↑
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
    • Career
    • Home Living
    • Nutrition
    • Pets
    • Pregnancy + Motherhood
    • Skin Care
    • Travel
  • SAFER SKINCARE
  • CONTACT

What Great Grandma Ate

because the food you love should love you back!

Don't miss the latest Recipes, tips and more!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30) – Oven Method Included!

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30) – Oven Method Included!

Last Updated on November 13, 2019 by Jean Choi 26 Comments

30
LC
NF
P
W3
3.5K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

Easy and extra crunchy air fryer keto popcorn chicken that’s perfect for a snack or a meal! It also happens to be Whole30-friendly and you can make it in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer!

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken

I’ve been in love with my air fryer recently. I use it almost everyday to reheat leftovers, cook veggies, and crisp up meat pieces. I’m just so obsessed with how delicious and crispy the results are at a fraction of the time of the oven or the stovetop!

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken Recipe

My latest delicious creation in the air fryer is this ultra crispy and flavorful keto popcorn chicken. This is so crunchy and delicious, covered in spices like paprika, garlic, and onion powder. It’s a great snack or meal for both kids and adults!

Best of all, this recipe is Whole30 friendly and paleo as well, and it’s a healthy alternative to a childhood favorite dish!

No Air Fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries! You can make these in the oven. They won’t turn out as crispy as an air fryer would make them, but they’ll still be flavorful and yummy. I included both directions under the instructions for the recipe.

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken
Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken

Pork Panko for Keto Popcorn Chicken

What makes this recipe keto and low carb is the use of pork panko instead of breadcrumbs or other types of flour. I only recently discovered pork panko, and it’s my new favorite thing. It’s just so perfect to use as breading for fried crispy recipes like this air fryer keto popcorn.

Pork panko is just ground up pork rinds and that’s the only ingredient. No salt or extra oil added! So it’s a delicious high protein, low carb way to add a crunchy texture to a recipe.

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken

Best Sauce for Dipping

You can of course enjoy this air fryer keto popcorn chicken with any sauce you prefer, like ranch, ketchup, tartar sauce, or teriyaki sauce. However, my absolute favorite is with my Whole30 “Honey” Mustard! There’s something so delicious about that tart and slightly sweet flavor with the popcorn chicken.

How to Reheat Leftovers

The best way to eat these keto popcorn chicken is to eat it as soon as it’s cooked for that crispy outer layer with the juicy chicken meat inside. You definitely can reheat them, but the texture won’t be the same because the chicken breast meat will dry out a bit the 2nd time around.

However, I have eaten the leftovers and here’s my favorite way to reheat them so they taste ALMOST as good as the first time around:

  • Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • When ready to reheat, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes.
  • Place keto popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket in a SINGLE LAYER (work in batches if you need to) for 4-5 minutes until they are crispy again.
  • Enjoy!

I wouldn’t reheat them more than once, because the chicken will dry out too much.

This keto popcorn chicken is my new favorite air fryer recipe, so let me know how they turn out for you in the comments!

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken

Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30) – Oven Method Included!

Easy and extra crunchy air fryer keto popcorn chicken that’s perfect for a snack or a meal! It also happens to be Whole30-friendly and you can make it in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 263kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups pork panko
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine coconut flour, sea salt, and ground black pepper.
  • In another bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together.
  • In the 3rd bowl, mix together pork panko, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
  • Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle the coconut flour mixture over the chicken and toss together gently until all of the chicken is covered evenly.
  • Working in batches, dredge the chicken pieces in the egg wash. 
  • Shake off the excess and press into the pork panko mixture. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the chicken.

Air Fryer Method

  • Lightly grease the air fryer basket, then preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the chicken into the air fryer basket in an even layer. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to split it up into 2 batches. 
  • Cook for 10-12 minutes in the air fryer, shaking halfway through.
  • If you’d like, enjoy dipped in Whole30 “honey” mustard!

Oven Method

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
  • Place the chicken pieces on the wire rack without touching each other.
  • Bake for 15 minutes until crispy and golden.
  • If you’d like, enjoy dipped in Whole30 “honey” mustard!
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30) – Oven Method Included!
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 263 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 198mg66%
Sodium 461mg20%
Potassium 474mg14%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 2g8%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 380IU8%
Vitamin C 1.4mg2%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


3.5K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly

By Jean Choi | February 27, 2019

Comments

  1. Terry says

    February 28, 2019 at 6:37 am

    Can you post a link to your favorite air fryer? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      February 28, 2019 at 8:38 am

      This is the one I have: https://amzn.to/2BTbLRF

      Reply
  2. Chelsea says

    March 4, 2019 at 7:51 am

    These look so good! I LOVE the idea of using pork rinds as panko “breadcrumbs”. This is definitely on my list to try!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl says

    March 4, 2019 at 8:59 am

    5 stars
    This looks FANTASTIC! Great snack option!

