Panko-crusted air fryer chicken is crispy, golden, and delicious.
Cooking Tips
The Secret to Crispy Chicken in the Air Fryer . . . is the Microwave
Pre-toast your breadcrumbs. It makes a huge difference.
By Published Jan. 30, 2023.
But simply coating your chicken in panko and throwing it into the air fryer leads to uneven browning.
No one likes a burnt patch on one side and a bald, non-crispy patch on the other.
Which is why you should pre-toast your breadcrumbs.
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It’s easy! All you need is your microwave.
Toss 1 cup panko with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a shallow dish until evenly coated. Microwave, stirring frequently, until panko is light golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes.
Then coat your chicken breast, pork chops, or even fish, and air-fry away!
Perfectly golden. Evenly golden. Each and every time.
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Pro tip: Pre-toast a big batch of panko and store it in a zipper-lock bag for up to 7 days.
That way you can easily make any (or all) of these recipes throughout the week: