Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a quick and convenient way to cook frozen foods like chicken strips. With an air fryer, you can achieve a crispy, crunchy texture similar to deep frying but with significantly less oil. Cooking frozen chicken strips in an air fryer is easy and requires just a few simple steps. Here is a detailed guide on how long to cook frozen chicken strips in an air fryer.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Chicken Strip Cook Times
There are a few key factors that impact the cook time for frozen chicken strips in an air fryer:
- Size of the chicken strips – Larger, thicker strips will take longer than smaller, thinner ones.
- Amount being cooked – Cooking a larger batch will increase cook time.
- Temperature of freezer – Chicken strips frozen solid at 0°F will take longer than those frozen at a higher temp.
- Air fryer wattage – Higher wattage air fryers will cook faster than lower wattage models.
- Flipping midway – Flipping the strips halfway through promotes even cooking.
Taking these factors into account will help you estimate the best cook time for your specific batch of frozen chicken strips in your model of air fryer.
Average Frozen Chicken Strip Cook Times
On average, when cooking 0.5-1 lb of frozen chicken strips in a standard 1500-1800 watt air fryer, the approximate cook times are:
- Smaller, thin strips: 8-12 minutes
- Larger, thicker strips: 15-20 minutes
These times are based on cooking at an air fryer temperature of 400°F and flipping the strips halfway through. Thicker strips may take up to 22-25 minutes if not fully thawed.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked frozen chicken strips in an air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Lightly brush or spray chicken strips with oil. This helps promote browning and crisping.
- Cook for half the estimated cook time, flip, then cook remaining time. Check for doneness and add extra time if needed. Refer to times above for average guidelines.
- For smaller batches, place strips in a single layer on the air fryer basket. For larger batches, divide into multiple batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3-5 minutes before adding chicken to allow it to fully preheat. This helps ensure proper cooking.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Allow chicken strips to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise slightly during the rest time.
- Enjoy immediately! Air fried chicken strips are best straight out of the fryer when they’re ultra crispy.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked, crispy air fryer chicken strips:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook chicken strips in a single layer with space between each piece.
- Use a light coating of oil. A brush or spray of oil prevents sticking and encourages browning.
- Flip halfway through cook time. Flipping the strips promotes even cooking on both sides.
- Cook at 400°F. This high heat helps chicken strips get crispy in the air fryer.
- Let air fryer fully preheat before adding food. Preheating allows the air fryer to reach optimal cooking temperature.
- Check internal temp with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F.
- Allow strips to rest before eating. Letting them rest allows moisture to redistribute for a juicier texture.
Common Air Fryer Chicken Strip Mistakes
It’s easy to end up with less than ideal results when cooking chicken strips in an air fryer. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Overcrowding – Only cook a single layer at a time so air can properly circulate.
- Not preheating – Wait until air fryer fully preheats before adding food.
- Too much batter – Thick batter prohibits crisping and browning.
- Undercooking – Always check internal temp with a meat thermometer.
- Not flipping – Flip strips halfway through for even cooking.
- Reusing old oil – Change out oil regularly to prevent residue buildup.
Avoiding these simple mistakes will ensure your chicken strips turn out perfectly crispy and fully cooked when air frying.
FAQs
Should I thaw frozen chicken strips before air frying?
You can cook frozen chicken strips straight from the freezer in an air fryer. However, thawing first reduces overall cook time. For food safety, do not thaw at room temperature – thaw overnight in the refrigerator instead.
What temperature should I set the air fryer to?
400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for cooking frozen chicken strips. This high heat helps the outside get crispy while fully cooking the inside.
How do I know when they’re done?
Check temperature by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Should I flip the chicken strips during cooking?
Yes, flipping the strips halfway through the cook time is recommended. This allows both sides to cook evenly and prevents burning.
Can I bread chicken strips before air frying?
Yes, breaded chicken strips can be cooked in an air fryer. Use panko or crushed cornflakes for the crispiest results. Just avoid thick batter coatings which inhibit browning.
Additional Tips and Advice
Here are some additional pointers to help you master cooking frozen chicken strips in the air fryer:
- Brush chicken with oil or nonstick spray right before air frying for best results.
- Cut larger strips in half so they cook faster and more evenly.
- Air fry in batches for crowded freezers for optimal texture.
- Use tongs or a fork to flip chicken gently; piercing causes moisture loss.
- If strips aren’t crispy enough, blast them on high for 1-2 mins at the end.
- Check strips early and add extra time if needed to ensure doneness.
- Add seasoning like paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper before air frying.
- Make your own freezer-ready breaded strips so they’re ready to go!
Nutrition Facts for Air Fried Chicken Strips
One of the benefits of air frying is reducing the fat and calories compared to deep frying. Here is a nutrition comparison of 3 ounces of chicken strips prepared by different cooking methods (based on USDA data):
| Cooking Method | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fried | 130 | 4 | 1 |
| Deep Fried | 290 | 19 | 3.5 |
| Baked | 140 | 3.5 | 1 |
As shown, air frying reduces fat by nearly 70% compared to deep frying. Air fried and baked chicken have very similar nutrition profiles. So you can achieve all the flavor and crunch without all the added fat and calories.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen chicken strips in the air fryer is a quick and easy dinner solution. Allow about 15-20 minutes cook time at 400°F for thawed larger sized strips, less time for smaller thawed strips. Flip halfway and check temperature to ensure doneness. Following proper technique of preheating, oiling, flipping, and not overcrowding the air fryer basket will result in perfectly cooked crispy chicken strips ready in under 30 minutes. Pair with favorite sauces and sides for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.