A crispy and delicious seasoned chicken breast in between two homemade waffles makes the perfect air fryer chicken and waffles sandwich!
This is a classic southern favorite and is available now in restaurants and food trucks all over the country. It’s the perfect combination of sweet fluffy waffles and crispy fried chicken with maple syrup.
We’re using the air fryer to cook crispy, seasoned chicken breasts, and making fresh waffles with a waffle iron. The whole thing will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
This recipe serves four people, but feel free to adjust for more or less than that.
What You’ll Need
- Chicken Breasts – 2 chicken breasts will make four sandwiches and fit well in the air fryer. To do more you may need to cook in two batches.
- Cornstarch and Flour – Together these two make the crispiest air fryer chicken breading.
- Seasoning – I like Nature’s Seasoning, and have been using it on everything lately. You can use any seasoning blend that you like. A seasoned salt or salt-free seasoning will work.
- Eggs – Eggs will help the breading stick to the chicken.
- Pancake or Waffle Mix – You can use your favorite brand here.
- Water – To make the waffles. follow the package instructions.
- Maple Syrup – For serving, if you like.
How to Make Them
- Pound the chicken breasts using the flat side of a kitchen mallet to 1/2 inch thick. Then cut each chicken breast into 2 pieces.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, mix flour and cornstarch with seasoning. In another bowl, beat the eggs well. Coat the chicken fillets in the flour mixture, then the egg wash, then back into the flour.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Then add the chicken to the basket and spray them with oil. Air fry as directed in the recipe below and make sure that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Mix water and pancake mix to create waffle batter.
- Cook waffles using a waffle iron and be sure to evenly disperse the batter.
- Assemble the chicken fillets between two waffle squares, coat them with warm maple syrup, and enjoy.
How to Serve
This recipe can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch! It’s very versatile. Enjoy Chicken and waffles with a side of air fryer french fries or a simple salad to make the meal a bit healthier.
Maple Syrup is the traditional topping, and definitely my favorite, but you can use other sauces too!
Try a spicy buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce to add a different spin.
Using Frozen Chicken
If you have frozen chicken, you’ll want to thaw it out before breading and air frying. You can air fry frozen, breaded chicken to make these sandwiches though. It’s a great shortcut.
Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles
Equipment
- waffle iron
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 2 tablespoons Seasoning Blend like Nature's Seasoning
- 2 Eggs
- 2 1/2 cups Pancake Mix
- 1 1/2 cups water or as needed to make the waffles
- Maple Syrup warmed, optional for topping.
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients together. Pound the chicken breasts using the flat side of a kitchen mallet to 1/2 inch thick. Then cut each chicken breast into 2 pieces.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, mix flour and cornstarch with seasoning. In another bowl, beat the eggs well. Coat the chicken fillets in the flour mixture, then the egg wash, then back into the flour.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Then add the chicken to the basket and spray them with oil.
- Cook fillets at 380°F for 12-15 minutes. Make sure chicken internal temp reaches 165°f. Flip fillets and cook for 3-5 more mintues to crisp breading. Remove and let fillets rest.
- While chicken is cooking, make waffles by mixing pancake mix and water to create a batter.
- Cook waffles using a waffle iron, being sure to evenly disperse the batter.
- Assemble the chicken fillets between two waffle squares, coat with warm maple syrup if desired, and enjoy.
Notes
- The nutrition facts for this recipe are approximate, and don’t include the maple syrup or other toppings you might add to the chicken.
- Try adding buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce to chicken and waffles for a more savory experience.
- If your pancake recipe gives instructions for making waffle batter, use those instructions, otherwise use the amount of water given in the recipe. Adjust as needed to get the right consistency.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the “Air Fry” function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes airfrying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
