Air Fried Chicken Tenders

Great grandma's time-tested recipe for crispy, perfectly browned fried chicken. The best part: because it is adapted for the air fryer, it is healthier than its deep fried cousin!

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. imitation chicken breast halves

3 eggs, beaten (or cashew cream, see recipe below)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

¾ tsp paprika

½ tsp cayenne

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp chili powder

INSTRUCTIONS

• Cut chicken breasts into 1” wide strips
• Pour flour onto a large plate
• Mix breadcrumbs and seasonings together in a shallow bowl or on a second large plate
• Coat pieces of chicken in flour, dip into eggs (or cashew cream), then dredge into crumb mixture
• Heat up your air fryer to 375 degrees.
• Place a row of strips on the frying basket. Spray with a light coat of cooking spray.
• Cook sticks for 6 minutes. Open fryer to flip the strips with tongs. Continue cooking for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve with honey mustard for dipping.

FOR CASHEW CREAM

Place 2 cups cashews in a bowl. Add cold water to cover. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, drain and rinse. Place in blender with enough cold water to cover them by 1 inch. Blend until smooth.

Air Fried Recipes: Onion Rings

Battered, breaded, and then fried to crispy perfection. What's best- because they are air fried, they are healthier than their deep fried counterparts!

INGREDIENTS

1 large onion, cut into rings
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup corn starch
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup soy milk (or regular milk if non-vegan)
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, blended

INSTRUCTIONS

• Separate the onion slices into rings and set aside. 
• In a small bowl, stir together the flour, corn starch, baking powder, and salt.
• Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until coated; set aside. 
• Whisk the egg and milk into the flour mixture using a fork. 
• Dip the floured rings into the batter to coat, then place on a wire rack to drain until the batter stops dripping. 
• Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Place rings one at a time into the crumbs, and scoop the crumbs up over the ring to coat. Give it a hard tap as you remove it from the crumbs. The coating should cling very well. Repeat with remaining rings.
• Place the rings side by side in the frying basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil, flip, coat with garlic powder and paprika blend. Place in the air fryer. 
• Fry the rings for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip once during the cooking. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season with seasoning salt, and serve.

Air Fried Recipes: Mozzarella Sticks

This ooey, gooey mozzarella stick is sure to impress. The best part: because it is air fried, it's healthier than its fried cousin! The recipe is for vegan mozzarella sticks, but you can substitute regular mozzarella for the same effect.

INGREDIENTS

5 oz. vegan (or regular) mozzarella
1/4 c flour
1/4 c plus 1 tbsp corn starch
1/2 c water
1 tbsp cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 c breadcrumbs (I use panko)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a wide, shallow bowl, combine ingredients for wet mix, flour through garlic powder. The consistency should be like pancake batter, so adjust if needed.
• In another wide, shallow bowl, stir together breadcrumbs and remaining spices.
• Slice vegan cheese into ½” strips.
• Lightly coat each stick with flour.
• Dredge each stick in the wet mix, then toss in bread crumbs until fully coated.
• Place sticks untouching in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze for 1+ hours.
• Heat up your air fryer to 400 degrees.
• Place a row of sticks on the frying basket. Spray with a light coat of cooking spray.
• Cook sticks for 6 minutes. Open fryer to flip the sticks with tongs. Continue cooking for 7-9 minutes or until golden brown.
• Season with garlic salt and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.