Air Fryer Crunchy Chicken: The Perfect Crisp!

Air fryers are a great way to make crunchy chicken without the mess and excess fat of deep-fat frying. The circulating hot air of an air fryer cooks food quicker, and it's healthier, too. You can use an air fryer to make crunchy chicken wings, thighs, tenders, breasts, and even a whole chicken.

Marinate the chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce

Marinating the chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce is a crucial step in achieving juicy, flavourful, and tender air-fried chicken. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Ingredients:

• Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a key ingredient that adds flavour and helps tenderise the chicken. It also aids in creating a crispy outer coating.
• Hot Sauce: Adding hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade enhances the flavour without making it spicy. It adds a subtle zing to the chicken.
• Chicken: Use skin-on and bone-in chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or breasts. You can also use boneless chicken, but the skin helps the coating stick and adds moisture.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Prepare the buttermilk marinade by whisking together buttermilk and hot sauce in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Adjust the amount of buttermilk and hot sauce according to the number of chicken pieces you are preparing.
• Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. You can also place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the chicken to keep it submerged.
• Let the chicken marinate for at least 5-10 minutes at room temperature. For more intense flavour and tenderness, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavourful and tender it will be.
• Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the bowl and gently shake off any excess marinade. There is no need to pat the chicken dry, as the buttermilk will help the flour coating stick better.
• Follow the remaining steps in your air fryer chicken recipe, such as dredging the chicken in flour and/or other coatings and cooking it in the air fryer.

Remember, the buttermilk and hot sauce marinade not only enhances the flavour but also helps tenderise the chicken, so don't skip this important step!

Use a dredging process for a crunchy coating

The dredging process is a simple yet effective way to achieve a crunchy coating on your air-fried chicken. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master the technique:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper to taste. You can use bone-in chicken thighs, legs, or breasts. If you're removing the skin, it's best to use a combination of similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up three shallow bowls or containers for dredging. In the first bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. You can also add hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture for a bit of zing. In the second bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and your choice of seasonings. Feel free to experiment with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even a blend like Cajun or Old Bay Seasoning. The third bowl should contain plain flour for the initial dredge.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Using tongs, dip the chicken into the plain flour, coating it evenly. Then, dip it into the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken generously in the seasoned flour mixture. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.

Step 4: Rest and Dry the Chicken

Place the dredged chicken on a wire rack or a baking sheet lined with foil or wax paper. Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes to allow the coating to set. This step helps the breading adhere better and ensures a crispier final product.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Fry the Chicken

Arrange the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Lightly spray or brush the chicken with oil to promote even browning.

Step 7: Flip and Cook Again

After the initial cooking time of 15-20 minutes, carefully flip the chicken pieces to ensure even cooking and a crispy coating. You can spray or brush the chicken with oil again at this point. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps lock in the juices and ensures a juicy, tender bite. Enjoy your crunchy, golden air-fried chicken!

Preheat the air fryer to 390°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making crunchy chicken. By circulating hot air around the food, the air fryer creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist and tender. This technique delivers the perfect crunchy texture and flavour that fried chicken is known for, without the mess and hassle of deep frying.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 390°F. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes before placing the chicken inside. This step is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness and ensuring the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken by dredging it in the flour mixture. Make sure to shake off any excess flour before placing the chicken in the air fryer. You can also spray the chicken with cooking oil to help enhance the crunchiness and flavour.

Once the air fryer has preheated to 390°F, carefully place the chicken inside, making sure the pieces do not overlap. Overlapping pieces may affect the airflow and prevent even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

During the cooking process, consider spraying the chicken with cooking oil again to ensure it stays moist and crispy. Follow the cooking instructions in your chosen recipe, adjusting the timing and temperature as needed for your specific air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces.

Cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes

Now it's time to cook the chicken! Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil until thoroughly covered. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

For extra crispy chicken, you can flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time and spray the other side with cooking oil. This will ensure both sides of the chicken are golden and crispy.

Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and the amount of chicken, the cooking time may vary. It's important to ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the chicken.

If you're cooking a larger batch of chicken, you may need to cook it in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Keep the first batch warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining chicken.

Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes

Once you've flipped the chicken, spritz the top surface of the chicken again with cooking oil until it's thoroughly covered. Depending on the size of your chicken and your air fryer model, continue to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the crumbs should look golden brown. You can remove the chicken from the air fryer at 160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

If you're using an air fryer basket, be sure to not crowd the space to ensure there is plenty of airflow. If you're cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in a 250°F oven while you finish the second.

If you're using an air fryer with a probe, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you don't have a thermometer, cook the chicken until the juices run clear.

Frequently asked questions