Description
Make crispy, Southern-style fried chicken using your air fryer with minimal oil. This recipe delivers a juicy interior and a crunchy coating for a healthier comfort food meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work well)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking spray (oil-based)
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to the buttermilk. Mix well to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours.
- In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Remove one piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge the piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken firmly. Place the coated piece on a wire rack. Repeat with all chicken pieces.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
- Spray the tops of the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray. This helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
- Air fry for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking time.
- After flipping, spray the second side lightly with cooking spray. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, after the first 10 minutes of cooking, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the remaining time.
- If you are cooking chicken breasts or tenders, reduce the total cooking time by 3 to 5 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness; carryover cooking will continue after removal.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 110