Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken 🍗✨
This air fryer fried chicken comes out golden and crackly on the outside, juicy on the inside, and tastes just like classic fried chicken — with way less oil. Perfect for an easy dinner any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces of chicken (thighs or drumsticks, skin-on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking spray
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin (optional)
- 2 tablespoons wheat flour or cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Wash the chicken pieces and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is key for crispy skin.
2. Season
In a bowl, mix:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin (if using)
- Flour or cornstarch
Lightly brush each chicken piece with olive oil, then coat generously with the seasoning mixture, pressing it into the skin.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes.
4. Cook
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket skin-side down, making sure the pieces don’t touch.
- Cook at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes
- Flip the chicken
- Increase temperature to 200°C (400°F)
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy
5. Check Doneness
The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
For extra crunch, add 2 more minutes at 200°C.
Serving Ideas
Serve this crispy air fryer chicken with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Fresh salad
- Steamed vegetables
- Coleslaw or biscuits
Pro Tips for Extra Crispy Chicken 🔥
- Dry chicken = crispy skin
- Cornstarch gives more crunch than flour
- Don’t overcrowd the basket — airflow matters
- Spray lightly with oil after flipping for restaurant-level crisp
Golden, juicy, and crunchy without deep frying — air fryer magic 😍