Air Fryer Chicken Gizzards (2024)

These Air Fryer Chicken Gizzards are simmered until soft, battered in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then finished in the air fryer. The results are crisp and juicy morsels of an underrated and delicious piece of meat.

Curious about air frying chicken gizzards? These easy-to-follow instructions are here to answer any questions and guide you along the way. Once finished, you’ll be an expert on tenderizing gizzards, breading gizzards, and “frying” gizzards in your air fryer.

The best part? This chicken gizzard-making method guarantees success. Served hot out of the air fryer, these chicken gizzards are crispy on the outside and soft & juicy in the center!

Air frying is the best way to keep those gizzards from going to waste and serve them so that everyone will be asking for seconds!

🗨 What are chicken gizzards?

If you are new to chicken gizzards, let’s go over the basics -but please don’t let the description deter you from giving gizzards a shot. They’re a delicacy in some cultures and delicious! That said, the chicken gizzard is a tiny muscle in the digestive tract that grinds food before moving it along to the chicken’s stomach.

The flavor of gizzards is similar to dark meat but with a more profound meaty and pleasantly gamey flavor. Like all delicate organ meats, they can be chewy, but when prepared properly, they are finger-lickin’ good!

I should add chicken gizzards are a nutrient-dense powerhouse packed with protein. Air fryer chicken gizzards are just like popcorn chicken but with an added hefty dose of vitamins and minerals!

❤ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tenderizing chicken gizzards can be tricky, but these are simmered low and slow to soften them before they hit the air fryer.
They taste like crispy popcorn chicken, but with the added excellence and nutritional value of organ proteins.
Cooking chicken gizzards in the air fryer is a great way to fight food waste and try something new!

🐔 Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken gizzards – You can use the gizzards from a whole chicken, or they can be purchased by the pound.
All-purpose flour – Flour seasoned with salt and black pepper is the first layer of the breading. It gives the egg wash a surface to stick to.
Egg – After flour, the gizzards are dipped in an egg wash, which gives the bread crumbs something to adhere to.
Seasoned Bread Crumbs – The final layer of the breading that creates the delicious crunchy crust.

📖 How To MakeChicken Gizzards In The Air Fryer

1️⃣ Simmer chicken gizzards. Add the gizzards to a medium-size pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil, then immediately lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes to tenderize.

2️⃣ Dry chicken gizzards. Use a slotted spoon to remove the gizzards from the water and transfer them to a plate. Pat the pieces completely dry with a paper towel.

3️⃣ Preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F, and let preheat for 3-5 minutes.

4️⃣ Set up your breading stations. Meanwhile, assemble the dredging station in three medium mixing bowls. In the first bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the egg until thoroughly beaten. Finally, in the third bowl, add the seasoned bread crumbs.

5️⃣ Bread chicken gizzards. Add the gizzards to the dry flour mixture and toss to coat. Next, dip the gizzards into the egg, and finally, dredge the pieces in the seasoned bread crumbs, coating them in an even layer.

6️⃣ Cook and serve. Place the breaded gizzards in a single layer at the bottom of the preheated air fryer basket. Set the timer for 20 minutes. Use tongs to flip the pieces at the halfway mark and continue cooking for the remaining 10 minutes (or until crispy and cooked through).

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Tips

After cleaning, cut the chicken gizzards into the same size so they cook at the same rate.
Preheating your air fryer is important. This is because the breading begins to cook on contact creating extra crispy chicken gizzards.
Do not overcrowd your air fryer. Instead, arrange the gizzards in a single layer so the breading crisps evenly.
Use tongs to flip the delicate gizzards halfway through cooking. If you shake the basket, the breading may fall off.

🍽 Flavor Variations and Serving Suggestions

Switch up the flavor using plain bread crumbs and add your own seasonings. Check out the list below for flavors that pair well with chicken gizzards.

Cajun or Creole Seasoning
Mushroom Salt
Italian Seasoning
Old Bay
Everything Bagel
Poultry Seasoning
Dry Ranch Seasoning

Now that you’re an expert on air fryer chicken gizzards let’s discuss serving! These crispy chicken gizzards are snackable finger food that pairs well with other comforting air fryer recipes like:

🧊 Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once cooked, chicken gizzards are best kept in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoyed within 2-3 days.

Freezing: To freeze cooked chicken gizzards, let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet and set it in the freezer until the gizzards are firm. Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2-3 months.

❔ FAQ

Can I cook frozen chicken gizzards in the air fryer?

No. The breading elements will not stick if the meat is frozen. If your gizzards are frozen, it’s best to thaw them in the fridge before simmering. Simmering the gizzards directly from frozen is also an option, but they must be simmered for an extra 15-30 minutes.

How do you reheat chicken gizzards in the air fryer?

To reheat chicken gizzards, so they’re crispy, preheat your air fryer to 375F while the gizzards come to room temperature. Then, reheat for 3-4 minutes.

What is the proper way to clean chicken gizzards?

Gizzards should be rinsed and cleaned before use. So use a shape knife or poultry shears to carefully cut away the thick membrane and trim any excess fat and gristle. Then, chop it into similar size pieces.

How do you know when chicken gizzards are done?

Chicken gizzards are done when the internal temperature is 165F and the meat is soft and tender. You can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

🍗 More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Chicken Meatballs
Chicken Nuggets
Homemade Popcorn Chicken
Shake and Bake Chicken

👩🏻‍🍳 Did You Enjoy This Recipe? 💗

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Air Fryer Chicken Gizzards

Preparing crisp and juicy "fried" chicken gizzards has never been easier! This fuss-free recipe makes a batch of breaded air-fried chicken gizzards that are crunchy on the outside and moist in the middle. Great for snacks, apps, and a high-protein main course.

3.75 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Boiling Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 2 one-cup servings

Calories: 838kcal

Author: Valerie Skinner

Equipment

air fryer Ninja, NuWave, PowerXL, etc.
medium saucepan
slotted spoon
3 medium mixing bowls

Ingredients

1 pound chicken gizzards
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg

Instructions

Add the gizzards to a medium-size pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes to soften.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the gizzards from the water and transfer them to a plate. Pat the pieces completely dry with a paper towel.
Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F, and let preheat for 3-5 minutes.
Meanwhile, assemble the dredging station in three medium mixing bowls. In the first bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the egg until completely beaten. In the third bowl, add the seasoned bread crumbs.
To bread the gizzards, first add them to the dry flour mixture and toss to coat. Next, dip the gizzards into the egg, coating completely. Finally, dredge the gizzards in the seasoned bread crumb, coating the pieces in an even layer.
Place the breaded gizzards in a single layer at the bottom of the preheated air fryer basket. Set the timer for 20 minutes. Use tongs to flip the pieces at the halfway mark and continue cooking for the remaining 10 minutes (or until crispy and cooked through).

Nutrition