Name: Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles (65g Protein)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 450 g chicken breasts; 1/3 cup gluten-free flour; 2 eggs; Cooking spray; 1 1/2 cups PEScience Protein Waffle Mix (use code BAILEY to save $$ on all products); 2 eggs; 1 cup water

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These air fryer chicken and waffles pair crispy gluten-free chicken tenders with fluffy protein waffles for a sweet-and-savory brunch with 65g of protein, ready in about 30 minutes.

Air fryer chicken and waffles on a white plate with maple syrup

Chicken and waffles is the brunch I order out every time, so I built a version at home that hits 65g of protein and skips the deep fryer entirely.

Air fryer chicken and waffles are crispy breaded chicken tenders cooked in the air fryer, stacked on fluffy protein waffles, and drizzled with maple syrup. Each plate has 65g of protein, it’s gluten free, and the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes. The air fryer works well here because you get the crunchy coating without a pot of oil, and the chicken stays juicy inside.

This is the part most chicken and waffles recipes skip. The waffles are made with protein, so instead of a sugar-crash brunch, you get a plate that actually keeps you full through the afternoon.

If you love an air fryer chicken recipe, try my Air Fryer Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders or my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Burgers next.

Stack of fluffy protein waffles for chicken and waffles

Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles

Two parts, the chicken and the waffles. Exact amounts and nutrition are in the recipe card at the bottom.

For the chicken:

Chicken breasts — Cut into tenders so they cook fast and crisp evenly.
Gluten-free breadcrumbs — The crunchy coating, seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Gluten-free flour and eggs — The flour and egg wash are what make the breadcrumbs grab on and stay crispy.
Cooking spray — A light spray on both sides is what crisps the coating without oil.

For the waffles:

Protein Waffle Mix — The shortcut to high-protein, gluten-free waffles. I used PEScience (use code BAILEY to save). You just add eggs and water. If you want to make your own protein waffles, use my recipe linked in the recipe card below.
Maple syrup — For serving. You can use a sugar-free version, but I think real maple syrup is worth it here.

Protein waffle batter in a white mixing bowl

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles

In a shallow dish, mix the gluten-free breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Put the gluten-free flour in a second dish and the whisked eggs in a third.
Dip each chicken tender in the flour, then the egg, then the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing so it’s fully coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes.
Spray the basket, lay the tenders in a single layer without crowding, and spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy, and the internal temp reaches 165°F. Add a minute or two if you like them extra crisp.
While the chicken cooks, make the waffles. Combine the waffle mix with eggs and water, then cook in a preheated waffle maker until golden.
Stack the chicken on the waffles and serve with maple syrup.

Breaded chicken tenders crisping in the air fryer basket

Tips For The Crispiest Chicken and Waffles

Preheat the air fryer. A hot basket is what gives you that even, golden crunch from the start.
Single layer, no crowding. Crowded tenders steam instead of crisping, so give them space and work in batches if you need to.
Double-dip for extra crunch. Run the tenders through the egg and breadcrumbs twice for a thicker, restaurant-style coating.
Check the temp. Pull the chicken when it hits 165°F in the center so it’s safe and still juicy.
Serve it hot and fresh. Waffles lose their crisp fast, so time the waffles to finish around the same time as the chicken.

Variations

Use chicken thighs — boneless skinless thighs are juicier. Adjust the time and check for 165°F.
Make it spicy — toss the hot tenders in buffalo sauce, or stir a little hot sauce into your maple syrup for a sweet-heat drizzle.
From-scratch waffles — skip the mix and make my Protein Waffles instead.
Waffle sandwiches — make mini waffles and sandwich a tender between two of them for a handheld brunch.
Frozen waffle shortcut — crisp up frozen waffles in the air fryer alongside the chicken when you’re short on time.

High protein chicken and waffles on a white plate with maple syrup

How To Serve Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles

Stack a tender or two on top of a waffle and drizzle the whole plate with warm maple syrup. For sweet and savory in one bite, add a little hot sauce or a sprinkle of flaky salt. This is a brunch centerpiece, but it’s just as good as breakfast-for-dinner on a weeknight when you want something that feels like a treat and still hits your protein.

How To Store Leftovers

Store the chicken and waffles separately so nothing goes soggy. Let everything cool, then keep them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back the crisp, use the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or pop the waffles in the toaster. The waffles also freeze well: lay them flat to freeze, then move them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months and toast straight from frozen.

Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles FAQ

What Internal Temperature Should The Chicken Reach?

Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F in the center. Use a meat thermometer on the thickest tender to be sure, since air fryers and tender sizes vary.

How Much Protein Is In This Chicken and Waffles?

Each serving has 65g of protein from the chicken breast and the protein waffles. That’s roughly double a classic chicken and waffles, which is what makes this one actually filling instead of a sugar crash.

Can You Make Chicken and Waffles Gluten Free?

Yes, and this whole recipe is. The chicken is breaded in gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour, and the PEScience waffle mix is gluten free, so the entire plate works for a gluten-free brunch.

Side angle of homemade air fryer chicken and waffles on white plate with maple syrup.

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Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles (65g Protein)

These air fryer chicken and waffles pair crispy gluten-free chicken tenders with fluffy protein waffles for a sweet-and-savory brunch with 65g of protein, ready in about 30 minutes.

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 564kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Ingredients

CHICKEN

¾ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
450 g chicken breasts
⅓ cup gluten-free flour
2 eggs
Cooking spray

WAFFLES

1 ½ cups PEScience Protein Waffle Mix use code BAILEY to save $$ on all products
2 eggs
1 cup water

Instructions

In a shallow dish, mix together your gluten-free bread crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and whisk them up. This egg wash is what will help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken, so don’t skip this step! And in a third bowl add the gluten-free flour.
Take each chicken tender, dip it in the gluten-free flour, then the egg wash, then coat it in your gluten-free breadcrumb mixture. Make sure it’s fully covered because we want that crunch all over.
Set your air fryer to 375 degrees F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them. Spray the tops of the tenders with a little more oil for extra crispiness.
Cook the tenders at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. When they are golden and crispy and have reached an internal temp of 165°F, they’re done! If you like them extra crispy (who doesn’t?), add an extra minute or two.
While chicken is cooking, prep the Waffle Mix. Combine the waffle mix, eggs and water in a medium bowl. Cook waffles in a waffle maker until golden brown.
Assemble the chicken and waffles and serve with maple syrup. Enjoy!

Notes

No Waffle Mix – Make your own from scratch with my easy Protein Waffles recipe, or just swap for your favorite frozen waffles.

Storage – Store the chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes or until crisp, or put the waffles in the toaster. The waffles also freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.

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