No Oil Needed To Make This Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe

If you want crispy popcorn chicken without the grease, this healthy air fryer popcorn chicken recipe is one to keep on repeat. It has all the crunch you want, but since it’s made in the air fryer with no oil, it feels lighter while still being super satisfying and may I say addicting. We usually end up making a double batch.

“My daughter loves popcorn chicken, but I don’t love the amount of oil it is fried in. This recipe tastes better than any fast food, plus it is way cheaper.”

This recipe is easy enough for busy weeknights, kid-friendly, and great for snacks, lunches, or dinner. The coating gets wonderfully crispy, the chicken stays juicy, and the whole thing comes together fast.

Crispy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken (Healthy & No Oil)

This air fryer popcorn chicken is one of those recipes that checks a lot of boxes. It’s quick, simple, and made with ingredients you may already have on hand.

• No oil needed
• Crispy coating
• Juicy chicken
• Kid-friendly
• Ready in about 20 minutes

If you enjoy easy chicken recipes like Air Fryer Chicken Breasts or Easy and Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken, this popcorn chicken is another great one to add to your rotation.

Ingredients and Supplies Needed to Make Popcorn Chicken in the Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• Uncooked skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into cubes
• Cornstarch
• Coconut milk
• Pickle juice
• Finely crushed Corn Flakes (gluten-free if preferred)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt (optional)
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Supplies:

• Air fryer
• Small bowls
• Large Ziploc bag

Ingredient Substitutions and Easy Swaps

Can I use soy milk instead of coconut milk?

Yes. Soy milk works perfectly in this recipe. The milk simply helps the coating stick to the chicken. Coconut milk adds a little richness, but any milk will work like soy milk, almond milk, or regular dairy milk.

Can I use buttermilk instead of coconut milk and pickle juice?

Yes. Buttermilk is a great substitute and helps tenderize the chicken while giving the coating something to stick to before cooking.

Why This Is a Healthier Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Traditional popcorn chicken is deep fried, which adds a lot of oil and heaviness. This version cooks in the air fryer with lean chicken breast, so you still get the crispy texture without dunking the chicken in hot oil.

How to Get Crispy Popcorn Chicken Without Oil

The crushed cornflake coating becomes wonderfully crispy in the air fryer without needing oil. Just press the coating firmly into the chicken pieces so it sticks before cooking.

Do you need oil for air fryer popcorn chicken?

No. The circulating hot air crisps the coating naturally, so oil spray is not required.

How to Make Popcorn Chicken in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Create the breading

Mix coconut milk and pickle juice together. In a Ziploc bag, crush cornflakes with the seasonings.

Step 2: Coat the chicken

Coat chicken in cornstarch, dip in the milk mixture, then roll in the cornflake coating.

Step 3: Air fry the chicken

Cook at 400°F / 200°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Favorite Dipping Sauces

1. Honey mustard
2. BBQ sauce
3. Ranch dressing
4. Honey
5. Chick-fil-A sauce

Make It a Full Meal

• Air Fryer Broccoli from Frozen
• How to Roast Any Vegetable in the Air Fryer
• Rice in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Green Beans

Final Thoughts

This healthy air fryer popcorn chicken is such an easy way to make crispy chicken at home without deep frying. It’s quick, kid-friendly, and packed with flavor.

Crunchy and Healthy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe Uses No Oil

Looking for the ULTIMATE crunchy air fryer popcorn chicken?! This version calls for ZERO OIL, and plenty juicy while still healthy!

4.64 / 5 ( 11 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Small bowls
• Ziplock bag

Ingredients

• 1 lb uncooked chicken breasts or tenders cut into 36-40 cubes
• ½-1 cup cornstarch
• 1 ½ cups coconut milk
• 1½ teaspoons pickle juice
• 4-6 cups finely crushed corn flakes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp salt optional
• pinch cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

• Mix together coconut milk and pickle juice.
• In a ziploc bag, finely crush cornflakes together with all the seasoning powders.
• Set up a station with a bowl or plate for cornstarch & cornflake mixture, and a bowl for the coconut milk mixture.
• Coat each chicken piece first in cornstarch, then dunk in the coconut mixture, then roll in the corn flakes.
• Repeat for each chicken piece and place them evenly in the air fryer. No need to preheat.
• Air fry at 400 °F for 8-10 minutes or until chicken is cooked to 165 °F. Flip chicken halfway through cooking.

Recipe Notes

Works with regular or gluten free corn flakes.
Omit salt for a slightly healthier version.

Nutrition

Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 109g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1021mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g

Recipe Adapted From: Strength and Sunshine