Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Skin

Dive into the simple snack of homemade Air Fryer Chicken Skin, where each golden piece offers a satisfying snap! The air fryer turns ordinary chicken skin into an easy snack, just waiting to be dipped, crunched, and enjoyed!

Every time I make a batch of air fryer chicken thighs (fresh or frozen), I get excited because it means I can make crispy chicken skin! Crispy chicken cracklins are crispy, flavorful pieces of chicken skin that have been rendered of their fat and fried or baked to golden brown perfection. They offer a satisfying crunch and rich taste, similar to pork cracklings, but made from poultry instead and are packed with collagen.

Can you air fry chicken skin? Yes! The best way to make crispy chicken skin is by using your air fryer or Ninja Foodi. The air fryer is a small convection oven that uses dry circulating heat that makes food crispy and crunchy without using excess oil, making it a healthy alternative to deep frying. Not only is the clean up much easier, but the cooking time is much faster.

Crispy chicken skins (or chicken cracklings), made with the skin from chicken thighs, chicken breast, or chicken drumsticks, can be served in many different ways. As a snack, they’re delicious on their own or can be dipped into your favorite sauce for an extra flavor kick.

Air frying chicken skin is a great way to enjoy a salad topping, a garnish for soups, or even a creative twist in sandwiches, adding a satisfying crunch. And they are suitable for Whole30, keto, or carnivore diets!

🧂Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Skin – Removed from the flesh of the chicken, it offers a rich, flavorful, and crispy texture that’s irresistible to snack on when cooked in the air fryer.
• Salt – A key seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the chicken skin, drawing out moisture during cooking for an even crispier result.

📖How To Air Fry Chicken Skin

1️⃣Prepare chicken skin: Begin by removing the skin from the chicken thighs or breasts. Try to keep the skin in as large of pieces as possible. If you’re using skin from a whole chicken or from drumsticks, that’s fine too. Lay them flat, then blot with a paper towel on both sides to remove excess moisture.

2️⃣Season chicken skin: Lightly sprinkle the chicken skin with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Remember that the skin will shrink significantly as it cooks, so don’t over-season.

3️⃣Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for five minutes.

4️⃣Layer in air fryer basket: Place the seasoned chicken skin in a single layer in the Ninja Foodi or air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. This is essential to get them evenly crispy.

5️⃣Air fry chicken skins: Cook the chicken skin in the air fryer for about 8-12 minutes. Halfway through cooking, flip them to ensure even cooking.

6️⃣Check for doneness: The chicken skins in air fryer are finished when they’ve reached a golden brown color and have a crispy texture. Depending on the thickness and size of the skin, and the specific model of your air fryer, the cooking time may vary.

7️⃣Remove oil and crisp: Remove the crispy chicken skins from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Let them cool for a minute or two, as they’ll continue to crisp up a bit more out of the fryer.

📺Air Fryer Chicken Skin Video

👩‍🍳Chef Val’s Cooking Tips

• How long to cook chicken skin in the air fryer? Generally, it will take 8-12 minutes to make crispy chicken skins, however this will depend on how big the pieces are and your individual air fryer. Add a few more minutes to the cooking time if needed.
• How to get crispy chicken skin in air fryer: Dry the chicken skins with paper towels before seasoning. Removing any excess moisture will create a more crispy chicken. You’ll also want to make sure that the chicken skin are in an even layer without overlapping in the air fryer basket to prevent steaming.
• Once chicken skin is air fried, it will continue to get crispy once its cooled, so don’t consume it immediately.
• Sprinkling the chicken skins with a small amount of baking soda will help the skin get even more crispy and bubbly. Keep a close eye if using as it can burn quicker.
• Do not overseason as the chicken skin will shrink causing too much concentration. Lightly season the chicken when raw, then add more seasoning after its cooked if needed.
• Air fried chicken skin nutrition: One serving of air fried chicken skin typically contains about 70 calories, 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 0 grams of carbohydrates.

❔FAQ

Is air-fried chicken skin good for you?

Air-fried chicken skin is a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying methods since it requires little to no added oil, reducing the overall fat content.

Do you air fry chicken skin side up or down?

There’s no strict rule for which side to start with, but beginning skin side up can allow the fat to render more effectively, then flipping halfway through ensures both sides get evenly crispy.

Does chicken skin have collagen?

Yes, chicken skin contains collagen, a protein that contributes to its firm texture and can also be found in connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. Consuming chicken with the skin can provide a good source of collagen in your diet.

🍗More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Chicken Burger
• Air Fryer Chicken Meatloaf
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins