Air fryer fried chicken is a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional fried chicken. With the help of an air fryer, you can achieve crispy, golden-brown chicken without using excessive oil. In this article, we’ll go over step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer fried chicken that will satisfy your cravings and impress your family and friends.
This Recipe is split into two parts, the first is for tips, suggestions, instructions, and why an air fryer is the best chicken fryer. and the second part for the recipe card to save or print it. You can jump directly to the air fryer fried chicken recipe from here.
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Tips for air fryer fried chicken and more
How do you make the air fryer fried chicken crispy?
The secret to crispy chicken in the air fryer is combining dry ingredients and oil to create a crunchy coating. Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Then, coat the chicken in a mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, such as paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Next, lightly spray the coated chicken with oil or use a brush to coat it evenly. This will help the coating to crisp up and turn golden brown in the air fryer. Be sure to preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
When cooking the chicken in the air fryer, arrange it in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate around the chicken, ensuring that it cooks evenly and becomes crispy all over.
Finally, be sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure that both sides cook evenly and become crispy.
Tips for the best Air fryer fried chicken
The air fryer is the best chicken fryer ever, if you want to make the best Air Fried Chicken here are some tips for the best air-fried chicken:
- Use bone-in chicken: Bone-in chicken pieces, such as thighs, drumsticks, and wings, work best in the air fryer as they retain moisture and flavor better than boneless chicken.
- Dry the chicken: Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel before seasoning and coating them. This will help the coating adhere better to the chicken and create a crispier texture.
- Season the chicken: Be generous with the seasoning. Use a mix of spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper, to add flavor to the chicken.
- Coat the chicken: Dip the seasoned chicken in a mixture of beaten egg and milk, then coat it in a mixture of flour and breadcrumbs. For a healthier option, use almond flour or panko breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the chicken to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to cook unevenly.
- Flip the chicken: Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure maximum juiciness.
Following these tips will help you achieve delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried chicken every time!
Do you flip the fried chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, it’s very recommended to flip the chicken in the air fryer for even cooking and to ensure that both sides are crispy.
Depending on the recipe and the thickness of the chicken, it’s usually recommended to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around the chicken, resulting in evenly cooked and crispy chicken.
Do I have to Use Buttermilk for fried chicken?
Most people wonder if they have to use buttermilk for airfryer fried chicken, and the answer is Yes. for me It’s highly recommended.
Flipping the chicken is highly recommended as it not only enhances its taste but also helps retain its moistness inside while creating a crunchy outer layer.
For optimum results, you also need to marinate the chicken in buttermilk for an hour up to overnight. If you don’t have buttermilk, don’t worry, as you can prepare it at home by following the recipe for How to Make Buttermilk using lemon juice or vinegar.
Are you looking for an air fryer cookbook specific to the UK’s recipes? I recommend this cookbook for you.
This cookbook focuses on recipes from the UK and includes over +90 dishes designed for the air fryer. Despite its low price, it offers a substantial amount of content. I hope you enjoy it! You can find it HERE
Can you Substitute the Chicken?
Can I use an air fryer chicken legs for this recipe?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to use an air fryer chicken legs. keep the skin on and you will have great results.
Can I use an air fryer chicken tender for this recipe?
Yes, you can use this recipe for the air fryer chicken tender with two conditions only:
Use the same size
Keep chicken pieces that are closer to the same size, this will help to cook all the pieces in the same way.
Keep the skin-on
I don’t recommend using skinless chicken. The skin helps the coating stick to the chicken, creating that luscious crispy outside.
Can I use boneless skinless chicken?
Using boneless skinless chicken is not recommended. The skin plays a crucial role in allowing the coating to adhere to the chicken, which creates that delicious crispy exterior. Moreover, the bone-in chicken adds moisture and flavor to the dish.
If you are planning to use boneless chicken, make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. However, it is best to use chicken with skin for optimal results.
Can I use Chicken Breasts?
For more uniform cooking, I prefer using chicken pieces that are relatively similar in size. In case you choose bone-in skin-on chicken breasts, you can still achieve the desired results by tweaking the cooking time.
However, always remember to check the internal temperature of your fried chicken using a thermometer. Additionally, when cooking larger pieces of chicken, it’s advisable to cook them separately from the smaller ones to ensure even cooking.
Notes before making fried chicken in the air fryer
Before making fried chicken in the air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to use chicken with the skin on, as this helps the coating stick to the chicken and creates a crispy outside.
Additionally, using chicken pieces that are similar in size will help ensure more even cooking.
When cooking bone-in chicken breasts, it’s important to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked. Using a meat thermometer is also recommended to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature.
Finally, it’s best to cook larger chicken pieces separately from smaller pieces to ensure everything is cooked evenly. By keeping these tips in mind, you can create delicious, crispy fried chicken in the air fryer.
The recipe for air fryer fried chicken to save or print
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make perfectly crispy and juicy fried chicken in the air fryer with just a few simple ingredients and steps. Get ready to enjoy some guilt-free and delicious air fryer fried chicken that your whole family will love!
You can also read:
Make French Fries in Air Fryer you will be amazed
AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN
Crispy Air Fryer “Fried” Chicken is what Air Fryers were created to do! Crunchy golden seasoned outside, and tender, juicy, full of flavor inside! This is how chicken was meant to be eaten.
- Air Fryer
- 1-2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and legs
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 Tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- olive oil spray
- Salt and pepper chicken thighs and legs. In a medium sized bowl add the buttermilk and eggs and whisk. In another medium sized bowl add the flour, cajun, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then lastly in the flour. Place in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 360 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Open the basket and spray any flour with the cooking spray. Turn the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes until 165 degrees and no longer pink.
Nutrition Amount
Serves: 4
Calories351kcal (18%)
Carbohydrates57g (19%)
Protein14g (28%)
Fat7g (11%)
Saturated Fat3g (15%)
Cholesterol95mg (32%)
Sodium743mg (31%)
Potassium346mg (10%)
Fiber3g (12%)
Sugar6g (7%)
Vitamin A1671IU (33%)
Calcium164mg (16%)
Iron4mg (22%)
