Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin on
  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup buffalo hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

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
  • sprtiz cooking oil to spritz or baste

Instructions

  • Prepare 4 chicken drumsticks and 4 chicken thighs by removing any excess fat, skin, or gristle.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups buttermilk, 1/4 cup buffalo hot 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.
  • 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.
  • Working one at a time, remove chicken pieces from buttermilk mixture. Shake gently to remove any excess liquid and place in the breading mix to coat thoroughly. Tap off any excess flour. Set on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes while the flour and buttermilk brine meld together.
  • Spritz the inside of the air fryer basket with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place breaded chicken into the basket of the air fryer. Lightly spritz, making sure all flour gets coated with cooking oil of your choice. Only put in 4-5 pieces of chicken at a time. Air fryers come in several sizes, so be sure to not crowd the space to ensure there is plenty of airflow.
  • Select Air Fry method, 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the chicken and continue to cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until white meat hits an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal, or 175 degrees Fahrenheit for dark meat. Cooking time will vary based on the size of chicken and which air fryer you use. Use a meat thermometer to ensure 100% accuracy for food safety.
  • Remove from basket and repeat for any remaining chicken pieces. Be sure to let rest for 5-10 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

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

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1833mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 517IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg