Southern Fried Chicken Recipe Using Air Fryer

Apr 27, 2020

This air fryer southern fried chicken is golden brown, juicy, and full of flavor. It’s one you have to try making your air fryer.

If you didn't know that you could air fry fried chicken, well, now you do. If you don't know what an air fryer is, it's basically an amped-up countertop convection oven. Its compact space facilitates even faster cooking. The top of the unit holds a heating mechanism and a fan.

It fries your food by hot air rushing down and around in a fryer-style basket. This rapid circulation makes the food crisp, much like deep frying. People are saying that this invention has totally changed the cooking game. 

Southern fried chicken is arguably the best style of fried chicken there is. There is no better time to try it this air fryer recipe than now as we self-quarantine in the comforts of our home.

To make it a healthier version of southern fried chicken, use olive oil instead of regular oil.

Here is what you'll need:

• 2 lbs. chicken
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
• 1/4 cup water
• olive oil

Instructions

• Wash and dry chicken, set aside.

• In a bowl combine the seasonings.

• Coat chicken generously with about a tablespoon of the spice mixture. (Add a splash of olive oil to the chicken to help distribute the spices if needed. Really rub it in!). Set aside.

• In a gallon-size plastic bag, mix together flour, cornstarch, and remaining spice mix. (Important: Flour should taste well-seasoned. Add in more spices and salt as needed) Set aside.

• In a large dish, mix together eggs, hot sauce, milk, and water.

• Coat chicken very lightly in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.

• Place on a tray to allow time for some of the flour to absorb a little.

• Coat the chicken in the egg mixture (shaking off excess).

• Immediately, coat the chicken lightly in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.

• Let chicken rest for about 15 minutes so that some of the flour is absorbed.

• Use an oil mister or brush, to coat the chicken very lightly (all over) with olive oil.

• Place chicken in the greased air fryer basket, allowing room for the air to flow all around the chicken. (do not crowd)

• Cook according to your air fryer, flipping halfway and brushing very lightly with more oil (if needed) so that no flour is visible. (I cooked on 350°F for about 18 minutes)

• Remove and let chicken rest for about 5 minutes.

• Serve immediately. (Homemade air fried chicken does not stay crisp very long)

Send us photos of your version of air fryer southern fried chicken in the comments! Be sure to pass this recipe to your friends who also use an air fryer at home.