This awesome air fryer fried chicken delivers maximum crunch with minimal effort, making it the best air fryer fried chicken you’ll ever taste.
Awesome Easy Air fryer Fried Chicken
There is nothing quite like biting into a piece of perfectly crispy fried chicken. But let’s be honest—dealing with pots of boiling hot oil and a messy cleanup can take the fun right out of it. Enter this awesome air fryer fried chicken. It gives you that classic, golden-brown crunch you crave, but it's an incredibly easy air fryer fried chicken recipe that comes together with zero fuss. If you want authentic flavor without the extra grease, this is the ultimate air fryer fried chicken to make tonight.
Ingredients
Chicken: 4-6 pieces of chicken (bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks work best for juiciness)
Buttermilk: 1 cup (essential for keeping the meat tender)
Flour: 1 cup all-purpose flour
Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons (our secret weapon for extra crunch!)
Seasonings: 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat), 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cooking Spray: High-heat oil spray (like avocado or canola oil)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Place your chicken pieces in a bowl or a zip-top bag and pour the buttermilk right over them. Let them marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours if you have the time). This step ensures your easy air fryer fried chicken stays incredibly juicy on the inside.
2. Mix the Crispy Coating
In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
3. Dredge the Chicken
Take a piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off. Dredge it thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing down firmly so the coating sticks to every single nook and cranny. Shake off any major excess and set aside on a plate. Repeat with all pieces.
Pro Tip: Let the breaded chicken sit for about 5 minutes before cooking. This helps the flour absorb the moisture and stick better, preventing it from blowing off in the air fryer.
4. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with your cooking spray. Crucial Step: Generously spray the breaded chicken pieces with the oil until no dry, white flour spots remain. This is how we get that gorgeous, golden awesome air fryer fried chicken look.
5. Air Fry to Perfection
Place the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch or overlap (cook in batches if needed).
Cook for 20-25 minutes total.
Flip the chicken halfway through (around the 12-minute mark). If you see any dry flour spots after flipping, give them another quick spritz of oil.
6. Rest and Serve
Your air fryer fried chicken is done when the skin is deeply golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices lock in.
Enjoy your perfectly crispy, homemade meal!
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