Cooking Tips
The powder that acts like a salt.
By Danielle Lapierre
Published Sept. 7, 2021.
For chicken with lots of crunch, we here in the test kitchen like to add a secret ingredient to our recipes: baking powder.
For fried chicken recipes such asExtra-Crunchy Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken Sandwiches, and The Ultimate Crispy Fried Chicken, we add it to the flour mixture the chicken is coated in before it goes into the fryer.
We then typically combine this flour mixture with a wet ingredient. This could be egg, buttermilk, or water, depending on the recipe. The moisture helps create a craggy coating that, when fried, yields lots of crunchy morsels to bite into.
But the baking powder is key, because it acts like a salt. It helps draw moisture to the surface, where it can evaporate. Since they have similar reactions, we typically combine baking powder and table salt to amplify this effect, resulting in extra-crispiness.
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But baking powder doesn’t only make fried chicken crunchier—it also magically gives nonfried chicken extra-crispy skin.
An example of this is our Oven-Fried Chicken Wings, which aren’t fried at all. But when you bite into one, you would think it was. In order to get crispy wings without frying, you need to dry out the skin. That’s where a coating of baking powder and salt comes in. The baking powder and salt help break down the proteins in the skin, draw moisture to the surface, and also aid in browning. We take a very similar approach in our recipe for Crisp Roast Chicken.
So next time you are making fried chicken, or even cooking it in the oven, make sure that you have some baking powder on hand to add extra crunch.
I'm an avid culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of the science behind cooking techniques, particularly in the realm of achieving optimal texture and flavor. My extensive experience in the kitchen has given me a comprehensive grasp of ingredients and their interactions, allowing me to share insights that go beyond the surface of recipes. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article on cooking tips, specifically focusing on the use of baking powder to enhance the crunchiness of chicken.
Baking Powder as a Secret Ingredient:
The article highlights the use of baking powder as a secret ingredient to achieve a crunchy texture in various chicken recipes. This technique is employed in fried chicken recipes such as Extra-Crunchy Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken Sandwiches, and The Ultimate Crispy Fried Chicken. What makes baking powder a game-changer is its ability to mimic the effects of salt in drawing moisture to the surface of the chicken.
The Science Behind Baking Powder:
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Moisture Management: Baking powder plays a crucial role in managing moisture. By drawing moisture to the surface of the chicken, it facilitates the evaporation process during cooking. This is essential for creating a craggy coating on the chicken that turns crispy when fried.
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Similar Reactions to Salt: Baking powder is highlighted as a key ingredient because it acts like salt. The article mentions that combining baking powder with table salt amplifies the moisture-drawing effect, resulting in extra-crispiness. Understanding the science behind these reactions enhances the ability to achieve consistent and desirable textures in various recipes.
Application Beyond Frying:
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Oven-Fried Chicken Wings: The article introduces the concept of oven-fried chicken wings, where baking powder and salt are used to achieve crispy skin without actual frying. The baking powder and salt combination serves to break down proteins in the skin, draw out moisture, and contribute to browning.
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Crisp Roast Chicken: The technique of using baking powder and salt is not limited to fried chicken. The article mentions a similar approach in the recipe for Crisp Roast Chicken. This application showcases the versatility of baking powder in achieving desirable textures in non-fried dishes.
Takeaway Tip:
The key takeaway is to always have baking powder on hand when making fried chicken or even when cooking it in the oven. Whether you're aiming for the ultimate crispy fried chicken or crispy skin on oven-fried wings, understanding the role of baking powder in managing moisture and enhancing texture is essential for elevating your culinary skills.
