Air Fryer Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe
Crispy fried chicken has always been a favorite in my house, but for the longest time, I avoided making it myself because deep frying felt like too much work. I didn’t love dealing with a pot full of oil, and I definitely didn’t love the cleanup. Then, I got an air fryer, and everything changed.The first time I made air fryer fried chicken, I was skeptical. Would it actually be crispy? Would it have the same golden, crunchy coating as traditional fried chicken? After one bite, I knew I had found a game-changer. The chicken was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and crispy—without all the mess and oil of deep frying. Now, I make this recipe all the time when we’re craving fried chicken but want something a little lighter and easier.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs for handling the chicken
- Whisk (for mixing the breading)
- Wire Rack (to rest the chicken before cooking)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
- Honey mustard
- Ranch dressing
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Add the chicken, making sure it’s fully submerged.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
- In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off.
- Coat each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breading sticks.
- Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack and let it sit for 10 minutes—this helps the coating adhere.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken pieces in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray—this helps create crispiness.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces and sides.