Air Fryer Fried Chicken
This air fryer fried chicken is a game-changer — crunchy, golden, and bursting with bold seasoning. It’s everything you want from classic fried chicken, but lighter and easier to make. Pair it with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or any of your favorite sides for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour for the crispy coating
- ¼ cup cornstarch to make the crust extra light and crunchy
- 1 tablespoon paprika for color and mild smoky flavor
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder for bold seasoning
- 2 teaspoons onion powder to boost the savory depth
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano for a hint of herbiness
- 2 teaspoons salt or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper for a mild bite
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional - see note for adjusting spice level
- 1 cup buttermilk to tenderize the chicken and add tang
- 2 eggs to help bind the coating
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks
- canola oil olive oil, or another vegetable oil spray for crisping in the oven or air fryer
Instructions
- In a pie plate, 8x8-inch baking dish, or another wide, shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until evenly combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs until smooth.
- Working one piece at a time, dredge the chicken first in the flour mixture, then dip it into the buttermilk mixture, and finally coat it again in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess at each step to ensure a light, even coating.
- Spray all sides of the coated chicken pieces with oil spray until no dry flour remains. The easiest method is to place them in the air fryer basket, spray one side, flip, and spray the other. Arrange the chicken in a single layer with thighs placed skin-side down. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 370°F for 15 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 8 to 15 minutes, until the coating is crisp and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F at the thickest part, away from the bone.
- Serve the crispy chicken hot and enjoy.
Notes
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper will make the chicken somewhat spicy. If you want it less spicy use 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne. If you don't want it spicy at all, omit the cayenne.