Using Shake N Bake in an air fryer is absolutely possible! Shake N Bake, the popular seasoned breading mix, can be used to coat foods before air frying to give them a crispy, golden browned exterior. Air frying is a great way to cook Shake N Bake coated foods like chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, and more with less oil than traditional frying methods.
What is Shake N Bake?
Shake N Bake is a seasoned breading mix that is made by Kraft Foods. It originated in the 1960s and became popular for its ease of use – all you have to do is put raw meat, fish or poultry in a bag with the Shake N Bake mix, seal the bag and shake it to coat the food. The Shake N Bake coating contains breadcrumbs as well as seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder and paprika. This gives foods a crunchy exterior with lots of flavor when baked or fried.
Key Features of Shake N Bake
- Breading mix contains seasoned breadcrumbs
- Coats foods evenly when shaken in a bag
- Adds crunch and flavor when baked or fried
- Quick and easy way to prepare foods
- Comes in original and extra crispy varieties
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop appliance that uses hot air and convection to cook foods. It works by circulating very hot air, typically around 400°F, around food to produce a crispy exterior through what is called the “Maillard reaction.” This reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars is what gives browned foods their desirable flavor and color.
Air fryers cook food much faster than a traditional oven, usually in 10-15 minutes. They also use up to 80% less oil than deep frying since the food isn’t submerged in oil. This makes it a healthier cooking method. Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods, leftovers, and types of food normally fried such as french fries, chicken wings, dumplings and more.
Key Features of Air Fryers
- Uses hot air and convection to cook food
- Requires little to no oil for crisping and browning
- Cooks food quickly, in 10-15 minutes usually
- Makes food crispy with less fat than deep frying
- Countertop appliance with small footprint
Why Use Shake N Bake in an Air Fryer?
Using Shake N Bake breading in the air fryer gives you the best of both worlds – the signature crunch and flavoring of Shake N Bake combined with the quick cooking and lower-oil benefits of the air fryer. There are a few key reasons why the two pair well together:
- Crunch and texture – The Shake N Bake coating gives foods a crispy, crunchy exterior texture without the need for deep frying in lots of oil.
- Flavor – Shake N Bake provides tons of seasoning and flavor that compliments everything from chicken to pork chops to fish fillets.
- Browning – The hot air circulating in the air fryer helps to perfectly brown Shake N Bake coatings.
- Faster cooking – The high heat of the air fryer cooks coated foods much more quickly than baking.
- Convenience – It’s easy to coat foods in Shake N Bake and then simply transfer to the air fryer basket.
The Shake N Bake and air fryer combo means you can enjoy all the same flavors and textures as traditionally fried foods without all the extra calories from oil. It’s a quick and convenient way to cook too!
How to Use Shake N Bake in an Air Fryer
Using Shake N Bake in the air fryer is simple. Just follow these easy steps:
- Pat protein of choice dry with paper towels. Meat like chicken breast or pork chops work great.
- Place 2-3 pieces of protein in a sealable plastic bag.
- Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of Shake N Bake mix to the bag and seal it closed.
- Gently shake the bag to evenly coat the protein in the breading.
- Remove protein from the bag and lightly tap off any excess coating.
- Mist or brush pieces with a little oil if desired. This helps them get extra crispy.
- Place coated protein in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until evenly browned and crispy.
- Let rest 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Be sure to consult the air fryer manual for exact timing based on the model. Thinner proteins like chicken breast may cook faster than thicker pork chops. Checking for doneness and adjusting cook times is recommended.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some top tips for getting perfect crispy Shake N Bake results in the air fryer:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pork chops, fish fillets or chicken drumsticks.
- Pat protein pieces very dry before coating for best adherence.
- Use a sealable bag to evenly coat protein in Shake N Bake.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook in batches if needed.
- Brush or mist pieces with a little oil before air frying.
- Flip protein halfway during cooking for even browning.
- Adjust cook times based on thickness of proteins.
- Let proteins rest 2 minutes before serving for juiciness.
Shake N Bake Air Fryer Cooking Times
Here is a cooking time guide for popular proteins when coated in Shake N Bake and air fried. Keep in mind cook times can vary based on the thickness and size of the pieces.
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 8-12 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 15-18 minutes |
| Chicken drumsticks | 18-22 minutes |
| Pork chops | 10-14 minutes |
| Fish fillets | 8-12 minutes |
| Shrimp | 5-7 minutes |
Best Proteins to Use
These proteins work exceptionally well when coated in Shake N Bake and air fried:
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts stay juicy and become perfectly crispy.
