No oil needed for this Extra Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipe! A healthier, super crunchy version of your fast food favorite that’s top 8 allergy-free, a mom-approved quick & easy dinner idea, and kid-friendly!
How many kitchen appliances can Rebecca fit in her house? I can tell you that we haven’t hit the limit yet! People are so obsessed with their Instant Pots right now, but in my humble opinion, Air Fryers should be leading the way! Imagine having the ability to “fry” foods to crispy, crunchy perfection without all the oil and grease. Imagine a super quick “pod” that literally uses hot air to cook (and bake!) just about any food in the nick of time. All this at the press of a button, right on your countertop, in your hot air pod of magic!
MY LATEST VIDEOSWhen a GoWISE USA Air Fryer graces the presence of the Strength and Sunshine kitchen, something fun, something nostalgic, something perfectly gluten-free and top 8 allergy-free had to happen. Y’all know I’ve a huge fan of nuggets (chicken or chickpea!) and “baked not fried” versions of the classics. One food I’ve been wanting to celiac-approve and allergy-free-ify was some good ‘ole popcorn chicken; something I haven’t had in…over a decade.
Now, if you’re like me, you may be wondering just what is the difference between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets. First, popcorn chicken is an original creation by, the one and only, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). They launched in 1992 as small, bite-sized pieces of breaded and fried chicken, served in a popcorn shaped paper container. Chicken nuggets, on the other hand, are larger, invented in the 1950s and doesn’t necessarily have to be fried. They were made popular though, by McDonalds in the late 70s…and their nuggets are fried…very fried.
Popcorn chicken is typically soaking in buttermilk and breaded in a seasoned all purpose flour. Well, I wanted these to be extra crispy and really utilize the power of the air fryer, sans oil. I coated my gluten-free popcorn chicken in a trio of corn starch, coconut milk, and finely crushed corn flakes! Such a perfect crunch, no grease, and so bitably addicting! I used chicken tenders and cut them up into tiny pieces (perfect for little hands and prime for dunking in the goods).
To say that I’m in love with the Air Fryer is an understatment. From the crispiest chicken to the crispiest potatoes; it’s a dream machine for me! In the summer time, you won’t ever have to turn your oven on either! Just plug in the Air Fryer and go! It’s super light weight too, which surprised me. So moving it around isn’t a problem, but my Air Fryer isn’t leaving its prime spot kitchen (unlike my dehydrator that only gets used for the occasional “bacon” making. I actually use it as a stand for my basket of potatoes….sad). Now let me show you just how easy it is to make the best, crunchiest, Extra Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken!
Extra Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
- 1 LB Skinless Chicken Tenders (cut into small cubes)
- ½ Cup Corn Starch
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Lite Culinary Coconut Milk
- 1 Tsp Pickle Juice
- 3 Cups Finely Crushed Gluten-Free Corn Flake Cereal
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Paprika
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- ¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Once you've cubed your chicken tenders, place them to the side and set up your 3 coating stations, in order.
- First, make a plate of the corn starch.
- Second, mix the coconut milk and pickle juice together in a bowl.
- Third, crush your corn flakes with the spices in a plastic bag before pouring out onto a plate.
- Now take each chicken piece, coat in the corn starch, then dunk in the coconut milk, and finally roll in the corn flake crumbs before placing in your Air Fryer basket.
- Repeat for all the pieces of chicken, evenly spacing them out in the Air Fryer basket (you may need to make two batches depending on the size of your Air Fryer.)
- Close the Air Fryer and set the temperature to 400°F and the time to 10 minutes (7-8 minutes if doing two batches).
- Now let it cook and get your ketchup ready to enjoy!
Crispy crunchy perfection! It’s such a healthy and quick dinner option that everyone will love! Parents, kids, college students (like myself). Who knew popcorn chicken could be so easy or so….oil-free! That, we can only attribute to the GoWISE Air Fryer. Frying of the future is finally here, my friends!
So tell me:
+ Do you have an Air Fryer (…yet)?
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovin’: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca Pytell * This post is sponsored by GoWISE USA. I am proud and excited to be partnering with them this year on some delicious “fried” creations!
I haven’t gotten an air fryer yet, but I know my daughter would love to have good chicken nuggets again!
