If you love fried chicken, but don’t want the mess of hot oil in your kitchen, then you’ll love this einkorn air fryer version. Einkorn’s warm, nutty flavor makes an incredible crust for fried chicken – especially when you mill it fresh. 

This simple einkorn fried chicken recipe is ideal for busy homemakers who want a quick, reliable dinner that uses real ingredients and cooks in under 30 minutes. If you’ve been looking for a crispy einkorn fried chicken recipe, air‑fryer chicken thighs and drumsticks, or healthy fried chicken without oil, this method checks every box.

For the healthiest fried chicken and peace of mind in your kitchen, I recommend choosing an air fryer that’s free of PFOA and PFAS so you can cook safely for your family.

What is Einkorn?

Einkorn is an ancient grain – the oldest form of wheat known to man – and one that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Unlike modern durum wheat varieties, Einkorn has not been hybridized. It contains a much simpler gluten structure, making it much easier to digest overall.

In my kitchen, I prefer to bake with fresh milled einkorn flour. Milling your grain just before baking preserves more of its natural nutrients and gives baked goods a rich, wholesome flavor. 

I buy my einkorn wheat berries here. Alternatively, you can buy pre-ground whole wheat einkorn flour here. 

Keep in mind that pre-ground whole wheat einkorn flour is compacted because it has been sitting, while fresh milled einkorn flour is loose and aerated. This is important to note as it will change the weight of measured flour. For this reason, I have included the total weight of flour in grams. If you do not have a kitchen scale and plan to use pre-ground whole wheat einkorn flour instead of fresh milled einkorn, I recommend sifting your flour through a mesh strainer to loosen it up before measuring.

For Thighs

Ingredients

3-4 chicken thighs

1 large egg

1 cup fresh milled einkorn flour 

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp dried basil 

1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Butter the air fryer basket and preheat to 390°F.

2. Rinse the chicken thighs in water. 

3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix fresh milled einkorn flour, onion powder, dried basil, and salt until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg.

5. Dredge each thigh in the flour mixture, coating all sides.

6. Next, dip the chicken thigh in the egg. Coat it fully, ensuring there are no dry pockets on the chicken thigh. 

7. After coating the chicken thigh in the egg, coat it in the dry mixture again. Try to get an even coating without making it too thick. 

7. Repeat steps 5-7 until all chicken thighs are ready for frying.

8. Place each chicken thigh in the bottom of the air fryer. Cook at 390°F for 25 minutes.

For Drumsticks

Ingredients

4 chicken drumsticks

1 large egg

1 cup fresh milled einkorn flour 

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp basil 

1 tsp salt 

Directions

1. Butter the air fryer basket and preheat to 390°F.

2. Rinse the chicken drumsticks in water. 

3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix fresh milled einkorn flour, onion powder, dried basil, and salt until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg.

5. Dredge each drumstick in the flour mixture, coating all sides.

6. Next, dip the chicken drumstick in the egg. Coat it fully, ensuring there are no dry pockets on the chicken drumstick. 

7. After coating the chicken thigh in the egg, coat it in the dry mixture again. Try to get an even coating without making it too thick. 

7. Repeat steps 5-7 until all chicken drumsticks are ready for frying.

8. Place each chicken drumstick in the bottom of the air fryer. Cook at 390°F for 30 minutes.

If this fresh milled einkorn fried chicken makes its way to your table, please let me know how you enjoyed it in the comment section below!

With love from my kitchen to yours,

Katherine