Our parmesan crusted chicken air fryer recipe with mayonnaise is a crispy way to bread breasts with Panko breadcrumbs for a delicious high protein meal. If you loved our air fryer frozen chicken, this is the best way to cook it from fresh fillets.
Mayonnaise chicken made as an air fryer recipe comes out way better than baked in the oven. In under 15 minutes you can create a fast dinner, or let your teens enjoy this as an after school snack. Packed with flavor and a cheesy crust this will quickly become a family favorite dish.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mayonnaise
If you want to add some more kick to the outside, make our Mexican Mayonnaise first, and use that!! With a bit of lime and seasoned salt, you can even add a bit of heat into the mix with red pepper flakes if you like. This is how you are going to get the breading to stick, and keep it uber moist.
If you cannot have mayo, this is How to Bread Chicken Without Eggs at all. There are a number of different options so everyone in your home can enjoy this. I would say that plain Greek yogurt is my favorite alternative but we list others there too.
Ninja Foodi Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
If you have only made Air Fryer Chicken Tenders No Breading, this is a fun way to add just a little pizazz but without a ton of gunk on the outside. Add as little or as much mayo and cheese as you like, or just a light brush.
You want to use 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts large, sliced in half so you get a thinner piece of chicken. You can use several smaller Chicken Tenderloins to coat, sliced in half so they are thinner is best.
How to Bread Chicken with Parmesan
You will want to add a bit of seasonings with a bit of minced garlic and cut the parmesan cheese with Panko bread crumbs so it gets super crispy. You can use Italian style or Panko.
To get it to stick and coat the outside of the meat you need Mayonnaise, eggs or yogurt. Regular or Sriracha mayo can be used. The latter of course is spicy but you can adjust that to however much you want, or use just a touch to add flavor.
Another idea is to use about half of that and fill the rest of the coating with crushed nuts like we do with our Almond Crusted Chicken!
I also like to use a bit of olive oil spray inside the air fryer basket so it doesn’t stick. I do suggest you flip the chicken halfway thru to get the perfect texture on the outside.
Can you use frozen chicken?
If you have only had air fryer frozen chicken tenders you could use those with the temp and timing listed in that recipe. You would have to wait until halfway thru to remove one at a time with tongs to brush with mayo and roll in the cheese and breadcrumbs to stick as much as possible. Then continue air frying.
Can you make this dairy free?
You could, there are lactose free options of cheese out there of all kinds I have found, Daiya is a great brand out there. You could skip that part entirely as well and just use the breadcrumbs and mayo with seasonings. Parmesan does have a very low amount of lactose compared to other cheeses though so keep that in mind.
How Long to Cook Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This whole air fryer chicken dinner will take about 30 minutes with preheating and prep, cook time and all. You want to preheat air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes first. Tpray inside with olive oil and lay coated pieces inside. Air fry for 6-7 minutes cooking time on each side until middle is no longer pink
How do you know when it’s done?
Remember when you are testing the temp that you lift it out of the hot basket first to get a really accurate read. Juices should run clear and chicken is cooked when inside reaches an internal temperature of 165 F in the thickest part.
Many times we will pair this with a salad or our Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts are just to die for together. You can print recipe at the bottom to keep it handy or just come back again and again!
FAQ
Yes, mayonnaise can help keep chicken moist when used as a coating or marinade. Mayo is made from eggs and oil, which provide moisture and fat to the chicken, helping to lock in juices during cooking.
Yes, Hellmans and Best Foods are the same company actually. The name just varies depending on where you live, typically this one is found in the Southern states. They taste the same, Miracle Whip does though. The difference in this one is that it has a vinegar like ting to it that you either love or dislike a lot. That one works too though if you prefer that style.
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 2 bowls or plates
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced in half so they are thinner is best or you can use chicken tenders to coat
- 5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- In a bowl stir together breadcrumbs, parmesan and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- In another bowl mix together mayonnaise and minced garlic. Rinse fillets and lay on paper towels to absorb the moisture on the outside.
- Brush mayo on the outside of each piece and dip into Panko mixture so it sticks nicely.
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Spray inside with olive oil and lay coated pieces inside.
- Air fry for 6-7 minutes on each side until middle is no longer pink, juices are clear, and reach 165 F in the thickest part.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken in the Oven
If you would rather bake these you can. I would follow these steps as far as coating the outsides. Then bake Chicken Breast in Oven 350 instead. You can use bone-in but boneless is faster, easier to eat, and you won’t loose a lot of your toppings removing the bones to enjoy this.
