Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken is coated in seasoned flour and buttermilk before air frying until perfectly golden. It's juicy inside, crunchy outside, and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs until smooth.
- In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the buttermilk mixture.
- Return the chicken to the flour mixture, coating completely for an extra crispy crust.
- Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet while finishing the remaining pieces.
- Spray every side generously with olive oil spray to help achieve an evenly golden finish.
- Arrange 4–5 pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Cook the Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken for 15–20 minutes.
- Carefully flip each piece and continue cooking for another 5–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken stays juicier than boneless.
- You can substitute chicken legs, thighs, or wings.
- Add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, corn on the cob, or mac and cheese.