Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Livers

These Air Fryer Chicken livers are a Southern treat that can be enjoyed anytime. Crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside, this air-fried recipe is a flavorful and healthy twist on the traditional deep-fried version.

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Fried food is a staple in many cuisines, especially in the Southern United States. Although fried food is delicious, with the rise of air fryers, we’re starting to see a lot of food that was traditionally deep-fried on the stove being converted for the air fryer. This results in the use of less oil, less mess, and healthier cooking.

But chicken livers? Yes, chicken livers, especially fried chicken livers, are well known in the South. Down here, we’re known for using all the parts of the animal and converting them into parts of a nutritious meal. This is known as nose-to-tail cooking where you use every part of the animal. Recipes such as chitterlings, hog maws, and beef tripe are common nose-to-tail recipes.

Ingredients Needed for this recipe

• Fresh chicken livers – can be found in many grocery store chains, in the meat section. They are usually packaged in a small plastic container and served by the pound.
• Buttermilk – is used to brine and tenderize the chicken livers and remove any impurities.
• Hot sauce – used to add flavor to the brine
• All-purpose flour – Used for coating the flour before frying.
• Seasoning – this recipe uses a mix of creole and Italian seasoning but feel free to mix it up.

How to make air fryer fried chicken livers

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you’ll want to prep your chicken livers by washing them in a large bowl. Cut the chicken livers into equal-sized pieces and then cover the raw chicken livers with water and allow them to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing them off and drying them with a paper towel. This will get rid of all the excess blood from the livers before frying.

Make sure to clean and sanitize your sink after cleaning the livers.

Once you have washed your chicken livers, prepare the brine by combining buttermilk and hot sauce in a container. Add the chicken livers and allow them to rest in the buttermilk brine in the fridge for at least an hour.

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, creole seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Remove the chicken livers from the buttermilk brine, shaking off any excess buttermilk, and place them in the flour to coat all sides. Shake off excess flour.

Grease the air fryer basket with a little oil. Then place the floured livers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Close the air fryer basket (do not spray the top of the livers at this point) and cook for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, open the basket and spray the chicken livers with oil. Flip and spray again, ensuring all floured spots on the livers are sprayed with oil. Continue to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken livers are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once done, remove the fried chicken livers from your air fryer basket. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

What to serve chicken livers with?

These fried chicken livers are good with additional hot sauce, dipped in ranch dressing, or cocktail sauce. They’re best when served as an appetizer or snack.

You can also serve them alongside sautéed onions, a salad, or any of your favorite southern sides.

Can I prep these ahead of time?

These chicken livers are best served hot when they are made. You can reheat them in the air fryer by placing them in the air fryer basket and air frying at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until heated through.

Are chicken livers good for you?

Yes, they are! Chicken livers are a great source of protein and iron. They also contain vitamins A and C, as well as folate. So, not only are air-fried chicken livers delicious, but they’re also good for you!

Should I use oil in the air fryer?

Absolutely! But just a little is needed for this recipe. Oil will allow the floured breading to brown and provide delicious flavor to the livers. I use a spray bottle filled with oil and spray the livers. The best oil to use is a high heat oil, like olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. If you don’t spray with oil, the breading may taste dry and floury.

Notes on air-fried chicken livers

• Make sure the chicken livers are cooked through. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure that livers have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• These air-fried chicken livers are best served immediately. If they sit for a while, they won’t be as crispy.
• Cut the chicken livers into equal pieces to ensure they cook evenly.

I hope you enjoy this fried chicken livers recipe as much as I do.

Need more Southern appetizers? Try these out.

• Southern Fried Okra
• Air Fryer Squash
• BBQ Chicken Wings

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5 from 5 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Livers

These Air Fryer Chicken livers are a Southern treat that can be enjoyed anytime. Crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside, this air-fried recipe is a flavorful and healthy twist on the traditional deep-fried version.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 246kcal

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken livers, cut into equal sizes rinsed and dried with a paper towel
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 Tablespoons hot sauce
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Oil for spraying canola, vegetable, olive oil, avoacdo oil, etc.
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a container. Add the chicken livers and allow them to rest in the buttermilk brine in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. In a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour, creole seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Remove the chicken livers from the buttermilk brine, shaking off any excess buttermilk, and place them in the flour to coat all sides. Shake off excess flour.
• Grease the air fryer basket with a little oil. Then place the floured livers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Close the air fryer basket (do not spray the top of the livers at this point) and cook for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, open the basket and spray the chicken livers with oil. Flip and spray again. Continue to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken livers are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once done, remove the fried chicken livers from your air fryer basket. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

• Make sure the chicken livers are cooked through. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure that livers have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• These air-fried chicken livers are best served immediately. If they sit for a while, they won’t be as crispy.
• Cut the chicken livers into equal pieces to ensure they cook evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal