Absolutely! Air fryer KFC-style chicken can be even better than the original because it’s crispy without being greasy and cooks faster. Here’s a guide to making it at home:
Ingredients
- 4–6 pieces of chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder (optional, for extra crisp)
- Cooking spray or a little oil
Instructions
- Marinate – Soak chicken in buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper for at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
- Prep coating – In a shallow bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and baking powder.
- Coat chicken – Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the seasoned flour. Press flour onto the chicken so it sticks well.
- Preheat air fryer – 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Air fry – Lightly spray chicken with oil and cook in the air fryer for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Serve – Let rest a few minutes before serving to keep juices locked in.
💡 Tips for extra crunch:
- Double-dredge: Dip coated chicken back in buttermilk, then flour again.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—air circulation is key for crispiness.
- Light oil spray helps get that golden KFC-style crust without deep frying.
If you want, I can give a secret spice blend trick to make it taste even closer to classic KFC. Want me to share it?
