Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Patties

Enjoy extra crispy frozen chicken patties in the air fryer in little time. It’s the perfect quick lunch or dinner option for the whole family!

Cooking frozen foods in the air fryer is one of my favorite shortcuts, especially on busy weeknights. At our house, we use it for everything from hot dogs to mozzarella sticks—it’s a lifesaver when the kids are starving and I need something fast that still feels homemade.

What Are Chicken Patties?

Chicken patties are basically ground-up chicken pressed into a patty shape, breaded, cooked, and then frozen.

When you pick them up at the store, they’re already fully cooked—so the air fryer’s job is to heat them through and crisp up the outside. I often describe them to friends as the lazy cook’s breaded chicken breast.

Personally, I like to keep a box or two in the freezer at all times. They’ve rescued me more than once when we came back late from soccer practice and everyone was “starving.” It’s a lot easier than pan-frying from scratch, and they always get eaten with zero complaints.

How to Cook Air Fryer Chicken Patties

Here’s how I do it in my kitchen:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. I know some people skip this, but preheating is the secret to getting that even, all-over crisp.
• Place the frozen patties in a single layer—don’t overcrowd them. If I’m making several for a crowd, I do them in batches.
• Cook for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’ll see them turn that beautiful golden brown.
• If you want toasted buns (we always do), pop them in for 1–2 minutes at the end.

Honestly, it feels fancy for a 10-minute dinner, and everyone’s happy.

How to Melt Cheese on Top of a Chicken Patty

This is my favorite trick—I use it constantly.

If you’ve ever tried to melt cheese on anything in an air fryer while it’s running, you know the slice tends to fly right off. Instead, here’s what I do:

• After cooking the patty, place it on a bun (if you’re using one) and set it back in the air fryer basket.
• Turn the air fryer completely off.
• Lay the slice of cheese on top.
• Close the air fryer and let it sit for 30–60 seconds.

The residual heat gently melts the cheese so it’s perfectly gooey without blowing away. I swear by this for cheeseburgers too. Pepper jack is my go-to for a little kick, but cheddar, provolone, or even American cheese all work beautifully.

How to Reheat a Chicken Patty in the Air Fryer

This is one of the best things about the air fryer: reheating.

I’m not a fan of rubbery, soggy microwave leftovers, and with kids who never finish everything the first time, this comes in handy.

• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
• Pop the leftover patties in and heat for 3–5 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again.
• If you want, toast the buns and melt the cheese just like you did the first time.

It tastes just as good as fresh. In fact, I sometimes make extra on purpose because they reheat so well for lunch the next day.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few personal tips I’ve picked up:

• Don’t skip the preheat—it really does make a difference.
• For extra crunch, you can give the patties a light spritz of oil before cooking, though they crisp up nicely without it.
• If you’re making sandwiches for picky eaters, set up a little topping station. My kids love building their own with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and whatever sauce is in the fridge.
• These patties also work great sliced up over a salad if you want something lighter.

Make Ahead Tips

While you can’t really prep frozen chicken patties ahead (since they’re already made), I like to think ahead by keeping a box or two in the freezer.

Whenever there’s a good sale, I stock up. It’s my “break glass in case of emergency” dinner option.

If you’re making sandwiches for a crowd—like a casual weekend get-together—you can cook them all in batches, then keep them warm in a low oven while you toast the buns and prep toppings.

Serving Suggestions

We love turning these air-fried chicken patties into full sandwiches with:

• Lettuce, tomato, and onion for a classic vibe
• Pepper jack and jalapeños for a spicy twist
• A smear of mayo or honey mustard for extra flavor
• Even barbecue sauce when we’re feeling adventurous

They also make great wraps—just slice them and roll them up in a tortilla with whatever veggies you have.

I’ve even served them on top of rice with some steamed broccoli for a super fast “fake-out takeout” meal.

Storage

If you have leftovers (it happens occasionally), let the patties cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

I always recommend reheating in the air fryer to get that crispy texture back—it only takes a few minutes.

For buns, I just leave them at room temperature in a breadbox or airtight bag. They’ll dry out in the fridge.

FAQs

Do I need to spray them with oil?
Nope! They crisp up beautifully without it, but a light spritz can add even more crunch if that’s your thing.

Can I cook multiple patties at once?
Yes—just make sure they’re in a single layer. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.

What’s the best cheese for these?
Totally personal! I love pepper jack for the heat, but cheddar, Swiss, or American all work well.

Can I use the same method for vegan patties?
Absolutely. I use this exact method for Morningstar patties and other veggie brands.

How do you keep the bun from getting soggy?
A quick toast in the air fryer keeps it sturdy and delicious, even with all the toppings.

Try other recipes:

• Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie
• Air Fryer Chicken Livers
• Air Fryer Chicken Fries