Have you tried frying chicken in your air fryer yet? This easy air fryer fried chicken is the best recipe ever! If you are craving some crispy chicken, this quick and easy air fryer fried chicken recipe is one of the best chicken recipes out there and it takes just minutes to make.
How Do You Make Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?
It is so easy to make fried chicken, using an air fryer! This is one of my family’s favorite fried chicken recipes and it has been adapted to make in the air fryer which will leave the chicken just the perfect amount of crunchy and juicy. This air fried fried chicken recipe is perfect for anything from Game Day, to a quick but hearty weeknight dinner.
Related: Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
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Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Ingredients Needed For This Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe:
- 2 pounds skin on chicken drumsticks and thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Some people add pickle juice to their batter, it brings so much flavor.
Coating:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for spraying chicken – vegetable, canola or olive oil
Instructions To Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken:
Step 1
Wash and dry chicken set aside.
Step 2
First, in a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper until well combined.
Step 3
Then, in another large bowl, whisk together flour, and seasonings.
Step 4
Coat chicken with flour mixture.
Step 5
Dip in buttermilk mixture, and then repeat in flour mixture.
Step 6
Place chicken in air fryer basket, spray basket with oil, and leave room around each piece to allow air to flow. Do not stack the chicken, leave it in a single layer.
Step 7
Spray chicken with oil.
Step 8
Cook at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Let the hot air do all the work!
Step 9
Turn chicken over, and spray with more oil.
Step 10
Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until golden.
Step 11
Repeat with remaining chicken.
Step 12
Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Notes
- Cooking times will vary between air fryers so closely monitor your cook time and temperature.
- The internal temperature of your fried chicken needs to be 165 F. You’ll have tender chicken that’s cooked all the way through.
- If you like chicken breasts and want to try air frying these chicken pieces then you’ll need to cook them a little longer if they’re larger or raise the temperature (390). You want the air fryer chicken breast to be cooked all the way through.
- I know people like taking the skin off, but you want skin-on chicken so the dredge stays on. It won’t stay on and be crispy if you take the skin off.
- You can season your dredge anyway you want. Use teaspoons of garlic powder, hints of cayenne pepper, whatever you like.
- You can use bone-in chicken thighs or bone out. And you can even make air fryer chicken wings. They should take about the same time as the rest of the chicken.
How to Store Leftover Chicken
Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container.
How to Make Gluten Free Air Fryer Fried Chicken
You can still enjoy this delicious fried chicken recipe if you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity!
- All you have to do is swap out the regular all-purpose flour with gluten free all-purpose flour.
- You can also use gluten free Panko crumbs in place of a cup flour to give it extra crunchiness. It’ll taste just like classic fried chicken without all the added grease of deep fried chicken.
- Always double check the ingredients in all processed foods to be sure they are gluten free, before using them.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
If you love crispy chicken, you have to try this easy and delicious air fryer fried chicken recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skin on chicken, legs and thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Coating:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for spraying chicken - vegetable, canola or olive oil
Notes
Cooking times will vary between air fryers so closely monitor your cook time and
temperature.
What Internal Temperature Is Chicken Fully Cooked?
It depends as white meat and dark meat both cook differently. White meat should be cooked until 165 F. Dark meat is safe to eat at 165 F, however the meat will be chewier. For a better texture you want to strive for 175 F- 190 F.
Do I Need To Let My Air Fryer Fried Chicken Rest Before Eating It?
Yes, you should let it rest for about 10 minutes. Not only to cool off, but it will allow the moisture in the meat to redistribute. This ensures juicier chicken.
Is Air Fryer Fried Chicken Healthy?
While all the flour may not be the healthiest, using your air fryer to fry chicken is a much healthier option. You’re avoiding seed oils which cause inflammation, lower calories, preserves nutrients, and reduces acrylamide. So, yes, in the overview, air fryer fried chicken is healthier than deep fried chicken.
More Chicken Recipes From Kids Activities Blog
Did you love this air fryer recipe? Well we have other great chicken recipes! So grab your chicken thighs, chicken legs, chicken wings, cooking spray, and hot sauce and lets get cooking!
- I love whipping up big batches of these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and then freezing them so that I can pull them out and heat them up for wraps, fajitas, salads, and so many other recipes!
- Easy greek pasta salad with chicken is the perfect summer lunch or dinner.
- Put a fun spin on Taco Tuesday with this easy chicken tortilla soup!
- There’s no need for takeout when you can make your own chicken fried rice at home!
- This one-pan chicken parmesan is the perfect meal for an at-home date night.
- If you’re looking for a comfort food dish you have to try this King Ranch Chicken Casserole!
- Do not miss out on this list of our favorite winter recipes for families!
- Make a quick & easy mango chicken wrap recipe.
More Air Fryer Recipes From Kids Activities Blog
- Have you tried these air fryer hot dogs?
- All your chicken recipes need our most popular recipe, diced potatoes in air fryer!
Have you tried making fried chicken in your air fryer?
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