Air frying frozen chicken fingers is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or meal. Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, producing a crispy texture similar to deep frying but without all the oil. This makes them perfect for getting frozen chicken fingers nice and crispy on the outside while cooking the inside thoroughly.
When air frying frozen chicken fingers, there are a few key things to keep in mind regarding temperature. Choosing the right temperature is important to ensure the chicken fingers get fully cooked through without burning on the outside. Undercooking chicken raises safety concerns while overcooking will yield dry, chewy results. This article provides tips on the ideal air fryer temperature range to use for frozen chicken fingers along with guidance on cook times, flipping, and other helpful pointers.
What is the Recommended Air Fryer Temperature for Frozen Chicken Fingers?
The best temperature to cook frozen chicken fingers in an air fryer falls between 360-400°F. Setting the air fryer in this range will heat the chicken fingers enough to crisp and brown the outside coating while thoroughly cooking the inside.
Here are some more specific air fryer temperature guidelines when cooking frozen chicken fingers:
- 360-370°F will cook the chicken fingers more slowly and gently, ensuring even thorough cooking if you are dealing with a very large batch. This temp may require a slightly longer cook time.
- 380-390°F is ideal for getting a crispy outer breading and fully cooked inside with a tender, juicy texture.
- 400°F will cook the fastest and crispest the outside. Be careful not to overcook with this higher temp.
Shooting for 380°F is a good middle ground that will achieve crispiness and doneness for most frozen chicken fingers in an average air fryer. Monitor closely and adjust the temperature as needed based on factors discussed next.
Factors that Affect the Ideal Air Fryer Temperature for Frozen Chicken Fingers
While 380°F suits most situations, there are a few variables that may call for tweaking the temperature up or down:
- Size of chicken fingers – Larger, thicker chicken fingers may require a lower temp like 360°F to allow the inside to cook through without burning the breading.
- Amount being cooked – Large batches require more time in the air fryer, so they may cook better at a lower temp of 370-380°F.
- Breading type – Thicker breadings like panko may need a higher temp around 390°F to crisp fully.
- Doneness preference – If you like your chicken extra crispy outside, go up to 400°F.
- Air fryer wattage – Less powerful air fryers may need a higher temp to properly crisp and cook the chicken.
Get to know your particular air fryer and the frozen chicken fingers you are cooking to find your perfect temperature. Adjust up or down in 10-degree increments until you achieve your desired results.
What Temperature Does It Need to Reach Inside?
While the air fryer temp you set will affect the outside breading texture, the internal temperature the chicken reaches is what determines safe doneness.
According to USDA food safety standards, chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any potential bacteria and make it safe to eat.
Using an instant read meat thermometer, check that the thickest part of the largest chicken finger has hit 165°F before removing from the air fryer. The juices should also run clear rather than pink when pierced with a fork.
Setting the air fryer between 360-400°F will allow the chicken fingers to reach the proper 165° internal temperature during the cook time as long as you flip them occasionally and monitor doneness.
How Long to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Fingers
Cook times can vary based on the factors above, but here are some general air frying guidelines to get frozen chicken fingers perfectly crispy and cooked through:
| Amount | Air Fry Temp | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 pieces | 380°F | 10-12 minutes |
| 12-16 pieces | 380°F | 14-18 minutes |
| 20+ pieces | 370°F | 18-22 minutes |
- For larger batches, you may need to cook in two batches to allow for even crisping and prevent overcrowding.
- Flip the chicken fingers over halfway through the cook time.
- Always check internal temperature and adjust cook time if needed.
Watch closely near the end of the recommended cook time and remove immediately if the breading is getting too dark. Frozen chicken fingers go from perfectly done to burnt quickly at the end.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Frozen Chicken Fingers
Follow these tips for flawlessly air fried frozen chicken fingers every time:
- Use a light coating of oil spray on the chicken fingers before air frying for extra crispy results. Canola, avocado or olive oil work well.
- Flip the chicken fingers over halfway during cooking so both sides get evenly crisped.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between pieces.
