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5.0 from 30 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Use your air fryer to make juicy, flavor-infused fried chicken without the fuss of deep frying. Our buttermilk brine and special breading blend deliver the perfect crispy crunch every time.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Brining Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 8 pieces
Calories: 320 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin on
  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup Frank's RedHot Cayenne Pepper Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking oil spray
Dredging Mixture
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim 4 chicken drumsticks and 4 chicken thighs by removing any excess fat, skin, or gristle.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups buttermilk, 1/4 cup Frank's RedHot Cayenne Pepper Sauce (for added flavor), 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper Add in chicken pieces. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
  3. In a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon white pepper, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Remove each chicken piece from the buttermilk marinade one at a time. Let excess marinade drip off. Place the chicken into the flour mixture and coat thoroughly. Shake off any extra flour. Transfer to a wire rack and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the coating to adhere.
  5. Spritz the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray. Place 4 to 5 breaded chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer. Lightly spritz the tops of the chicken to coat all visible flour.
  6. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) using the Air Fry function. Cook for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken using tongs and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for white meat or 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius) for dark meat.
  7. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest on a clean wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining chicken.

Notes

  • Can you skip the 4-hour brining time? Yes, you could go straight to breading and frying, but the natural acidity and enzymes in buttermilk tenderize the chicken, making it incredibly juicy and tender. You can brine your chicken for up to 48 hours before cooking.
  • When spritzing with oil,  you want to lightly and evenly coat the surface of the breaded chicken, not soak it. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1piece Calories 320kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 97mg (32%) Sodium 1833mg (76%) Potassium 351mg (10%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 517IU (10%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 94mg (9%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8pieces

Amount Per Serving

Calories 320

% Daily Value*

Serving 1piece
Calories 320kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 1833mg 76%
Potassium 351mg 7%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 517IU 10%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 94mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.