You can make a very close KFC-style crispy chicken in an air fryer—crispy outside, juicy inside, but with way less oil.
🍗 What it is
Air Fryer KFC-style Fried Chicken is chicken coated in seasoned flour (or breadcrumbs), then cooked in an air fryer to mimic deep-fried crunch.
🧾 Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 kg chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings)
Marinade:
- 1 cup buttermilk (or yogurt + milk mix)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Coating:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Salt & pepper
- 1 egg (optional, for extra crispiness)
Spray oil: for crisping
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Marinate
- Mix chicken with buttermilk and spices
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best)
2. Coat
- Mix flour + spices in a bowl
- Remove chicken from marinade
- Dredge each piece in flour mixture
- For extra crunch: dip again in marinade, then flour again
3. Air fry
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C (356°F)
- Lightly spray basket with oil
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer
- Spray tops lightly with oil
⏱ Cook:
- Small pieces: 18–20 minutes
- Larger pieces: 25–30 minutes
- Flip halfway through
4. Finish
- Increase temp to 200°C (392°F) for last 3–5 minutes for extra crisp
😋 Result
- Crispy, seasoned crust
- Juicy inside
- Similar flavor profile to fast-food fried chicken, but lighter
🔁 Tips for better “KFC-style” texture
- Use paprika + garlic + onion powder combo (key flavor base)
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer
- Double-dipping coating = extra crunch
- Let coated chicken rest 5–10 minutes before cooking (helps crust stick)