Frozen Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer
Frozen chicken patties are a fast sandwich base, but the oven takes 25 minutes and the microwave leaves the breading limp. Frozen chicken patties in the air fryer are crisp outside and hot inside in about 12 minutes, with no thawing. Here are the times for breaded patties and for raw chicken burgers, and how to know they are done.
- Temperature
- 380°F190 °C
- Total time
- 16min
- Prep time
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 165°F74 °C
- Per serving
- 420kcal
Why the air fryer works for frozen chicken patties
Store-bought frozen chicken patties are made from ground or formed chicken with a crumb coating. They are usually sold fully cooked, and only need to be heated, but some are sold raw. Either way, the breading needs dry heat to crisp. The air fryer circulates hot air around the whole patty, which dries the coating quickly and renders a little fat out of the meat, so you get crunch without deep frying.
Check the package first. Fully cooked patties only need to reach 165 °F in the center, and raw patties need the same 165 °F, so a thermometer helps with both. The times below are for typical patties, so adjust if yours are thicker or thinner.
How to make frozen chicken patties in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Skip the thawing Take the patties straight from the freezer. Thawed breading turns gummy, so cook them frozen.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 380 °F for .
- Arrange Place the patties in a single layer in the basket, without overlapping. Most baskets hold 2 to 4 patties, so cook in batches if needed. Spray the tops lightly with oil to help the breading brown.
- Cook Air fry for , flipping after . Thick patties of 4 oz or more need .
- Check the center Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part. Chicken is safe at 165 °F. If it reads lower, cook in 1-minute steps.
- Assemble For the last minute, add a slice of cheese on top so it melts. Toast the buns for in the basket after the patties come out, then build the sandwiches with lettuce and mayonnaise.
Times and temperatures
| Frozen Chicken Patties | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Breaded patties, 3 ozFlip after 6 min | 380 °F (190 °C) | 12 min |
| Thick patties, 4–5 oz | 370 °F (190 °C) | 14–15 min |
| Faster, at 400 °F | 400 °F (200 °C) | 9–10 min |
| Raw frozen chicken burgersFlip twice | 360 °F (180 °C) | 16–18 min |
| Mini patties, 1–2 oz | 380 °F (190 °C) | 8–9 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 165 °F (74 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Mist, do not soak. A light spray of oil is enough. Too much oil makes the coating greasy instead of crisp.
- Flip with tongs. Wait for the first 6 minutes to pass, so the crust is set and the breading stays on.
- Toast the buns. One minute in the hot basket gives the bun a crisp edge that holds up against juicy toppings.
What to serve with chicken patties
Build a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise, or go in the direction of a spicy sandwich with hot sauce. On the side, crispy french fries, coleslaw or corn on the cob make a quick weeknight dinner. Slice a cooked patty for a salad with ranch dressing.
Patties versus other chicken
Patties are formed and breaded, so they cook faster than a whole chicken breast. If you cook from scratch, see chicken burger with ground chicken, or chicken nuggets for smaller bite-size pieces. For cutlets pounded thin, try chicken cutlets.
Storing and reheating
Keep the patties frozen until needed. Cooked patties keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes, until they reach 165 °F in the center and the breading is crisp again.
Variations
- Chicken parmesan style: Top each patty with 2 tbsp marinara and 2 tbsp mozzarella for the last 2 minutes.
- Spicy: Brush the patties with 1 tbsp hot sauce mixed with 1 tsp melted butter after cooking.
- Chicken biscuit: Serve a patty in a split warm biscuit with honey for breakfast.
If it does not turn out right
- The breading is pale and soft
- The patties were crowded or not sprayed with oil. Cook in one layer, mist the tops with oil, and flip halfway so both sides crisp.
- The outside is dark but the middle is cold
- The air fryer was too hot, or the patties were thick. Lower the temperature to 360 °F and add 2–3 minutes. Check the center with a thermometer.
- The patties stick to the basket
- Preheat the basket and brush it lightly with oil. Wait until the breading is set before you flip, which usually takes 6 minutes.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook frozen chicken patties in the air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 380 °F for fully cooked breaded patties, flipped halfway. At 400 °F they take 9–10 minutes. Check that the center reaches 165 °F.
Can you cook raw frozen chicken burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, but they need longer. Cook uncooked frozen chicken burgers at 360 °F for 16–18 minutes, flipping twice, and check for 165 °F in the center. Never rinse raw chicken.
Do you need to thaw frozen chicken patties first?
No. Cooking from frozen gives the crispiest breading and takes only a couple of minutes longer.
How about frozen chicken cutlets and nuggets?
Frozen breaded cutlets take 12–14 minutes at 380 °F, and nuggets take 8–10 minutes. Always check the temperature, because thickness changes the time.
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