Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

📖 Description

This Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken delivers all the flavor and crunch of classic fried chicken—without deep frying. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a spiced, flavorful batter and air-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It’s a healthier, mess-free alternative that doesn’t sacrifice taste, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend comfort food cravings.

🧂 Ingredients

Chicken

4–6 chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or bone-in breasts)
Salt, to taste

Marinade

1 cup buttermilk (or yogurt thinned with milk)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional)

Coating

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne or chili powder (optional)

For Cooking

Cooking spray or light oil spray

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, mix buttermilk with spices. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight for best flavor).
Prepare the coating
In another bowl, mix flour with all coating spices.
Coat the chicken
Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing to help it stick.
Preheat air fryer
Preheat to 180°C (360°F) for 3–5 minutes.
Air fry
Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray with oil.
Cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until golden and crispy.
Check doneness
Internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F).
Rest & serve
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Serve with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or corn on the cob
Pair with hot sauce, honey, or ranch dip
Great with biscuits or fries

🧊 Storage

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days
Reheat in air fryer at 180°C (360°F) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes! Reduce cooking time to about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.

Q: Why isn’t my chicken crispy?
A: Make sure you spray oil generously and don’t overcrowd the basket.

Q: Can I skip the flour?
A: Flour gives the crispy crust. For low-carb, use crushed pork rinds or almond flour.

Q: Do I really need to marinate?
A: It’s highly recommended for juiciness and flavor, but 30 minutes will still work.

Q: Can I make it spicy?
A: Absolutely—add more cayenne, hot sauce to the marinade, or chili flakes.