The Crispiest Air Fryer Fried Chicken (Healthier Too!)
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Craving crispy, golden fried chicken without the guilt? This air fryer fried chicken recipe is about to become your new favorite! By using the air fryer, you get all the crunch and flavor of traditional fried chicken—without deep frying or all the oil. The secret is in the buttermilk brine and double-dredge technique, which creates a deliciously crisp coating and juicy interior. Whether you’re cooking up a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this healthier take on a comfort food classic will win over the whole family.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients and Supplies
- How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- When Is Chicken Done Cooking?
- What to Serve With It
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
- More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Tips & Tricks
Ingredients and Supplies Needed to Make Easy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
- Buttermilk (or 1½ cups of milk with 1½ teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar)
- Hot sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken Drumsticks
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch (or 1/2 cup extra flour if unavailable)
- Baking powder
- Avocado oil or olive oil spray
Supplies:
- Air fryer
- Large mixing bowl
- Ziplock bag
How to Make Easy and Crispy Air Fryer Chicken:
Step 1: Mix up the seasonings
Mix the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
Step 2: Make the brine
Whisk together hot sauce, buttermilk, and half of the spice mixture. Add drumsticks and brine in a ziplock bag. Let soak for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.
Step 3: Make the dredge and coat the chicken
Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and remaining spices in a plastic bag. Shake to mix. Dredge brined chicken, 2-3 pieces at a time. Set on a plate.
Step 4: Re-brine and double dredge
Pour remaining buttermilk mixture into a bowl. Dip each piece, then dredge again. Let rest 10 minutes while preheating the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
Step 5: Spray and air fry
Spray drumsticks and basket with oil. Cook 4 pieces at 380°F (193°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
When Is Chicken Done Cooking?
Chicken drumsticks are done at 170°F (77°C). Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Thighs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use other cuts of chicken?
- Yes! Just adjust cooking times accordingly. Chicken breasts and thighs work great.
- How do I get my chicken extra crispy in the air fryer?
- Use a double dredge and spray with oil before cooking. The cornstarch-flour combo also helps!
- Can I make it ahead of time?
- You can brine the chicken up to 24 hours in advance, but for maximum crispiness, dredge and air fry just before serving.
- How should I store leftovers?
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Can I make this gluten-free?
- Yes, just swap in a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try this air fryer chicken! Ever since I made this recipe, it has quickly become a new favorite in our home. We love this one and air fryer chicken tenders too!
What’s your home’s favorite air fryer recipe? Share with us in the comments below!
More of Our Family’s Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
- Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Sausage, Potato, and Onion in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
🍗 Air Fryer Tips & Tricks You’ll Love
- Air Fryer 101
- Avoid These Air Fryer Mistakes
- Best & Worst Air Fryer Accessories
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Adapt Any Recipe for the Air Fryer
- Free Air Fryer Tips & Temps Download
- Air Fryer Buying Guide
- Watch on YouTube
The Crispiest Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Equipment
- Ziplock bag
- Large mxiing bowl
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup buttermilk or 1.5 cups of milk with 1.5 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 2-3 pounds 8 drumsticks
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup cornstarch if you don’t have cornstarch, use a 1/2 cup of flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- Mix the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl
- Make the brine: whisk together hot sauce, buttermilk, and half of the spice mixture
- Add drumsticks and brine in a plastic bag. Let it soak for at least 1-2 hours or overnight
- Make the dredge: add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and the rest of the spices in a plastic bag and shake to mix everything together
- After the chicken has finished soaking, add up to 3 drumsticks at a time into the dredge bag. Coat the drumsticks by shaking the bag. Take the drumsticks out of the bag and set on a plate. Repeat this for all the drumsticks
- Pour the remaining buttermilk mixture from the brine bag into a bowl and double dredge the drumsticks in the brine and then in the dredge.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 10 minutes
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for 5 minutes
- Spray the drumsticks with oil to help the dredge adhere to the chicken. This will also crispen the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place 4 drumstick to the basket
- Air fry for 15 minutes at 380 °F, flipping once at the halfway point
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Hi can i put it in the Airfryer without the skin? Thank you
Hi Lena, that will work fine.
2495 mgs of sodium? Oh my goodness. This is an unheard of amount, and it is due to 1 tablespoon of salt. Why so much? The American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 2300 mgs per day and ideally no more than 1500 mgs for most adults and less for children. This recipe should not be touted as healthy.
probably because the 3 pounds of chicken
Haha yeah, probably!
What is the name of the hot sauce. I presume its spicy chilli hot liquid. What the equivalent in britain.
Hi Carol, do you have sriracha?
Hi can i just dip he chicken legs in flour ounce would it be ok Thank You
That should be okay. The breading won’t be as thick. But I imagine it will still be tasty!
If you’re making the recipe for 12 chicken drumsticks (approx. 6 lbs), how much milk and lemon juice would you use ? I’m guessing that’s about 10 servings, but no matter how many servings I plug in, the amount of milk isn’t changing. Wouldn’t more milk need to be added, when more chicken is used?
Can’t wait to make this! 😀