Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Experience the vibrant flavors of Korean street food at home with this Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken. These juicy, bite-sized chicken pieces are coated in a signature spicy-sweet gochujang glaze, offering all the crunch of traditional deep-frying but in a lighter, air-fried version that's perfect for a weeknight treat.

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The secret to this recipe's success is the double-dredge method. By coating the chicken in starch, then egg, and starch again, you create a robust crust that stands up beautifully to the thick, glossy glaze.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine (mirin or sake)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder

• 1 cup (120 g) potato starch (or cornstarch)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray or neutral oil (for air fryer basket)

• 1/4 cup (60 g) gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, soy sauce, rice wine, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Mix well and marinate for 10–15 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Step 3

Dredge each chicken piece in potato starch, dip into the beaten eggs, then dredge again in potato starch for extra crispiness.

Step 4

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange chicken in a single layer without overcrowding (work in batches if needed).

Step 5

Spray the tops of the chicken pieces with oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip, then spray again and air fry for another 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Step 6

While the chicken cooks, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine gochujang, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until thickened (about 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat.

Step 7

Toss the hot chicken pieces in the gochujang glaze until well coated.

Step 8

Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To ensure the most authentic texture, use potato starch rather than flour, as it creates a lighter and crispier coating. For those who enjoy extra heat, feel free to stir a pinch of Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) into the glaze during the simmering process.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness, but you can easily substitute chicken breast; just be sure to reduce the air frying time slightly to prevent the leaner meat from drying out. To make this recipe gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari and ensure your gochujang paste is certified gluten-free.

Serviervorschläge

This dish is best served immediately while the coating is at its crunchiest. Pair it with a side of steamed white rice and traditional Korean pickled radish to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the spicy glaze.

Handle kitchen cleanup easily by disposing of food scraps, packaging, and cooking waste without leaks or odors.

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Whether you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a bold main dish, this Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken delivers explosive flavor with a fraction of the effort and oil of traditional methods.

Answers to Recipe Questions

→ What cut of chicken works best for this dish?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for juiciness and flavor, but chicken breasts can be used with adjusted cooking times.

→ Can I make the glaze less spicy?

Yes, reduce the amount of gochujang or omit Korean chili flakes to adjust the heat to your preference.

→ How do I ensure the chicken stays crispy after air frying?

Coating the chicken pieces twice in potato starch and egg, plus lightly spraying with oil, helps achieve a crisp texture.

→ Is there a gluten-free option available?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and verify that the gochujang is certified gluten-free to make this suitable for gluten-free diets.

→ What are good side dishes to pair with this chicken?

Pickled radish and steamed rice complement the bold flavors and make a complete meal.

→ Can I use a different cooking method instead of an air fryer?

While air frying provides a lighter crisp, deep frying or oven baking are alternatives, but may affect texture and cooking time.