- Chicken drumsticks – Drumsticks get crispy skin and tender meat when air fried.
- Pork chops – Lean pork chops develop a crunchy crust and stay moist inside.
- Fish fillets – Firm white fish like tilapia, cod or haddock gets a crunchy coating.
- Shrimp – Jumbo shrimp becomes crispy and flavorful with Shake N Bake.
When working with thicker cuts, pound them to a more even thickness which will help them cook faster and crisp up better. For bone-in cuts, season under the skin or pat seasoning directly onto the meat for great flavor.
Shake N Bake Air Fryer Recipe Ideas
Here are some tasty recipe ideas for using Shake N Bake breading in the air fryer:
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- 1 lb chicken wings, pat dry
- 1/2 cup Shake N Bake Original coating
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- Pat wings completely dry with paper towels.
- Place wings and Shake N Bake in a sealable bag. Seal and shake well.
- Arrange coated wings in a single layer in air fryer basket. Mist or brush with olive oil.
- Air fry at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
- When cooked through, remove from basket. Let rest 2 minutes before serving.
Air Fryer Pork Chop with Apples
- 2 boneless pork chops
- 1/2 cup Shake N Bake Extra Crispy coating
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Pound chops to 1/2 inch thickness and pat dry.
- Coat chops completely in Shake N Bake mixture.
- Arrange chops and apple slices in single layer in basket.
- Air fry at 380°F for 12-14 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove from basket, top with thyme. Let rest 2 minutes.
Crispy Air Fried Tilapia
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1/4 cup Shake N Bake Original
- Lemon wedges
- Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towel.
- Coat fillets completely in Shake N Bake.
- Mist tops of fillets with oil spray.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until fish flakes.
- Squeeze lemon over top when done. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Foods coated in Shake N Bake and air fried are delicious on their own, but here are some tasty serving suggestions:
- Serve crispy air fried chicken with ranch, BBQ sauce or honey mustard for dipping.
- Make tacos or sandwiches with Shake N Bake air fried chicken or fish.
- Pair crispy air fried pork chops with a side of applesauce or coleslaw.
- Toss air fried veggies like zucchini or green beans in Shake N Bake for a crispy coating.
- Top baked potatoes with Shake N Bake air fried shrimp for a twist on shrimp cocktail.
Get creative with different sauces, toppings and sides to complement the crispiness and flavor of Shake N Bake coated air fried foods!
Shake N Bake Air Fryer Maintenance
It’s important to properly clean your air fryer after cooking Shake N Bake coated foods. Here are some tips:
- Unplug the air fryer and let cool slightly before cleaning.
- Remove and handwash the basket and crisping tray in hot soapy water.
- Clean the interior with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
- Never submerge the base in water – simply wipe clean.
- Avoid using metal utensils or scouring pads inside the fryer.
- For stubborn grease stains, use baking soda and a soft sponge.
- Dry all parts fully before reassembling and storing.
It’s also a good idea to occasionally wipe down the exterior of the fryer to keep it looking it’s best. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines for your specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use original Shake N Bake or extra crispy?
Both original Shake N Bake and the extra crispy variety work well in the air fryer. For super crunchy results, go with the extra crispy option.
Do I need to spray the Shake N Bake with oil?
Lightly misting the Shake N Bake coating with vegetable oil or brushing with melted butter helps it get maximum crispiness and browning in the air fryer. But it can also work with no added oil.
How long does it take to cook?
Cooking times can vary from 8-22 minutes depending on the type and thickness of the protein. Chicken breasts and fish fillets take less time than chicken thighs or pork chops. Check food halfway through and adjust time if needed.
Can I recoat and reuse leftover Shake N Bake?
It’s best to use fresh Shake N Bake coating each time for food safety. Once chicken or other meats have been cooked in the breading, reuse can cause cross-contamination.
What setting should I use on the air fryer?
Most air fryer models will have a preset option for fried foods or chicken. If not, cooking at 380-400°F works well for Shake N Bake coatings. Adjust time based on food thickness.
Conclusion
Using Shake N Bake in the air fryer is an easy way to get deliciously crispy, flavorful results without having to deep fry foods. The Shake N Bake coating bakes up crunchy and delicious thanks to the super hot, circulating air in the air fryer. In just 10-15 minutes you can enjoy fried favorites like chicken, fish, pork chops and more with a fraction of the oil of traditional frying. Be sure to follow proper cleaning methods to keep your air fryer in top condition. Experiment with different proteins, seasonings and serving suggestions to take full advantage of this tasty cooking combo.