I have a special treat for you if you love that popular Southern Chicken and Waffles. My homemade Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles recipe is absolutely incredible! I share both oven baked and air fryer directions for cooking the chicken.
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When we lived in Texas, before going gluten free, one of our very favorites was fried chicken and waffles. Something is to be said about the sweet syrup and savory crispy chicken that worked together.
I wanted to re-create this recipe but use my air fryer to lower fat and calories. 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 and easy to make!
- You can make the gluten free buttermilk waffles while the chicken is cooking in the air fryer! If you are short on time, use store-bought gluten-free waffles!
- You can make this recipe in two ways: in the air fryer or fried!
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 that gets rave reviews.
The entire family loved this recipe. So delicious!”
ashley, blog comment
Allergen Information:
This homemade chicken and waffles recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free (if you use plant-based milk), soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- 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 chicken cut.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk adds a level of flavor. You can make your own by adding 1 TBSP of lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. If you are dairy-free, use regular, unsweetened, unflavored, non-dairy milk.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and Sriracha (optional.) 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.
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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.
👀 Sandi Says: If you want your chicken extra crispy, you can double dip in coating. Do step 3, then repeat it so you have two layers of coating.
Step 4: Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken in it. Then, 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. Ensure 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 spoon to scoop the batter into the hot waffle maker. I love this Oster Waffle Maker because it is easy to use and cleans up easily. Cook for 4-5 minutes (cook time varies a bit by what brand of waffle maker you use.)
Step 8: Remove the waffle from the waffle iron and stack fried chicken on top. Drizzle with maple syrup.
If you love mochi, use these gluten-free mochi waffles. They are amazing with chicken and waffles!
Pan-Frying Directions:
- To pan-fry or deep-fry your chicken, heat high-heat oil in a Dutch oven or 12-inch cast-iron skillet to 375º F.
- Coat the chicken the same way 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can definitely use frozen waffles. I 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.
This chicken and waffles will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It will lose its crispiness, so I don’t recommend storing it long. You can re-crisp 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
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles
Equipment
Ingredients
For Gluten Free Air Fried Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless
- ⅓ cup gluten free flour * see note
- ½ cup gluten free bread crumbs or panko
- 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
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Instructions
- In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons buttermilk, 1 large egg, and 1/2 teaspoon sriracha. In a second bowl, add 1/3 cup gluten free flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Lastly, in a third bowl, add 1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs or panko.
- Cut the 1 pound 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 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour blend, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a bowl and whisk to blend.
- Add 1 2/3 cups buttermilk, 2 large eggs, and 1/3 cup canola oil 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.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I made the chicken and waffle recipe once but the waffle recipe more than a dozen times. I save the leftover batter in the fridge and use over a week. with the leftover, I add a little water. I use a Dash waffle iron. I add a little maple sugar and cinnamon over the top and cook a bit longer. best gluten free waffle dough ever.
I keep seeing those Dash waffle irons. It is good to know they work well. I am so glad you loved this recipe. It is good with hot honey as well!
Where is the recipe for the waffles?
I am not sure I understand your question. Did you go to the bottom to the recipe card? You can also get there by clicking the Jump to Recipe button. The waffle recipe is there.
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
I recommend panko, but many of my readers struggle to find it so I try to mention breadcrumbs too.
The entire family loved this recipe. So delicious!
Your family has awesome taste. Thank you for letting me know this was a hit!