Air Fryer Fried Chicken
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken has a crispy, golden coating with juicy, tender chicken inside—all with much less oil than traditional deep-fried chicken. It’s perfect for family dinners, picnics, or game day.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 lb (900 g) chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, or bone-in breasts)
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
Seasoned Coating
- 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For Cooking
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce (if using).
- Add the chicken, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken.
- Place the coated chicken on a wire rack for 10 minutes to help the coating adhere.
- Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with cooking oil.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between the pieces.
- Air fry for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying lightly with oil again if needed, until the coating is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: About 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before marinating for better coating adhesion.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if necessary.
- Spray the coating lightly with oil to help it become evenly golden and crispy.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, corn on the cob, or baked beans for a classic comfort meal.