Air Fryer “Fried” Chicken

ByHannah Peterson

Air Fryer “Fried” Chicken – Crispy, Juicy, and Tastes Just Like KFC! 🍗🔥

If you’ve been craving that classic crispy fried chicken but don’t want the mess (or the oil) of deep-frying, you’re going to love this Air Fryer Fried Chicken. It’s everything you want — perfectly golden, extra crispy on the outside, and unbelievably juicy on the inside. And yes… it tastes just like KFC, but cleaner, lighter, and so much easier.

This method gives you that real crunch thanks to a simple dredging technique and air fryer magic. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to the skillet!

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crunchy, golden crust without deep frying
  • Super juicy chicken drumsticks
  • Simple ingredients — big flavor
  • KFC-style seasoning profile
  • No grease, no splatter, no fuss
  • Ready in under 30 minutes

🧂 Ingredients

  • 6–8 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional for flavor)
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • Olive oil spray

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Soak (for tenderness)

Place drumsticks in a bowl of buttermilk (like in your photo).
Let them soak at least 30 minutes — or overnight for the juiciest results.

2️⃣ Coat for Maximum Crunch

In a bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, and seasonings.
Dredge each buttermilk-coated drumstick into the dry mixture, pressing to create those signature craggy, crispy KFC-like bits.

3️⃣ Rest the Chicken

Place dredged drumsticks on a rack to sit for 10–15 minutes.
This helps the coating stick — and creates extra crunch.

4️⃣ Air Fry

Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
Spray basket lightly with oil.
Arrange chicken in a single layer and generously spray tops with oil.

Air fry for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until crispy, golden, and fully cooked.

5️⃣ Serve

Let the chicken rest 3 minutes before serving.
Get ready for that crunch when you bite in!

🍗 What It Tastes Like

  • Crispy crunchy exterior
  • Juicy, tender meat
  • Seasoned perfectly — KFC-style vibes
  • Light, not greasy
  • Addictively good

This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is foolproof, family-friendly, and unbelievably delicious. Once you make it, you’ll never miss the deep fryer again!

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