Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken (No Breading)
This easy recipe for Homemade Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken without breadcrumbs is the best way to enjoy popcorn chicken. The ingredients are healthy and gluten free and can easily be made with air fryer or Ninja Foodi!
There are many reasons NOT to buy store-bought brands of frozen popcorn chicken. A healthy way to enjoy popcorn chicken is by making your own at home! I’ve mixed a unique blend of ingredients that taste like breadcrumbs that are grain free, gluten free, and happen to be low carb and keto.
Popcorn chicken gets nice and crispy in the air fryer while staying juicy and tender on the inside! Serve with a side of Honey Mustard, Blackened Ranch, Habanero Ranch, or 1000 Island Dressing!
🍞Gluten Free & Grain Free Breadcrumbs
Made without grains or gluten, this unique popcorn chicken breading has a great flavor and give the chicken a crunchy and nutty taste. Adjust ingredients as necessary. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until fully combined. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- 2 oz Plain Pork Rinds, or purchase Pork Panko
- 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast, optional but adds great taste!
- 1 tbsp Milled Flax Seed, or almond flour
- 2 tsp Avocado Oil
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
📖How To Air Fry Popcorn Chicken
1️⃣ In a medium sized bowl, combine crushed pork rinds, nutritional yeast, milled flax seed, garlic pepper, salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Pat one chicken breast dry with a paper towel and cut into bite sized pieces. Toss in 2 tsp avocado oil until all pieces are coated.
3️⃣ Toss coated chicken pieces in breading mixture until each piece is fully coated.
4️⃣ Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket and add breaded popcorn chicken pieces in a single layer.
5️⃣ Air fry at 375 degrees for 15 minutes tossing half way through.
6️⃣ Remove from air fryer with tongs and serve hot with a dipping sauce.
👩🍳Tips From The Chef
- How long it takes to air fry popcorn chicken depends on the size and your individual air fryer. Generally, it takes about 10-12 minutes at 375F in a preheated air fryer. For extra crispy popcorn chicken, add a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Can you eat popcorn chicken on Whole30? Yes, If you make it from scratch at home using Whole30 ingredients. To adapt this recipe to Whole30 protocol, replace the pork rind crumbs with 1/3 cup superfine almond flour.
- Don’t have an air fryer? Bake popcorn chicken in the oven. Preheat to 400F and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cook for 15-20 minutes flipping halfway through. Since the oven doesn’t have dry circulating heat (unless you use convection mode), you may want to broil for 1-2 minutes until crispy.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken (No Breading)
Ingredients
- 1.5 LBS Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Gluten Free & Grain Free Breading
- 2 oz Plain Pork Rinds crushed into a fine crumb/powder consistency
- 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tbsp Milled Flax Seed
- 2 tsp Avocado Oil
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
- ⅛ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, combine crushed pork rinds, nutritional yeast, milled flax seed, garlic pepper, salt and pepper.
- Pat one chicken breast dry with a paper towel and cut into bite sized pieces. Toss in 2 tsp avocado oil until all pieces are coated.
- Toss coated chicken pieces in breading mixture until each piece is fully coated.
- Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket and add breaded popcorn chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Air fry at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes tossing half way through.
- Remove from air fryer with tongs and serve hot with a dipping sauce.
