Air Fryer Chicken Patties
Air fryer chicken patties need only a brush of oil to turn golden, and the circulating air keeps the middle juicy. Onion, garlic, paprika and breadcrumbs go into the minced chicken, and the shaped patties cook at 180°C for 12 minutes a batch. Eight small patties feed four, tucked into buns or served with salad and potato wedges.
- Total
- 54 min
- Prep
- 12 min
- Cook
- 27 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 260kcal
Basket size and batches
Eight patties will not fit in a standard 4–5 litre basket in one layer, and overcrowding stops the air reaching each side. Cook four at a time and keep the first batch covered with foil. If you have a large dual-drawer air fryer, you can cook all eight at once for the same 12 minutes.
Patties about 2cm thick cook through in 12 minutes. Thicker ones need a few more minutes, so check them with a thermometer rather than relying on colour.
How to make air fryer chicken patties
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix Put the minced chicken, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, paprika, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands for about a minute, until evenly combined. Do not overwork it, or the patties turn dense.
- Shape With wet hands, divide the mixture into 8 equal pieces (about 80g each). Shape each into a patty about 2cm thick and 7cm across, pressing a shallow dip in the middle so it stays flat as it cooks.
- Chill Put the patties on a plate lined with baking paper, cover and chill for to firm them up.
- Cook the first batch Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for . Brush the patties lightly with oil on both sides and lay 4 in the basket in a single layer, not touching. Cook for , turning them over after , until golden.
- Check Cut open the thickest patty. It should be steaming hot all the way through, with no pink and clear juices (75°C on a thermometer). Cover the cooked patties loosely with foil.
- Cook the second batch Brush and cook the remaining 4 patties in the same way for , turning once. Rest all the patties for before serving.
Serving and variations
Serve air fryer chicken patties in toasted buns with lettuce, tomato and a spoonful of mayonnaise for a simple chicken burger. The pan-fried version, chicken patties, is useful if your air fryer is busy, and a bigger bun with extra toppings makes an air fryer chicken burger.
Swap the paprika for ground cumin, or stir in a finely chopped red chilli or the zest of a lemon for a different flavour.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Chicken Patties
- The patties fall apart when you turn them.
- The mixture was too soft or was not chilled. Chill the patties for the full 15 minutes, add a tablespoon more breadcrumbs if the mixture is very wet, and use a fish slice to turn them once.
- The patties are dry.
- Lean breast mince dries out easily. Use thigh mince, brush the patties with oil, and stop cooking as soon as they reach 75°C in the centre.
- The patties stick to the basket.
- Lightly oil the basket, or line it with a perforated air fryer liner. Leave the patties until the underside has set before you turn them.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Chicken Patties
How long do you cook chicken patties in the air fryer?
12 minutes at 180°C, turned halfway, for patties about 2cm thick. Check that the centre is 75°C and steaming hot with no pink.
Can you cook them from frozen?
Yes, cook frozen raw patties at 180°C for 16–18 minutes, turning halfway. Check the centre is steaming hot all the way through before serving.
How do you cook them in the oven instead?
Bake on a lined tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6 for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked through and golden.
How do you store leftovers?
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 56 ratings
