Air Fryer Baked “Fried” Chicken
Intro
Craving crispy fried chicken but without the heavy oil and mess? This air fryer baked fried chicken recipe is the perfect healthier twist! With a crunchy, golden breading on the outside and tender, juicy chicken on the inside, it tastes just like deep-fried chicken but uses a fraction of the oil. The air fryer locks in flavor while giving that irresistible crispiness. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or when you’re just craving comfort food done lighter.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks (skin-on for best crispiness)
1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Cooking spray or a light brush of oil
Instructions
Marinate Chicken:
In a bowl, pour buttermilk over chicken pieces.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
Prepare Breading:
In a shallow dish, mix flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
Coat the Chicken:
Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
Dredge each piece in the flour-breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
For extra crispiness, dip once more in buttermilk and re-coat with flour mix (double coating).
Air Fry:
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Lightly spray chicken with cooking spray or brush with oil.
Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket (do not overcrowd).
Cook for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Check with a meat thermometer—chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Serve:
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pair with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits for the ultimate comfort meal.
Tips & Variations
Use boneless chicken tenders or breasts for a quicker version (12–15 minutes cooking time).
For a spicy version, add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade.
If you like an extra golden crust, spray lightly again with oil halfway through cooking.
Leftovers? Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes to restore crispiness.