Air Fryer Fried Chicken {Crispy, Juicy, KFC Style!} – by Gastro Guru

This air fryer fried rooster is simply as crispy and juicy as you’d count on however with out all of the fuss of deep frying them! Filled with scrumptious texture and taste, this tastes like KFC, however so significantly better for you!

The great thing about utilizing an air fryer is that it reduces the fats and energy of historically calorie-dense meals.

We’ve given tons of classics a makeover, together with my air fryer rooster nuggets, air fryer turkey bacon, air fryer rooster wings, and even air fryer grilled cheese. Now, we’ve added fried rooster into the combination.

Desk of Contents

1. Recipe highlights
2. Elements wanted 
3. Methods to fry rooster within the air fryer
4. Recipe suggestions and variations
5. Methods to retailer leftovers
6. Extra air fryer rooster recipes
7. Air Fryer Fried Rooster (KFC Fashion!) (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

• Simple prep. Dip, fry, coat, and air fry; all of this comes collectively in minutes! The prep time is minimal.
• More healthy. Conventional fried rooster is loaded with further fats and energy. On this model, there’s a fraction of each. Oh, and the crispy coating has a lot taste.
• Fuss-free. Fried rooster (or any fried meals, actually) makes fairly a large number within the kitchen, however utilizing the air fryer negates all of it utterly. Additionally, the batter doesn’t want any eggs to bind.
• Simple to make forward. Confession- I like consuming fried rooster straight from the fridge and I promise you, this tastes simply pretty much as good and you may even reheat to most crispiness within the air fryer.

What I like essentially the most about this air fryer fried rooster recipe is that every piece of rooster might be crispy on the surface with tender, juicy meat inside. Like my oven fried rooster, this rooster is straightforward to make and so good it hides the truth that it’s more healthy.

Elements wanted 

In case you’ve ever made fried rooster earlier than, you’ll discover the elements are virtually similar, besides all of the oil for deep frying. Here’s what you’ll want:

For the marinade

• Rooster items. Get bone-in and skin-on rooster, together with a mixture of thighs, rooster drumsticks, and breasts.
• Buttermilk. A key ingredient in fried rooster. It helps the batter maintain onto the rooster higher.
• Spices. Salt, garlic powder, and pepper.

For the breading 

• Flour. Both all-purpose flour or wheat flour.
• Cornstarch. Thickens the batter.
• Spices. Salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Olive Oil spray. For coating the air fryer basket.

Methods to fry rooster within the air fryer

I’ve included step-by-step photographs beneath to make this recipe simple to comply with at residence. For the complete printable recipe directions and ingredient portions, scroll to the recipe card on the backside of this submit.

Step 1: Put together the marinade. Add spices and buttermilk in a big bowl, together with the rooster. Let it sit for no less than 10 minutes to thicken.

Step 2: Put together the flour combination. Whisk collectively the elements for the breading. 

Step 3: Coat the rooster. Utilizing tongs, take away items of the rooster from the buttermilk combination, shaking off any extra. Then, shifting rapidly, dredge the rooster within the flour combination, making certain each side are properly coated.

Step 4: Prep the air fryer. Generously spray the rooster with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket.

Step 5- Air fry the rooster. Air fry at 180C/350F for quarter-hour, flip the rooster, spray the rooster once more with cooking spray, and cook dinner for one more 5-10 minutes. As soon as the rooster reaches an inside temperature of 165F, it’s able to serve. 

Recipe suggestions and variations

• Pat dry the rooster properly earlier than coating it with the marinade and breading combination, as this may guarantee it is going to be further crispy and juicy.
• I’ve examined the rooster marinated for as much as 24 hours, which is nice if you wish to prep it upfront.
• Please don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. In case you can’t comfortably match all of the rooster in, cook dinner them in batches.
• The rooster needs to be golden brown all through the cooking course of. In case you discover gentle pockets of shade, spray a bit extra oil over it.
• Solely add the cornstarch as wanted. If there may be an excessive amount of, the coating might be too thick.
• In case you love my spicy rooster sandwiches or scorching honey rooster sandwiches, replicate the spice by including a touch of scorching sauce or some cayenne pepper to the batter. Belief me, it jogs my memory of a KFC zinger burger or spicy southern fried rooster burger.

Methods to retailer leftovers

To retailer. Leftovers will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.

To freeze. Put the cooked rooster in a ziplock bag and freeze for as much as 6 months. 

Reheating. You may reheat fried rooster within the air fryer or a preheated oven. Please don’t microwave it, or else the pores and skin might be soggy.

Extra air fryer rooster recipes