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Ultimate Crispy Buttermilk Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Close-up of three pieces of golden brown, crispy air fryer fried chicken served on a white plate.
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Make crispy, golden fried chicken in your air fryer. This recipe uses buttermilk for tender meat and achieves a crunchy exterior without deep frying.

Ingredients

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  • 2 lbs chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not wipe it dry.
  4. Dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing the coating firmly onto the chicken. Place coated pieces on a wire rack.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  6. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not touch. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces generously with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking time. Spray the second side with cooking spray before flipping.
  8. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is deep golden brown and crisp.
  9. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken: dip the floured chicken back into the buttermilk mixture briefly, then coat again in the flour mixture.
  • Use bone-in, skin-on pieces for the juiciest result.
  • If using chicken breasts, cut them into uniform sizes for even cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/air-fryer-fried-chicken/