If you love that popular Southern Chicken and Waffles, I have a special treat for you. My homemade Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles recipe is absolutely incredible!
Smothered in maple syrup, the flavors of crispy fried chicken and fluffy gluten free waffles all blend into an amazing recipe. Even better, you can make it two ways, in the air fryer or fried!
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When we lived in Texas, before going gluten free, one of our very favorites was fried chicken and waffles. There is something to be said for the sweet syrup and savory crispy chicken that just worked together.
I wanted to re-create this recipe, but I really wanted to use my air fryer to keep the fat and calories lower. My whole family loved this air fryer chicken and waffles recipe! I include pan-frying directions for those who don't have an air fryer, you can also make your chicken in the oven using my gluten free oven-fried chicken recipe.
Why this gluten free chicken and waffles recipe is so good:
Crispy gluten free chicken and light and fluffy waffles...who can resist? This recipe is really quick to make, you can make the gluten free buttermilk waffles while the chicken is cooking in the air fryer!
If you love chicken as much as we do, you will want to check out ALL of my delicious gluten free chicken recipes. If you plan to deep fry your chicken, my easy Gluten Free Fried Chicken recipe is another must-make recipe and it gets rave reviews.
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free flour - You can use any blend for the chicken coating, and you do not need to add any xanthan gum. For the gluten free waffles, I tested Better Batter Artisinal Blend Flour and King Arthur Measure For Measure.
- Gluten free bread crumbs - It is so easy to make your own homemade gluten free bread crumbs. (It is also a lot cheaper!) If you prefer store-bought, I like both Ians and Schar brands.
- Chicken - I used chicken breasts but you can use any boneless cut of chicken.
- Buttermilk - Buttermilk adds a level of flavor. You can make your own by adding 1 TBSP of lemon juice to 1 cup milk. If you are dairy-free, use regular unsweetened unflavored non-dairy milk.
Recipe step by step air fryer directions:
Step 1: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and Srirarcha. In a second bowl, add the gluten free flour and seasonings. Lastly, in a third bowl, add your gluten free bread crumbs.
Step 2: Cut the chicken breasts into strips lengthwise. Dip in the gluten free flour mixture.
Step 3: Next, dip the flour-coated chicken into the egg mixture and then into the bread crumbs. Preheat your air fryer to 370º F.
Step 4: Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken into the basket. Spray the top of the chicken with oil.
Step 5: I really like my 8 qt. Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, but if you are looking for a less expensive air fryer, I also like my Corsori Air Fryer. I do recommend getting the 5.8 qt if you have a family of four because the Corsori 3.4 qt is small.
Set the chicken to cook for 15 minutes at 370º F. At the 7 minute mark, open the air fryer and very gently flip the chicken to cook the other side for an additional 8 minutes. Actual cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces. Make sure the internal temperature reads 165º F to know your chicken is cooked.
Step 6: While the chicken is cooking, let's make the gluten free buttermilk waffles. Preheat your waffle iron. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
Add the wet ingredients to a bowl and whisk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to remove all lumps.
Step 7: Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes. Use a ladle to scoop batter into the hot waffle maker. Cook for 4-5 minutes (cook time varies a bit by what brand waffle maker you use.)
Step 8: Remove the waffle from the waffle iron and stack fried chicken on top. Drizzle with maple syrup. Many like to use spicy maple syrup to top their chicken and waffles. If you do, give this spicy maple syrup recipe a try!
Pan-frying directions:
- To pan-fry or deep fry your chicken, you will need to heat high heat oil in a Dutch oven or 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil to 375º F.
- Coat the chicken the same as you would if you were air frying it.
- Carefully place the chicken into the hot oil. Cook for 4 minutes on each side. (*Note, actual cooking time will vary depending on how large your coated chicken pieces are.)
- Remove the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. Check for an internal temperature of 165º F.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
You can definitely use frozen waffles. I really like gluten free waffles by Vans, Kashi, and Trader Joe's (wheat-free).
You need to use an oil that can tolerate high heat. My favorite is avocado oil, but canola is also a good oil. Do NOT use olive oil as it will get rancid in high heat.
I love to eat corn on the cob with my chicken and waffles. You can also have baked potatoes or my Brown Sugar Cinnamon Carrots.
This chicken and waffles will keep fresh in the refrigerator up to 4 days. It will lose its crispiness so I don't recommend storing it long. You can recrisp the gluten free waffles in the toaster and the chicken in the oven at 325º F for 15 minutes.
More gluten free chicken recipes:
- The Best Instant Pot Chicken Stew
- My Grandma's Homemade Chicken Soup
- Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
- Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
I LOVE hearing from you!! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest to see even more delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles
Ingredients
For Gluten Free Air Fried Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless
- ⅓ cup gluten free flour * see note
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk * see note
- ½ teaspoon sriracha
- 3 tablespoons light oil for spraying chicken
For Gluten Free Waffles
- 1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend * see note
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ⅔ cups buttermilk * see note
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup canola oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and Srirarcha. In a second bowl, add the gluten free flour and seasonings. Lastly, in a third bowl, add your gluten free bread crumbs.
- Cut the chicken breasts into strips lengthwise. Dip in the gluten free flour mixture.
- Next, dip the flour-coated chicken into the egg mixture and then into the bread crumbs. Preheat your air fryer to 370º F.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken into the basket. Spray the top of the chicken with oil.
- Set the chicken to cook for 15 minutes at 370º F. At the 7 minute mark, open the air fryer and very gently flip the chicken to cook the other side for an additional 8 minutes. (Actual cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces.)
- While the chicken is cooking, let's make the gluten free buttermilk waffles. Preheat your waffle iron. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
- Add the wet ingredients to a bowl and whisk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to remove all lumps.
- Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes. Use a ladle to scoop batter into the hot waffle maker. Cook for 4-5 minutes (cook time varies a bit by what brand waffle maker you use.)
- Remove the waffle from the waffle iron and stack fried chicken on top. Drizzle with maple syrup. Many like to use spicy maple syrup to top their chicken and waffles. See note for a spicy syrup recipe.
Notes
- For the chicken, you can use any gluten free flour. You do not need xanthan gum.
- For the waffles, I tested Better Batter Artisinal Blend and King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure flours. If your flour blend doesn't contain xanthan gum, you will need to add some.
- If you do not have buttermilk, you can make it by mixing 1 cup milk to 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- This recipe will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator, but note it will lose its crispiness.
Pan-frying directions:
- To pan-fry or deep fry your chicken, you will need to heat high heat oil in a Dutch oven or 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil to 375º F.
- Coat the chicken the same as you would if you were air frying it.
- Carefully place the chicken into the hot oil. Cook for 4 minutes on each side. (*Note, actual cooking time will vary depending on how large your coated chicken pieces are.)
- Be sure to use an oil that is good for high heat. I like to use avocado and canola oils. Do NOT use olive oil because it gets rancid in high heat.
- Remove the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. Check for an internal temperature of 165º F.
Nutrition
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Bonnie Matthews
The instructions say to add breadcrumbs. but there are none listed in the ingredient list. Is it best to use Panko or fine breadcrumbs? Also, the only GF flour I have has xanthan gum in it. Will that still be okay? TIA
Sandi Gaertner
I recommend panko, but many of my readers struggle to find it so I try to mention breadcrumbs too.
Diana
I love this recipe! I make it all the time!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you love it!
Ashley
The entire family loved this recipe. So delicious!
Sandi Gaertner
Your family has awesome taste. Thank you for letting me know this was a hit!