Spray the basket with oil then add 30 items, in a good layer. Prepare dinner for 8 minutes, shaking the basket midway by way of cook dinner time.
Serving: 15 items, Energy: 283kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 30g, Fats: 8g, Saturated Fats: 1.5g, Ldl cholesterol: 129mg, Sodium: 385mg, Fiber: 1.5g, Sugar: 2g
Key phrases: Air Fryer Hen, air fryer hen breast, airfryer popcorn hen, popcorn hen
