Are you tired of soggy chicken or messy deep-frying? If you love juicy, tender chicken with that irresistible crispy coating, then an air fryer is about to become your new best friend. Specifically, finding the best air fryer for chicken cutlets can elevate your weeknight dinners from good to gourmet. These versatile kitchen appliances circulate superheated air, mimicking the results of deep-frying with significantly less oil, making your favorite dishes healthier without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Chicken cutlets are a fantastic choice for air frying because they cook quickly and evenly, achieving a beautifully golden and crunchy exterior while staying moist inside. But with so many options on the market, how do you pick the perfect one? Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you! We’ve rounded up five top contenders that are sure to give you perfectly cooked, delicious crispy chicken cutlets every time.
Our Top Picks for the Best Air Fryer for Chicken Cutlets
Ready to achieve that perfect crisp? Let’s dive into our top five air fryer recommendations for chicken cutlets.
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This isn’t just an air fryer; it’s a comprehensive kitchen workhorse. The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven stands out for its immense versatility and spacious design, making it perfect for families or anyone who loves to cook a variety of meals. Its elegant French doors and stainless steel exterior add a touch of sophistication to any countertop, while its multi-cooking functions ensure you’re covered for everything from crispy chicken cutlets to perfectly done toast or a full roast. The 360º superheated air circulation and dual-speed fan guarantee an even cook and that desired golden crisp.
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Key Features:
- Versatile air fryer and multi-cooker combo with 25 cooking presets.
- Perfectly done toast function with automatic shut-off.
- Dual-speed fan for superior air circulation and crisping.
- Extra-large 26-quart capacity, suitable for 4-6 people, a 6-lb chicken, or a 12” pizza.
- Stylish stainless steel exterior with elegant French doors and interior light.
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Pros:
- Exceptional versatility with numerous cooking options.
- Large capacity is ideal for family meals or entertaining.
- French doors add a premium look and easy access.
- Great for more than just air frying – truly a multi-cooker.
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Cons:
- Larger footprint requires significant counter space.
- Might be overkill if you only need a basic air fryer.
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User Impressions: Customers rave about its ability to replace multiple appliances, praising its large capacity and consistent cooking results across all functions. Many highlight the convenience of the French doors and the quality of the air-fried dishes, from appetizers to main courses.
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Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 with 5 QT Capacity
When it comes to dedicated air frying performance, Ninja is a name you can trust, and the Ninja Air Fryer Pro doesn’t disappoint. This model is all about delivering consistently hot and crispy results with minimal oil, making it a fantastic choice for perfectly golden chicken cutlets. Its Air Crisp Technology truly shines, ensuring your food is surrounded by superheated air for an even, crunchy finish. Plus, its compact design means you save precious countertop space without sacrificing a generous 5-quart capacity, which is plenty for family-sized portions of your favorite fried foods.
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Key Features:
- Air Crisp Technology for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
- Large 5-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate, fits up to 5 lbs of chicken wings.
- 4-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- Achieves up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods.
- Cooks frozen foods to crispy perfection in minutes.
- Easy-to-clean nonstick basket and crisper plate.
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Pros:
- Excellent at achieving consistently crispy textures.
- Space-saving design without compromising on capacity.
- Simple to use and incredibly easy to clean.
- Healthier alternative to deep-frying.
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Cons:
- Fewer functions compared to oven-style air fryers.
- Basket style might require cooking in batches for very large families.
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User Impressions: Users frequently commend its ability to make food incredibly crispy and delicious with minimal effort. The quick cooking time and easy cleanup are often cited as major advantages, making it a go-to appliance for everyday meals.
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CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
The CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie is a versatile countertop appliance that brings professional-grade cooking to your home kitchen. What truly sets this model apart for chicken cutlets (and so much more!) is its rapid air heating elements, which mean no preheating is needed – a huge time-saver on busy evenings. With 17 preset options and a generous 10-liter capacity, you can air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast to crispy perfection with just a few touches on its intuitive capacitive control screen. The extra-large window and interior lights also let you keep a close eye on your chicken’s progress without opening the door.
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Key Features:
- Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, roast.
- Rapid air heating elements mean no preheating required.
- Healthy cooking with 98% less oil than traditional fryers.
- 17 preset options and easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen.
- Includes three air flow racks, rotisserie spit, and drip tray.
- Extra-large 10-liter capacity for family-size meals.
- Interior lights and large window for monitoring cooking progress.
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Pros:
- Eliminates preheating, saving valuable time.
- Extremely versatile with rotisserie function included.
- Large capacity suitable for larger families or meal prepping.
- Easy to monitor food without opening the unit.
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Cons:
- Oven-style design might take up more counter space than basket models.
- Some users might find 17 presets more than they need.
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User Impressions: Reviewers love the convenience of not needing to preheat and appreciate the wide array of cooking functions. Many highlight how easy it is to achieve crispy results and the benefit of the large viewing window for checking on food.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Fast TurboBlaze
For those seeking speed, precision, and a quiet kitchen, the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 with TurboBlaze Technology is an absolute game-changer. This air fryer excels at delivering “beyond-crispy, juicy perfection” thanks to its powerful 3600 rpm fan speed and higher maximum temperature of 450℉. Whether you’re cooking main dishes or perfectly textured sides, the advanced airflow and precise temperature control ensure consistent results. Plus, the 6-quart square basket is wider and deeper than many round baskets, maximizing usable space for your chicken cutlets and other family meals, all while operating at whisper-quiet levels.
