Crunchy Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken

Ingredients

Here I highlight my ingredient choices for my air-fried Cornflake-crusted chicken breast recipe, alternatives, and tips. For exact quantities and nutritional info, please scroll down to the printable recipe card.

• Chicken breasts. Slice in half two large chicken breast so you get four pieces. Aim for approx. ½ inch in thickness. This recipe will also work with chicken tenders, chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks. See the cooking chart below.
• Mayonnaise. In addition to keeping the chicken moist inside, mayo helps the panko or breadcrumbs to stay on and get toasty.
• Seasoning. I used a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of Vegeta All Purpose seasoning.
• Oil. I use the Avocado oil to brush the chicken breasts lightly along with the seasoning + oil spray. It’s important to spray the cornflake-covered chicken breast in the air fryer so they don’t stick. I use Ghee butter oil spray.
• Air fryer. I’m using my Ninja Foodi XL 6in1, 1st Generation.
• Coating station. It helps to have your bowl ready to coat your chicken or grab one of these handy silicone breading stations. It makes coating your chicken and clean-up a breeze.

How to Make Air Cornflake Chicken in Air Fryer

• Slice two large chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you get four even breasts. Aim for approx. ½ inch in thickness. This recipe will also work with chicken tenders, chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks.
• Lightly brush the chicken with oil and season with salt pepper to taste, garlic, and seasoning of choice.
• Crush cornflakes in the blender to the fine crumbs. I used Hamilton beach mini food processor.
• Fully coat the seasoned chicken with mayo and mustard mixture.
• On a flat plate lay out the crushed cornflake crumbs and dip each chicken breast in crushed cornflakes (you can add grated  parmesan cheese to the cornflakes if you prefer)
• Cover each chicken piece in cornflakes completely and carefully place in the preheated air fryer at 390F (198C)
• Spritz each chicken piece lightly with spray oil. I’m using Ghee butter spray oil.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Once turned on the other side, spray again and continue cooking for the remaining 5-6 minutes, until the internal temperature is at 165°F (74°C).
• Bon Appetit!

Why Use Mayonnaise Instead of Eggs?

Mayonnaise can be your secret weapon in the kitchen. Yes, you read that right – mayonnaise can replace eggs in many recipes with great success! Not only does it add a unique richness to your dishes, but it’s a great way to cut down on time and effort too. It is thick, creamy, and contains fat, just like egg. You can use mayonnaise out of the refrigerator to coat chicken and create a protective layer to help retain moisture during cooking.

Variations

Air fryer cornflake chicken is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are some variations of the dish that you can try. 

• For a spicy kick, add a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce to the mayo mixture. 
• Make a buffalo-style chicken. Add buffalo sauce and ranch powder to the mayo. 
• Asian flavor. Use sesame oil and grated ginger. 
• Prefer Mexican? Try chili powder and cumin. 

Get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own unique chicken dish.

Serving Suggestions

The beauty of such a simple recipe like this is the possibilities for side dishes are endless. 
I love to serve it with air fryer roasted broccoli, roasted carrots, or air fryer caramelized onions and cilantro lime coleslaw.

Try it with comforting Blooming Sweet Potato, or Hasselback potatoes.

Tips

• Choose a plain cornflake cereal, such as Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. Avoid flavored or sugary cereals, as these will not provide the same crunchy texture or taste.
• Make sure that the chicken is completely covered in the cornflake mixture. Gently press the cornflakes onto the chicken firmly to ensure they stick. This will help to ensure a crisp and crunchy coating.
• When cooking the chicken in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and the coating stays crisp. 
• Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and crisply.
• Monitor the chicken as it cooks. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. Check the chicken regularly and remove it from the air fryer when it is golden brown and crispy with an internal temperature of at least 165°F
• Spray the air fryer basket (or tray) with the cooking oil before placing the chicken in the air fryer. This will insure the chicken will not stick, regardless if you have a non-stick coating.

Cornflake-crusted Chicken Cooking Guide

• Chicken Breast: 390°F-400°F (200°C)  for 12 minutes, turning half-way, until the internal temperature is at 165°F (74°C)
• Chicken tenders: 390°F-400°F (200°C)  for 10 minutes, turning halfway until the internal temperature is at 165°F (74°C)
• Chicken Drumsticks: 390°F (195°C)  for 22-24 minutes, turning halfway until the internal temperature is at 165°F (74°C)
• Chicken Thighs: 390°F (195°C)  for 22-24 minutes, turning halfway until the internal temperature is at 165°F (74°C)