This Air Fryer Fried Chicken makes the most crispy and juicy chicken in the air fryer! Made with a dairy-free buttermilk batter and a crispy almond flour coating flavored to perfection! This easy chicken recipe will be an instant family favorite. Gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
PIN HERE for later and follow my boards for more recipe ideas
Updated April 2023
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
Want to make the crispiest chicken without a deep fryer? Making chicken in the air fryer is a game changer. This Air Fryer Fried Chicken has an extra crispy exterior, while the inside is tender and juicy. In addition to being perfectly cooked and packed with mouth-watering flavors, this air fryer chicken works with gluten-free, low-carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 diets!
Who says you need to use a ton of oil for crispy KFC-style fried chicken? There really isn’t an easier or healthier way to cook chicken. Any excess fat on your chicken breasts will actually be removed from the chicken by your air fryer while it cooks. This means every bite of air fryer chicken is meaty and delicious, as it should be!
Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few simple and healthy ingredients for this chicken recipe. You can adjust the seasonings, if desired, based on your preferences or what you have in your kitchen!
- Skin on Bone-in chicken: You’ll need about 2 lbs, a mix of thighs, legs and breast.
- Avocado Oil Spray: Or olive oil spray.
- Almond milk: (or preferred dairy-free milk)
- Vinegar: For that buttermilk flavor and texture.
- Hot sauce: You can use Frank’s Hot sauce or your favorite!
- Eggs: You’ll need 2 large eggs for the batter.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped.
- Lemon wedges: For serving
For the flour mixture:
- Almond flour: For the crispy coating.
- Tapioca starch: You can arrowroot starch / flour. Leave out for low carb or keto air fryer fried chicken and use psyllium husk fiber or coconut flour instead.
- Nutritional yeast: Adds that cheesy flavor! Vegan grated parmesan or regular Parmesan cheese works too if not dairy-free.
- Garlic Powder: This really sets the base for the savory goodness.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Or seasoned salt.
- Paprika: If you want spicier chicken, use smoked paprika instead.
- Fine Sea Salt: To taste.
- Onion Powder: You’ll need 1 teaspoon.
- Black Pepper: Go for freshly cracked!
- Cayenne powder: For some heat. Leave out f you prefer less spicy chicken.
What cuts of chicken work best?
You could use chicken thighs, chicken legs or chicken breasts, if desired. Just note that depending on the size, each piece cooks at different speed and some pieces may have to cook for a bit longer. However, the internal temperature they should reach when they’re done is the same as it is for the breasts.
Is Frozen or Fresh Chicken Best to Use?
Use fresh chicken if you have it, but you can just as easily use frozen chicken pieces for this recipe. We recommend thawing them out in the fridge before air frying. If you don’t thaw them out, you’ll need to increase the cook time significantly.
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breasts
There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. Your air fryer does all the hard work for you! As long as you remember to flip your chicken halfway through the cooking process, you’ll be good to go.
- Preheat the air fryer and season the chicken: If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat at 375F. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Make the “buttermilk: mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, add the almond milk and vinegar, and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until curdled. After 5 minutes, whisk in the eggs until combined.
- Combine seasonings: In another medium-sized bowl, add the almond flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper and cayenne powder, if using.
- Coat the chicken: Working with one chicken piece at a time, use tongs (or clean hands) to dredge each piece in the flour mixture, then dip in the buttermilk mixture and dredge in the flour mixture once again.
- Cook: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single-layer, making sure to not overcrowd the basket. You may have to work in batches. Spray each chicken piece with oil, ensuring all the flour spots are covered. Cook for 15 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray with oil again, ensuring all the flour spots are covered.
- Finish Cooking: Cook for an additional 10 minutes or more until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Repeat with any remaining chicken.
- Let Cool & Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm with lemon wedges, ketchup, ranch or favorite dips.
Tips for Success
Want more advice for making perfect air fryer chicken? Here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
- Check Internal Temperature Early: Since everyone’s air fryer is different, I suggest checking your chicken’s internal temperature sooner rather than later. As soon as it reaches 165°F, your chicken is ready!
- Avoid Overcrowding: It’s better to work in batches than to overcrowd your air fryer basket. If it’s stuffed with too many chicken breasts, they won’t get as crispy and delicious.
- Cook Both Sides: It’s very important to flip your chicken after it’s been in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. This way, it’ll cook evenly all around.
What Goes with Air Fryer Fried Chicken?
If you haven’t already thought of a dish that you’d love to pair with this juicy fried chicken, go for one of these!
- Zucchini Fries: A healthy alternative to your classic French fries, these crispy Zucchini Fries are a great side to serve with this chicken.
- Veggies: It’s always a good idea to serve juicy chicken pieces with a side of Grilled Vegetables.
- Soup: Pair this with a big bowl of Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- Mashed Potatoes: A comforting bowl of creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes would also be a splendid side dish to pair with this crispy chicken.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Air fryer chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. To reheat your chicken breasts, place them in the air fryer at 365°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.
Can I Freeze Extras?
You bet! This recipe is freezer friendly, too.
How to freeze: Frozen chicken breasts will last for up to 3 months. Just fully thaw them out in the fridge before reheating.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Want some more irresistible chicken dinner ideas? Check out these easy recipes!
- Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
- Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- The Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken makes the most crispy and juicy chicken in the air fryer! Made with a dairy-free buttermilk batter and a crispy almond flour coating flavored to perfection! This easy chicken recipe will be an instant family favorite. Gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
- 2 lbs skin on bone-in chicken a mix of thighs, legs and breast
- salt and black pepper . to taste
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk , or preferred dairy-free milk
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 tablespoons preferred hot sauce , to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups superfine almond flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch / flour , or arrowroot starch / flour. You can also sub with 1/4 cup of coconut flour or crushed pork rinds for low carb / keto
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast , you can sub with 1/4 cup grated vegan Parmesan or regular Parmesan cheese if not dairy-free or on Whole30
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning or seasoned salt
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne powder , optional to taste
- Avocado oil spray or olive oil spray
- Fresh chopped parsley , for serving
- Lemon wedges , for serving
- Ketchup , ranch or favorite dip, for serving
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat at 375F. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the almond milk and milk, and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until curdled. After 5 minutes, whisk in the eggs until combined.
- In another medium-sized bowl, add the almond flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper and cayenne powder, if using.
- Working with one chicken piece at a time, use tongs (or clean hands) to dredge each piece in the flour mixture, then dip in the buttermilk mixture and dredge in the flour mixture once again.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single-layer, making sure to not overcrowd the basket. You may have to work in batches. Spray each chicken piece with oil, ensuring all the flour spots are covered.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray with oil again, ensuring all the flour spots are covered.
Cook for an additional 10 minutes or more until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Repeat with any remaining chicken.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm with lemon wedges, ketchup, ranch or favorite dips.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. To reheat your chicken breasts, place them in the air fryer at 365°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.
How to freeze
Frozen chicken will last for up to 3 months. Just fully thaw them out in the fridge before reheating.
Leave a Comment