Easy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Patties (Ready in 22 Mins!)

Are you looking for a dinner idea that’s a total game-changer for busy weeknights? You’ve come to the right place! Today, I’m going to show you how to make the most delicious and juicy chicken patties using my favorite kitchen helper: the air fryer.

Forget about dry, boring chicken. These homemade patties are packed with flavor, so easy to mix together, and cook up perfectly in minutes. Whether you serve them on a bun like a burger or alongside some fresh veggies, they’re sure to become a new family favorite. Seriously, this recipe is as simple as mix, shape, and air fry!

General Information

Particulars	Details
Preparation Time	10 min.
Cook Time	12 min.
Total Time	22 min.
Yields	4 patties
Difficulty	Easy
Total Calories	235 kcal (Per Serving)
Cuisine	American

Why I Love This Recipe

• It’s So Fast: These yummy chicken patties are cooked and ready to eat in less than 15 minutes. It’s one of my favorite quick meals!
• Healthy & Filling: These patties are packed with protein, which is great for keeping you full. They are a healthy choice for lunch or dinner.
• Perfect Texture: I just love how the air fryer makes the outside of the patties a little crispy, but keeps the inside super tender and juicy. No more dry chicken!
• Make Them Ahead of Time: This recipe is a lifesaver for meal prep. You can make a big batch, freeze them, and then cook them straight from the freezer whenever you need a quick dinner.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need a lot of fancy stuff to make these patties, which is why I love them! Here are the simple ingredients we’ll be using.

• Ground Chicken: The star of the show! I find that using ground chicken that is 93% lean and 7% fat makes for the juiciest, most flavorful patties. If you use chicken that’s too lean, they can become a little dry.
• Egg: This is our binder. It’s like the super glue that holds the patty mixture together so it doesn’t crumble in the air fryer.
• Breadcrumbs: This is my secret for super tender patties. The breadcrumbs soak up the juices from the chicken as it cooks, keeping all that moisture locked inside.
• Seasonings: We are using a simple but powerful blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This mix gives the patties a classic, savory flavor that everyone loves.
• Olive Oil: We’ll brush just a little bit on top. This helps the patties get that perfect golden-brown finish and a lovely, slightly crisp texture on the outside.

How to Make Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer

Making these is so simple. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have perfect patties in no time!

1. Mix Everything in One Bowl: Get a large mixing bowl. Add your ground chicken, the egg, breadcrumbs, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Use your clean hands or a big spoon to mix it all together. Just mix until everything is combined—try not to over-mix it!

2. Shape Your Patties: Divide the chicken mixture into 4 equal portions. Gently roll each one into a ball, and then flatten it into a patty that is about a half-inch thick. If the mixture feels a little sticky on your hands, you can wet them with a tiny bit of water to make shaping easier.

3. Place in the Air Fryer: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with a little oil so the patties don’t stick. Carefully place the patties inside the basket in a single, even layer. It’s very important not to let them get too crowded! If they don’t all fit, it’s better to cook them in two small batches.

4. Brush with Oil and Cook: Take your tablespoon of olive oil and gently brush the tops of the patties. This is the secret to getting them nice and golden brown. Now, slide the basket into the air fryer and cook them at 400°F (200°C) for 7 minutes.

5. Flip and Finish Cooking: Once the 7 minutes are up, carefully pull out the basket and use tongs to flip each patty over. Put them back in and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.

6. Check for Doneness: The patties are done when they are cooked all the way through. The best way to be sure is to use a meat thermometer. The inside of the thickest patty should be at least 165°F (74°C). Once they reach that temperature, they are ready to eat!

Fun Ideas and Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can change it up! Here are a few of my favorite ways to add a little twist.

• Add Cheese: Who doesn’t love cheese? You can mix small cubes of cheddar cheese right into the chicken mixture for a melty surprise inside. Or, you can place a slice of American or provolone cheese on top of the cooked patty and air fry for one more minute to melt it.
• Try New Seasonings: Feel free to get creative with the spices. For a little kick, add a pinch of chili powder. You can also use a tablespoon of taco seasoning for a delicious southwest-style patty!
• Make Them Crispy: If you love a crispy coating, you can press the outside of each raw patty into some extra breadcrumbs or panko crumbs before air frying.
• Use Different Meat: This recipe works great with ground turkey, too! Just follow the exact same steps.

How To Serve Your Patties

You can serve these chicken patties in so many ways!

• As a Burger: Place the patty on a warm hamburger bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and your favorite sauce.
• On a Salad: For a lighter meal, let the patties cool a bit, chop them up, and toss them onto a fresh green salad.
• With a Side: Serve the patties whole with a side of air fryer french fries, sweet potato fries, or a roasted vegetable.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

These patties are great for leftovers.

• In the Fridge: Store any leftover patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• In the Freezer: To freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will last for up to 3 months.
• How to Reheat: The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer! Just pop them in at 360°F (180°C) for about 3-4 minutes until they are warmed through and crispy again.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Use the Right Chicken: For the absolute juiciest chicken patties, use ground chicken that is 93/7. That little bit of fat makes all the difference and keeps the patties from drying out.
Boost the Flavor: For a richer, more savory flavor that tastes a bit like a beef burger, add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the chicken mixture.
Easy Transfer Trick: To move the sticky patties to the air fryer without them breaking, form them on small squares of parchment paper. Then, you can just lift the paper, flip the patty into the basket, and peel the paper right off.
Don’t Crowd the Basket: Your patties need space to get crispy. If your air fryer basket is small, it’s much better to cook in two batches than to squeeze them all in at once.
A Thermometer is Your Best Friend: The best and safest way to know your chicken is done is by using a meat thermometer. Poke it into the thickest part of a patty—it’s ready when it reads 165°F (74°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep the chicken patties from falling apart?

The egg and the breadcrumbs are the key! They act as a binder to hold the meat together. Also, be careful not to overmix the ingredients.

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe works perfectly with ground turkey. The cooking time and temperature will be the same.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! To make them gluten-free, simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free breadcrumbs.

How do you know when chicken patties are cooked?

The safest and most accurate way is to check with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the patty should be 165°F (74°C).

Can I make these in the oven?

Yes! Place the patties on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Make sure they reach 165°F inside.

Can I air fry store-bought frozen chicken patties?

Definitely. Most packages have air fryer instructions, but a good rule of thumb is to cook them at around 360°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Do you need to toast the breadcrumbs?

Nope! No need to toast them before mixing. The air fryer does a great job of making the outside of the patty and the breadcrumbs nice and golden brown all on its own.

Final Words

And there you have it! I truly hope you and your family enjoy these simple and delicious air fryer chicken patties as much as my family does. They have become a real go-to meal in our house for busy nights, and I’m so excited to have shared the recipe with you. Happy cooking!

Print