Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto air fried chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken – I used bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks, but you can also use chicken leg quarters, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or a variety of chicken cuts. Select ones that are uniform in size, so that they cook evenly at the same rate. Pork Rinds – You can make homemade pork rinds or buy them. Either way, once you crush them up, this is the keto equivalent to breadcrumbs. You can even get them pre-crushed to save time. If you like a cheesy flavor, replace half of the crushed pork rinds with grated parmesan cheese. Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour – Used for dredging, which helps the egg stick, and in turn helps the breading stick. Eggs – Dipping the chicken in egg will allow the breading to stick. You should be able to use an egg substitute (such as a flax egg) here if you need to. Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika adds a wonderful smoky flavor and color. If you don’t have this spice, you can use regular paprika as a substitute. Garlic Powder – Instead of using fresh garlic, which can burn easily, we’ve opted for garlic powder. To incorporate the flavor of fresh garlic, you can mix minced garlic with some butter and place the mixture under the skin like I do for air fryer chicken drumsticks. Dried Thyme – Dried parsley, basil, or chives would also work here. Or, use fresh herbs instead (triple the amount). Cooking Spray – I used olive oil cooking spray for extra crispy chicken, but you could use avocado oil cooking spray as well. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Keto Fried Chicken
This section shows how to make low carb fried chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. Replace the seasonings with add Italian seasoning or lemon pepper seasoning. Or, complement the seasonings above with oregano, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. Reduce or omit the salt if the spice blends you use contain it. This will help keep the dry bowls dry, so that you don’t end up with clumpy breading that doesn’t stick. I also recommend keeping most of the third mixture in a separate bowl and add a little at a time to the bowl where you’ll be coating the chicken. That way, it won’t get clumpy too fast. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line baking sheet with foil and place an oven safe rack on top. (I have and love this rack and baking sheet set!) Bake the chicken legs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches the internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
Sauces – For more flavor, add sauces to your chicken legs. Use the hot sauce from my baked buffalo wings to coat the chicken after cooking, or dunk the legs in my sugar-free teriyaki sauce or BBQ sauce. Air Fryer Vegetables – Make it a full meal with air fryer okra, air fryer green beans, air fryer cauliflower (my personal fave), or air fryer asparagus. Classic Sides – I love to pair this keto fried chicken with cauliflower mashed potatoes and keto coleslaw. It would also work well with my almond flour biscuits, keto cornbread, or a side of cauliflower mac and cheese. Salad – My broccoli cauliflower salad or cauliflower potato salad make quick and easy cookout-style options. My sweet kale salad is a favorite in my family though. Keto Fries – I saved the best for last! 😉 Pair this low carb fried chicken with zucchini fries, or if you want something more potato-like, my rutabaga fries or jicama fries.
For more ideas, check out all my low carb side dishes or low carb salad recipes. Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
