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Dinner

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Enjoy all the crunch of classic fried chicken with much less oil thanks to your air fryer.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 24, 2026
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
25 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Serves
4

Fried chicken is a beloved comfort food, but deep frying can be messy and heavy. Using an air fryer is a wonderful way to get that golden, crispy skin while keeping things a bit lighter for a weeknight dinner.

My top tip is to make sure your chicken pieces are patted dry with paper towels before you add the breading. This helps the coating stick perfectly so you get a great crunch in every single bite.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks or thighs
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and set them aside.

  2. 2

    In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  3. 3

    Place the beaten eggs in a second bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

  4. 4

    Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it into the eggs, and finally coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs.

  5. 5

    Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

  6. 6

    Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces do not touch.

  7. 7

    Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking oil.

  8. 8

    Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

💡 Tips

Serve this chicken hot alongside your favorite dipping sauce or a fresh coleslaw. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.

#chicken#air fryer#comfort food#dinner#easy dinner

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