Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is marinated and coated in a cornstarch mixture to give it maximum crunch in the air fryer before being coated in a sweet and spicy Korean sauce.

I love this Korean fried chicken. Seriously. But who doesn’t love crispy crunches of fried chicken in an amazing sauce. And all of this without all the oil of deep frying. Give it a try and you’ll see why it is one of my favorite recipes.

Why You’ll Love It

Korean Cuisine Made Easy: This recipe is a great introduction to the vibrant and diverse world of Korean flavors. It’s a fun way to explore new ingredients and expand your recipe cookbook.
Healthier Alternative: Air frying the chicken reduces the need for excessive oil, making this Korean fried chicken a healthier option than traditional deep-frying. You’ll still get that satisfying crunch without the guilt.
Customizable Heat: You can easily adjust the spiciness of the sauce to suit your preferences. Add more gochujang for a fiery kick or tone it down for a milder version that everyone can enjoy.

Helpful Tips

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, as overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and less crispy results.
If you like your Korean fried chicken extra spicy, increase the amount of gochujang paste. Conversely, if you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the gochujang or balance it with a bit more honey.
Chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breast for a leaner option. Adjust cooking time slightly, as chicken breast tends to cook faster.
For the most flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes. If time allows, marinate for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to let the flavors in the meat fully.
Make sure to spray the air fryer basket well before you add the chicken. You don’t want the coating to stick to the basket when you try to turn it over.

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Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is marinated and coated in a cornstarch mixture to give it maximum crunch in the air fryer before being coated in a sweet and spicy Korean sauce.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Marinating and Resting Time 40

Total Time 1 5

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Korean

Servings Servings

Calories 348 kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken:

1 pound chicken thighs cut into pieces
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons gochujang paste
2 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 clove garlic minced

Instructions

Mix the rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper in a sealable plastic bag. Shake to mix well. Add the chicken pieces. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
In another sealable plastic bag, mix the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.
Transfer the chicken pieces into the flour bag (first shaking off excess marinade).
Shake the bag to completely coat the chicken, then place the bag in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
After 20 minutes, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Shake the bag again to coat the chicken with flour.
Preheat the air fryer at 400ºF (200ºC) for 5 minutes.
Spray the basket well with cooking oil. Transfer the chicken pieces to the air fryer basket, not touching if possible. Spritz the chicken pieces with oil so that there isn’t any dry spots.
Air fry at 400ºF (200ºC) for 8 minutes. Carefully turn the chicken pieces over so that you don’t know the coating off, spritz with more oil, and cook for another 5-7 minutes. The amount of time it takes will vary based on your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces.
When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F(74°C), transfer it to a bowl and toss to coat with the sauce.
Serve with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 20gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 825mgPotassium: 324mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 144IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg

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