Enjoy this brunch favorite at home! Spicy cayenne maple syrup makes the perfect topping for air-fried crispy chicken thighs and homemade cinnamon waffles.
About a year ago I developed this Nashville-Style hot chicken recipe and it came out so good, the perfect mix of spicy, sweet and crispy. My boyfriend loves getting chicken and waffles at brunch, so I decided to recreate it at home while we're in quarantine.
I mean who doesn't like fried chicken?! Using the air fryer for this recipe cuts down on the oil used and makes this recipe a tiny bit healthier than traditional chicken and waffles. Just look at how crispy the chicken is! You will love it.
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Equipment
I use the 6qt. air fryer from Nuwave and love it, it works really well. Honestly, I was skeptical when I purchased this, wondering if it was worth the space it took up in my apartment that has no storage. I can say it was 100% worth it, I use it at least once a week, if not more.
For the waffles, I used a mini waffle maker I got at Target. It makes the cutest waffles, is cheap and takes up no space when stored. Of course, you can use any waffle maker for this recipe.
Alternative Cooking Method
If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make this recipe in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake on a baking sheet for 20-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Ingredients
What you need for the chicken:
- Chicken thighs- you want bone-in, skin on chicken for this recipe.
- Milk- I used oat milk because it's what I had on hand, but any non-dairy, dairy milk or buttermilk will work.
- Flour- all-purpose flour, gluten-free flour, either will be great.
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Thyme
- Cayenne
What you need for the waffles:
- Flour- I used all-purpose, but use gluten-free if necessary.
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Eggs
- Maple syrup
- Milk
What you need for the maple butter sauce:
- Butter
- Maple syrup
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
Instructions
Chicken
Marinate or brine chicken in salt, pepper and milk for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight.
Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F.
Mix flour and spices in a medium-sized bowl or container, then dip a piece of chicken in the flour mixture, making sure it is coated on all sides.
Air fry for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through (time depends on your individual air fryer).
Waffles
Add all waffle ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until combined and batter is smooth.
Preheat waffle maker and once ready, spray with cooking spray. Add about ¼-1/3 cup of waffle mix to the waffle maker (depending on the size of your waffle maker) and cook until slightly browned on both sides.
Maple Butter Sauce
Add butter, maple syrup and spices to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low until butter is melted, stirring to combine. Turn off heat.
Assembly
Serve 1-2 waffles with 1-2 pieces of chicken and pour maple butter sauce on top. Enjoy!
Toppings
I highly recommend the maple butter sauce recipe but you can use regular maple syrup if you prefer.
You can also make your own hot honey by combining honey with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes or buy pre-made hot honey.
Storage
The chicken can be stored in the fridge for a few days and reheated in the air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness. Waffles can be stored in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for a few months, similar to store-bought waffles.
More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
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Recipe
Air-Fried Hot Chicken & Waffles
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken thighs bone-in skin on
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup milk of choice optional to use buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free (if needed)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
Waffles
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free (if needed)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup milk of choice
- cooking spray
Maple Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
Chicken
- Marinate or brine chicken in salt, pepper and milk for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Mix flour and spices in a medium-sized bowl, then dip a piece of chicken in the flour mixture making sure it is coated on all sides.
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through (time depends on your individual air fryer, check to ensure it isn't burnt and internal temperature is 165 degrees F).
Waffles
- Add all waffle ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until combined and batter is smooth.
- Preheat waffle maker and once ready, spray with cooking spray. Add about ¼-1/3 cup of waffle mix to the waffle maker and cook until slightly browned on both sides. Continue until all of the mix has been used*
Maple Butter Sauce
- Add butter, maple syrup and spices to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low until butter is melted, stirring to combine. Turn off heat.
Assembly
- Serve 1-2 waffles with 1-2 pieces of chicken and pour maple butter sauce on top. Enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment. I love to know what you are making and ratings help me to create more delicious recipes for you!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Erika says
Hot chicken sandwiches are one of my favorites. I can never get enough spicy food! This chicken has the perfect amount of spice and is so delicious.
Sarah Holt says
Thanks Erika! I love anything spicy
Beth says
I love my air fryer! Can't wait to try these chicken and waffles! The combination of flavors is so intriguing!
Sarah Holt says
I love my air fryer too!
Laura says
I can't believe how crispy the chicken comes out in the air fryer. It's so much easier to make and way less splatter!
Sarah Holt says
So much easier in the air fryer! So perfectly crispy
Erica Schwarz says
I was literally wondering yesterday if I could fry chicken in the air fryer. So excited to give your recipe a try - I LOVE chicken and waffles.
Sarah Holt says
you can fry almost anything in the air fryer!
Katherine says
This is such a flavor bomb, with crispy air fried chicken on cinnamon waffles. Cinnamon is a genius addition.
Sarah Holt says
I love cinnamon, always add it when I can!