- Brush panko breading with oil or egg wash before cooking for an extra crispy crust.
- Check the internal temp using a meat thermometer for doneness.
- Let chicken fingers rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Pair with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch or BBQ sauce.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes
It’s easy to end up with less than ideal results when air frying frozen chicken fingers. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Overcrowding – Too many pieces prevents even crisping and cooking.
- Inaccurate temperature – The wrong temp can lead to undercooked or burnt results.
- Not flipping – Need to flip halfway for evenly browned and cooked chicken.
- Wrong cook time – Under or overcooking can happen if you don’t adjust time based on amount.
- Not preheating – Air fryer needs 2-3 mins to preheat for best performance.
- Not patting dry – Damp chicken won’t get as crispy.
- Breading too thick – Thick breading may not crisp fully or cook through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I preheat my air fryer for frozen chicken fingers?
Yes, it’s recommended to preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding the frozen chicken fingers. This allows the air fryer to reach the set temperature for best crisping and cooking performance.
Can you put frozen chicken directly in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Air fryers are designed to cook frozen foods like chicken fingers, fries and nuggets. There’s no need to thaw them first. Just increase the cook time 5-10 minutes compared to thawed.
Do I need to flip chicken fingers when air frying?
Flipping the chicken fingers over halfway through the cook time is highly recommended. This ensures even browning and cooking on both sides rather than just crisping the top side.
Is air fried chicken healthy?
Air fried chicken can be a healthier option compared to deep frying. With little to no oil, air frying removes a lot of fat and calories. But breaded frozen chicken fingers are still high in carbs and sodium, so enjoy in moderation.
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
It is possible but not recommended. Raw chicken cooks best when pan-fried, baked or grilled to get a good sear first. Air frying raw chicken may result in uneven cooking and possible undercooking in the middle. For food safety, it’s best to stick to precooked frozen chicken products.
Perfect Pairings for Air Fried Chicken Fingers
Chicken fingers are already delicious on their own but pair them with any of these extras to take it over the top:
- Dipping sauces – Honey mustard, ranch, BBQ sauce, blue cheese, etc.
- Crispy fries – French fries, sweet potato fries, waffle fries
- Crunchy slaw – Creamy coleslaw, vinegar-based slaw
- Mac and cheese – The classiccomfort food pairing
- Fried pickles – Double down on the fried deliciousness
- Rolls – Soft rolls or biscuits to make chicken finger sandwiches
Get creative with different flavor and texture combinations!
Chicken Finger Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Take your air fried chicken fingers to new heights with these recipe ideas:
Spicy Fried Chicken Fingers
- 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp pepper
- Whisk buttermilk and hot sauce together in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate 30 mins.
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Dredge marinated chicken in flour mixture, coating completely.
- Air fry at 380°F for 10-14 minutes until 165°F internal temp.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Crispy Hawaiian Chicken Fingers
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch wide strips if large.
- Mix panko, flour, and seasonings in a shallow bowl.
- Dip chicken in flour mixture, egg, then panko. Press to adhere topping.
- Top with pineapple tidbits, gently pressing into the coating.
- Air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
- Serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping if desired.
Ranch Chicken Fingers
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1⁄2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1⁄4 cup grated parmesan
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄4 tsp paprika
- Coat chicken tenders in ranch dressing. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Mix panko, parmesan and seasonings in a shallow dish.
- Dredge ranch coated chicken in panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
- Serve with extra ranch dressing for dipping.
Conclusion
Air frying makes getting deliciously crispy chicken fingers at home quick and easy. The ideal air fryer temperature for frozen chicken fingers falls between 360-400°F, with 380°F working well in most cases. Cook 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Monitor closely to avoid overcooking. Use light breadings, flip, and don’t overcrowd for the best results. Pair with fun sauces and sides to take your air fried chicken fingers to the next level. With the right time and temperature, you’ll achieve tender juicy chicken wrapped in a perfectly golden crispy coating using the air fryer.