Poke Your Air Fryer Chicken For The Crispiest Skin Imaginable
By Linda Larsen
There are all kinds of tips and tricks out there for getting the most out of your air fryer, like not overfilling it and making sure to shake the basket or rearrange the food when cooking is halfway done. But here's one you probably haven't heard of: Poke your chicken for the crispiest skin imaginable.
When you poke the chicken skin (dark meat only please), some of the fat beneath the skin's surface will ooze out as the chicken heats up. That fat is just what you need for a super flavorful, super crispy chicken skin.
Most air fryer recipes tell you to spray a bit of oil on the food to help it brown up and crisp. The natural fat under the skin of dark-meat chicken already helps create a crispy exterior and adding a little oil can further ensure crispness and the best results.