Go Back
Delicious air fryer fried chicken plated with a golden crispy crust

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

A delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, cooked in an air fryer for a crispy outside and juicy inside.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Marinade
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided 2 teaspoons used for marinade, remaining for coating
Chicken
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin on chicken pieces
Dredging Mixture
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cracked pepper

Method
 

Marination
  1. In a large dish, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic, and 2 teaspoons of salt.
  2. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 12 hours), turning occasionally.
  3. About 1 hour before cooking, remove the chicken from the fridge to come to room temperature.
Dredging
  1. In another large dish, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and remaining salt.
  2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and combine with a fork until small lumps remain.
  3. Shake excess liquid from the chicken, dredge it in the flour mixture, and place it in a greased air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
  4. Spray the chicken on all sides with oil spray.
Cooking
  1. Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy, checking that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
  2. Keep cooked chicken warm in a 200-degree oven or rewarm before serving.

Notes

Make sure to marinate the chicken for the full time for the best flavor and tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. For extra crunch, you can double-dip the chicken by repeating the dredging process before air frying. Experiment with different seasonings in the flour mixture for customized flavor.