    Reply
  4. Raia says

    March 4, 2019 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    Those look tasty and very kid-friendly. 😉

    Reply
  5. Joni says

    March 4, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    I’m dying to try this!! I need to get my hands on an air fryer!

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    March 4, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    You’re inspiring me to want to get an air fryer. This looks super delicious!

    Reply
  7. Renee says

    March 5, 2019 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    This looks so crispy! This might just be the recipe that puts me over the edge to make the decision to buy an air fryer!

    Reply
    • Dan says

      March 6, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      Make sure you don’t have an oven with a convection setting first, it’s the same thing as an air fryer! I just checked this morning and saved myself the expense!

      Reply
  8. STACEY says

    March 5, 2019 at 8:47 am

    5 stars
    This is perfect! I have an air fryer that I have not used yet. Was looking for something to try in it.

    Reply
  9. Tessa says

    March 5, 2019 at 9:25 am

    5 stars
    Creative use of ingredients to make a classic favorite better for you! Yum!

    Reply
  10. paleoglutenfreeguy says

    March 6, 2019 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    These look addictive! An air fryer is probably worth it just to make these.

    Reply
  11. Zuzana says

    March 9, 2019 at 2:25 am

    5 stars
    O my,
    I just so wish to have Air Fryer

    Reply
  12. Megan Stevens says

    March 9, 2019 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    Wow Jean!!! These look amazing!! I so want to eat one now. This recipe may finally make me get an air fryer!! (YUMMY!!!)

    Reply
  13. chihyu says

    March 9, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    5 stars
    That looks so delicious! Totally love it!

    Reply
  14. Hope says

    March 9, 2019 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    I so need to get an air fryer! These looks so crispy and tasty!

    Reply
  15. Anne says

    March 10, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! this looks so good I love my air fryer too – and I’m going to have check out that pork panko, I’ve never heard of it.

    Reply
  16. Mimi says

    March 11, 2019 at 3:26 am

    5 stars
    I can only imagine how crunchy this popcorn chicken is – it looks amazing! And definitely something I would enjoy in the evening and to please my guests… and myself!

    Reply
  17. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says

    March 11, 2019 at 6:17 am

    5 stars
    These look absolutely amazing, like my best chicken nugget dream! I’ve been trying to order some pork panko, but it’s always sold out, and it’s easy to see why with that crunch!

    Reply
  18. Lindsay Marie Ramirez says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:07 am

    Do we have to use coconut flour or can we leave out that bit?

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      July 10, 2019 at 11:02 am

      That’s what makes the eggs and panko stick. You can try it with another type of flour that you like.

      Reply
  19. Leigha McLendon says

    September 25, 2019 at 8:41 am

    In the nutrition facts, it doesn’t mention how much a serving is.
    Can you tell me how much is a serving?
    I’m eager to try this recipe!
    I just got my air fryer and I know my family would appreciate some popcorn chicken, and with it being 1 net carb per serving, I can enjoy it too!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      September 27, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      The entire recipe makes 6 servings so I would divide it into 6 to find out how much 1 serving is. Enjoy!

      Reply
  20. Jeff Kerner says

    February 2, 2020 at 9:47 am

    My guess is, it’s a bit like saying, “How long is a ‘piece’ of string?” It depends on how big your chicken breasts are. Smaller chicken breasts will yeild a smaller individual portion. On the other hand, if you’ve got Godzilla-sized chicken breasts, your portions will be bigger. I think the question that the OP should have asked was, “What was the portion size used to obtain the displayed Nutrition Facts?” I’d like to know, too!

    I just ordered the coconut flour & pork panko, and I look forward to trying this! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  21. Paula says

    January 2, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Hi, what would you use to replace the prok grinds?

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      January 4, 2021 at 9:20 am

      You can try almond flour, or if you aren’t keto – crushed up chips or crackers will also work!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

Instant Pot Favorites

The BEST Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Paleo, Whole30) + Stove Top Option

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)

Instant Pot Butter Chicken served with rice and naan

Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Dairy Free, Whole30, Keto) – Quick & Easy!

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)

Don't miss the latest Recipes, tips and more!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

©2023, What Great Grandma Ate. Privacy and Disclosure Policy/ Site by Pixel Me Designs