Next on the gift list is to get a GoWISE!
I coat chicken in corn flakes regularly, but I’ve never tried popcorn in place of batter!
Popcorn?
I love this! My kids love chicken so much but I have been trying to reduce fried food. Gotta have the air fryer soon!
You actually eat fried food that often? You definitely need an air fryer then.
These look so good! I love chicken nuggets. I’ve been hearing more about the air fryers lately as I’ve been trying to eat healthier. I’m definitely going to have to learn more about them because they sound like something I would use.
They are fantastic appliances!
I’ve never tried an air-fryer but it seems a much healthier way to cook.
It’s like a mini oven!
I love my air fryer. What a great recipe. I will try this!
Great! I hope you enjoy these!
We have an air fryer but sometimes seems so confusing lol. I’ve been wanting to use it more frequently.
Play around with it and you’ll quickly get more comfortable!
I am getting an air fryer and can’t wait to make these!
Woohoo!! They are a great investment!
This looks so delicious. i love chicken recipes and this one is so healthy and still yummy!
So many ways you can play up boring chicken!
Air fryers do seem very temping, especially after seeing this recipe. I love how crisp and delicious your popcorn chicken looks.
Air fryers work like magic!
This sounds fantastic and healthy! The hubby and I are on a huge health kick, so this will be added to our must-try recipes.
You’ll never know it’s healthy!
What a fantastic idea! I need to make these as soon as possible!
Yes and you’ll love them!
It’s time for an air fryer in my life! Loving that healthy crunch on there!
Yes it is!!
I know what you mean Rebecca about people being so obsessed with their Instant Pots and Cookers at the moment! Regarding how many kitchen appliances we can fit into our houses, well if you ask Lynne she’ll tell you “No more”. But I’m pretty sure I can still squeeze a few more in! Ha ha! An Air Fryer hasn’t quite made it onto that list of appliances yet, but if you could send some of your amazing Popcorn Chicken this way and let Lynne taste it, I’m pretty sure it’ll be allowed in!
It would definitely be allowed in 😉 We chefs can’t be without ALL the appliances and gadgets!
My son’s girlfriend follows a gluten free diet, so I will make this next time she visits
So you have an air fryer?
These look awesome! I could easily devour them all!
Haha, they are addicting crunchy bites!
I just happen to have an awesome Phillips air fryer which has never let me down! This is the perfect recipe for when me and my hubby get a craving for takeaways! This is much healthier, thanks!
Great! Well I hope you enjoy!
I can’t wait to try this! I love the idea of adding pickle juice too!
It’s the secret for “fried” chicken!
Not necessarily new to them. Just haven’t found a healthy tasty way to eat popcorn chicken until now
I’m so close to buying an air fryer. I really don’t need another appliance, but that’s never stopped me before lol. I love the idea of not having to turn on the oven in the summer!
I think an air fryer is a must get 😉
We don’t have an airfryer but I would love to have one. There are so many recipes I want to try with it. Your pictures are great btw, this looks so delicious.
Right? I want to try baking something in there next 😉 Thank you!
Ha! I am exactly the same, have reached maximum gadget capacity. But after seeing this I really want an air fryer 🙂
I’ll never reach capacity 😛
I love my air fryer! I seriously don’t know how I lived without it. This chicken looks delish!
Haha, right? They are so fun!
Oh wow, I need these in my life! My Nana would make something very similar that we called chunk chunk chicken and I lived for it. I love how the air fryer makes it healthier!
Any popable crunchy chicken is bound to be delish!
Well now I seriously want to grab an air fryer and try these out!
Yes and yes!
Was sceptical about how this would be made and still taste good when reading the title. But now definitely going to give it a try because it looks amazing!!
Thanks for sharing
Are you new to air fryers?
This sounds amazing….and its 7:05am! We love our air fryer!
Haha, no bad time for some popcorn chicken 😉
‘ve been wanting to try an air fryer for quite some time because it seems like a MUCH healthier option and more in line with what I want to use to make healthier options for my family. This recipe sounds amazing. I am very interested in making it. Hope mine turns out and looks like yours!!!!
You so need an air fryer! They are great for any type of cooking!