Air Fryer Chicken And Waffles (Protein Recipe)

Crispy air fryer chicken tenders paired with fluffy protein waffles make the ultimate gluten-free brunch. Packed with flavor and protein, this meal is guilt-free deliciousness!

Okay, friends, get ready because we’re about to take brunch to a whole new level of fabulous with Air Fryer Chicken and Protein Waffles! 

This isn’t just any basic chicken and waffles situation—oh no, we’re serving up crispy, juicy air-fried chicken tenders paired with fluffy, protein-packed waffles. 

And the best part? It’s gluten-free, guilt-free, and absolutely delicious. So, you can totally feel like a brunch boss without the post-brunch food coma.

Let’s be real, chicken and waffles is the ultimate sweet and savory combo. But we’re making it healthy-ish without sacrificing any of that flavor-packed goodness. 

Crispy, golden gluten-free chicken tenders paired with protein waffles? Yes, please! 

Whether you’re brunchin’ with the crew or treating yourself (because you deserve it), this recipe is about to become your new favorite. Let’s dive into this waffle wonderland!

If you love air fryer recipes you may also enjoy my Air Fryer Chicken Sausage or my Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Wings.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE AIR FRYER CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Protein-Packed Goodness: Thanks to the protein powder in the waffles, this meal is basically brunch with benefits. You get the indulgence of chicken and waffles with a protein boost to keep you going strong!

Crispy Meets Fluffy: The combination of crispy air fryer chicken tenders and fluffy gluten-free waffles is chef’s kiss. It’s everything you want in a brunch, without the deep fryer and wheat belly.

Guilt-Free Brunch Vibes: This meal is totally gluten-free, packed with protein, and air-fried, so you can feel great about diving in. No post-brunch nap needed (unless you want one, no judgment here).

Quick and Easy: The air fryer makes this recipe super quick and fuss-free. You can whip this up for an easy brunch at home, and no one will believe you didn’t order it from some fancy brunch spot.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE AIR FRYER WAFFLE AND CHICKEN RECIPE

You will need this full list of ingredients listed below to make this ultimate comfort food (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs
• Large eggs 
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Sea salt and black pepper
• Olive oil spray 
• Gluten-free flour 
• Baking powder 
• Vanilla protein powder 
• Unsweetened almond milk 
• Melted coconut oil 

HOW TO MAKE THE AIR FRYER CHICKEN AND WAFFLES RECIPE

In a shallow dish, mix together your gluten-free bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This is your flour mixture and is where the crunch magic starts!

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. 

Set your air fryer to 400 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—give each tender its space to shine! Spray the tops of the tenders with a little more oil for extra crispiness.

Cook the tenders at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. When they’re golden and crispy, they’re done! If you like them extra crispy (who doesn’t?), add an extra minute or two.

While the chicken bites are cooking start making your waffles. Preheat your waffle maker and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, protein powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk and melted coconut oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.

Pour batter onto the preheated waffle maker, leaving about an inch of batter away from the edge, and cook for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve the waffles with the hot chicken and serve with sweet maple syrup. Enjoy!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Always preheat your air fryer for the crispiest chicken tenders. A hot air fryer ensures even cooking and that golden, crunchy coating we all love.
• Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can cause them to steam instead of crisping up—give them room to shine!
• Make sure your protein waffle batter is smooth before pouring into the waffle iron. Lumps can affect the texture, so whisk until combined!
• Let the waffles cook until they’re golden and slightly crispy on the edges for that perfect texture. Don’t rush it—waffle perfection takes time.
• For even crunchier chicken tenders, double-dip them in the egg wash and breadcrumbs before air frying. You’ll get that restaurant-style crisp without the oil!
• For the best flavor and texture, serve the chicken and waffles as soon as they’re done. Nothing beats fresh, crispy chicken tenders and hot, fluffy waffles!

STORING LEFTOVER HOMEMADE WAFFLES

To store your leftover homemade protein waffles, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag. You can refrigerate them for up to 3 days. 

For longer storage, freeze them by laying the waffles flat on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

To reheat, pop them in the toaster or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes for that crispy, fresh-made texture!

FAQS

WHAT INTERNAL TEMPERATURE SHOULD MY CHICKEN REACH?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe eating. This is crucial to ensure that your chicken cooks all the way through.

CAN I USE SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGHS FOR THIS RECIPE?

Yes! Skinless chicken thighs work great and add extra juiciness. The cooking time may vary slightly, so use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches the correct internal temperature.

HOW DO I KEEP THE CHICKEN CRISPY AFTER AIR FRYING?

Place the coated chicken on a wire rack after air frying to keep it crispy while you finish cooking the remaining chicken. This prevents the tenders from getting soggy.

CAN I MAKE MINI WAFFLES OR WAFFLE SANDWICHES?

Absolutely! Whip up some mini waffles and turn them into waffle sandwiches by placing a piece of chicken between two waffles. Drizzle with syrup or even some hot sauce for a sweet and spicy kick!

Other Air Fryer Easy Recipes You May Enjoy!

• Air Fryer Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
• Low Carb Tortilla Pizza Recipe
• Air Fryer Steak French Fries
• Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers (Quick And Juicy)
• Air Fryer Tortilla Garlic Bread
• Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Fries
• Air Fryer Bacon
• Frozen Cauliflower Wings In The Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
• Air Fryer Queso Pinwheels
• 30 Low Carb Air Fryer Recipes

IF YOU TRIED THIS DELICIOUS COMFORT FOOD PLEASE LEAVE IT A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS EASY RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails