Preheating the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Preheating ensures that the chicken starts crisping up as soon as it hits the basket.
Arranging the Chicken Strips
Once the air fryer is hot, place the frozen chicken strips into the basket in a single, even layer.
Make sure the pieces do not overlap or crowd each other so that the circulating heat can crisp them evenly on all sides.
Note: Do not thaw the chicken fingers before cooking; they go straight from the freezer to the air fryer.
Adding Oil (Optional)
Extra oil spray is generally not required because the pre-packaged breading usually contains enough oil to get nice and golden brown on its own. However, if you prefer an extra-crispy finish, you can lightly spray them right before cooking.
Cooking Time and Flipped Halfway
Cook the chicken fingers at 380°F for a total of 10 to 12 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking process (around the 5 to 6-minute mark), open the air fryer and use tongs to flip each chicken strip over to promote even browning.
Cook until they are crunchy on the outside and thoroughly hot on the inside.