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Key Features:
- Innovative TurboBlaze Technology for faster cooking and beyond-crispy results up to 450℉.
- Advanced airflow and precise temperature control for even cooking.
- Unique 5-fan speed system for professional-grade versatility.
- Large 6-quart square basket for family meals.
- Whisper-quiet operation at less than 53 dB.
- Achieves crispy textures with up to 95% less oil.
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking basket and detachable accessories.
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Pros:
- Remarkably fast cooking times without compromising quality.
- Achieves exceptional crispness and juiciness.
- Very quiet operation, ideal for open-plan living spaces.
- Excellent capacity for its compact footprint.
- Super easy cleanup with dishwasher-safe parts.
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Cons:
- Preheat function is customizable but might be an extra step for some.
- Fewer functions than oven-style multi-cookers.
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User Impressions: Customers are consistently impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Cosori TurboBlaze, noting how quickly it cooks food to crispy perfection. The quiet operation and ease of cleaning are also highly praised, making it a favorite for daily use.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer, Extra Large Airfryer with 360° Heating Technology
If you’re looking for an air fryer that’s been put through its paces and comes out on top, the Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer is a standout. Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen and voted the best large-capacity air fryer of 2024 by Reviewed USA Today, its performance speaks volumes. Inspired by professional pizza ovens, its 360° Heating Technology with dual top and bottom elements ensures incredibly even cooking and slashes cooking time by up to 30%. This extra-large airfryer is not only fast but also whisper-quiet and boasts an impressive 15-in-1 multifunctionality, from air frying crispy chicken cutlets to grilling, roasting, and even a unique self-cleaning mode for effortless maintenance.
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Key Features:
- Award-winning: Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen, best large-capacity by Reviewed USA Today.
- 360° Heating Technology with dual heating elements for even, fast cooking.
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1 in cooking speed, up to 30% faster than traditional air fryers.
- Whisper-Quiet operation at 55dB.
- 15-in-1 Multifunctional cooking, including Pizza, Steak, Air Fry, Roast, and more.
- Unique Self-Cleaning Mode removes oil and stains from the top cavity.
- Non-Stick Ceramic Basket coating for easy, non-toxic cleaning.
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Pros:
- Unmatched cooking speed and evenness.
- Top-tier performance backed by expert recommendations.
- Extremely versatile with 15 cooking functions.
- Innovative self-cleaning feature is a major convenience.
- Quiet operation and high-quality ceramic non-stick basket.
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Cons:
- Likely a higher price point due to premium features and performance.
- Self-cleaning function may require app activation.
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User Impressions: Users are consistently amazed by its speed and the quality of food produced, noting that chicken wings and other meats come out perfectly crispy. The quiet operation is frequently praised, along with the convenience of the self-cleaning mode, making it a popular choice despite its premium standing.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Frying Chicken Cutlets
Q1: How long does it take to cook chicken cutlets in an air fryer?
A1: Generally, chicken cutlets (about 1/2 inch thick) take between 10-15 minutes at 375-400°F (190-200°C). Thicker cutlets might take a bit longer. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
Q2: What’s the best temperature for air frying chicken cutlets for crispiness?
A2: For maximum crispiness, a temperature between 375°F and 400°F (190-200°C) is ideal. This high heat helps to quickly crisp the exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
Q3: Do I need to preheat my air fryer for chicken cutlets?
A3: Preheating is often recommended for best results, especially for achieving that perfect crisp. It ensures even cooking from the start. Most air fryers preheat in just 3-5 minutes. Some models, like the CHEFMAN, don’t require preheating, saving you time!
Q4: Can I put breaded chicken cutlets in an air fryer?
A4: Absolutely! Air fryers are fantastic for breaded chicken cutlets. The circulating hot air crisps the breading beautifully without making it soggy, resulting in a healthier alternative to deep-frying with all the crunch you love.
Q5: How do I get extra crispy chicken cutlets in my air fryer?
A5: To get extra crispy chicken cutlets, ensure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket (cook in batches if necessary), lightly mist or brush with a little oil (especially if not breaded), and flip them halfway through cooking. Some models with dual heating elements or higher fan speeds will naturally give you an extra crisp.
Q6: What are the main benefits of air frying chicken cutlets over other methods?
A6: Air frying chicken cutlets offers several benefits: it’s healthier due to less oil usage, cooking is often faster than traditional ovens, cleanup is typically easier, and you get incredibly crispy results with a juicy interior, which can be hard to achieve with pan-frying or baking.
Q7: How do I clean my air fryer after cooking chicken?
A7: Most air fryer baskets and trays are nonstick and often dishwasher-safe (check your manual). For manual cleaning, let the unit cool, then wash with warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. For stubborn bits, soaking for a few minutes helps. Some advanced models, like the Typhur Dome 2, even offer a self-cleaning mode!
Conclusion
Finding the best air fryer for chicken cutlets truly depends on your specific needs, whether that’s a compact unit for quick, crispy results, or a multi-functional oven-style appliance for greater versatility. All the models we’ve reviewed here – the spacious Emeril Lagasse, the crisp-focused Ninja, the versatile CHEFMAN, the quiet and fast COSORI, and the award-winning Typhur Dome 2 – offer unique advantages for achieving perfectly cooked, deliciously crispy chicken cutlets every time. No matter which you choose, you’re in for a treat! Enjoy your guilt-free, golden-brown delights!