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Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Double-coated chicken thighs glazed in a sweet, spicy, and garlicky gochujang sauce, crisped to perfection in the air fryer with far less oil than traditional deep-frying.

60 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

KoreanDinnerAir FryerStandardHigh ProteinPork-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-in pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • as needed cooking spray or neutral oil
  • 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Toss 2 lbs cut into 2-in pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the mixture until every piece is thoroughly coated.

  3. 3

    Working in batches so pieces do not touch, arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray generously with cooking spray or neutral oil.

  4. 4

    Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, flip each piece, spray again, then cook for another 10-12 minutes until the exterior is deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Work in batches as needed and hold cooked pieces in a warm oven.

  5. 5

    While the chicken cooks, stir together 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 tsp rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly.

  6. 6

    Transfer all cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the warm sauce over it. Toss until every piece is glazed.

  7. 7

    Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with 2 tsp sesame seeds and 4 thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken reach?

For Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken, the air fryer is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 12 minutes, in step 4. Air fryers run hot or cool by model, so check two minutes early the first time. The target internal temperature is 400 F (about 205 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

How do I know when Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until the exterior is deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Step 5: cook until the sauce thickens slightly. A reading of 400 F on a thermometer settles it.

What can I use instead of gochujang in Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken?

The entry for Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken calls for 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste). In its place: Mix two parts sriracha or another chili paste with one part white miso and a pinch of sugar. It lands close on heat and body and a little short on fermented depth.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken uses 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-in pieces.

How hot is Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken?

Moderately. The heat in Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken comes from 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste). For a milder plate, start with half the gochujang and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp soy sauce. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works); the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

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