Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken Recipe 

Craving a finger-licking, crispy delight that's bursting with bold Korean flavors? Look no further! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your kitchen game as we dive into the irresistible world of Air Fryer Korean fried chicken. With its golden, crunchy exterior and tender, juicy meat, this modern twist on a Korean classic will surely make your heart skip a beat. And did we mention coating it in sweet and spicy sauce?

Below, we will share our scrumptious recipe for air fryer Korean fried chicken wings that are perfect for any occasion, whether a lively game day gathering or an elegant dinner party.

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

Korean Fried Chicken Sauce Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat your Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) before cooking Korean fried chicken.

2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs and buttermilk (if desired).

4. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, coat the chicken with flour, ensuring that each piece is evenly coated for optimal results.

5. Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer within the air fryer basket. Give the chicken a light coating of cooking spray to promote a crispy texture.

6. Air fry the chicken in the Air Fryer for approximately 25-30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through the cooking process. Cook until the chicken turns a glorious golden brown and reaches a fully cooked state. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, considering the size of your chicken pieces and the power of your specific Air Fryer model.

7. While the chicken is cooking, it's time to prepare the tantalizing Gochujang sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the Gochujang sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and grated ginger until the ingredients are thoroughly combined, resulting in a harmonious and flavorful sauce.

8. Once the crispy fried chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the Gochujang sauce over the chicken and toss until each piece is generously coated.

9. Place the spicy sauce-coated chicken back in the Air Fryer for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize slightly.

10. Carefully remove the perfectly crispy chicken from the air fryer and generously garnish it with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. These delightful toppings add a final touch of flavor and visual appeal to the dish.

Double coat for extra crispiness: To achieve an even crispier coating, you can double-dip the chicken in both the egg mixture and flour mixture before air-frying. This additional step adds an extra layer of crunch and enhances the overall texture of the dish.

Monitor sauce consistency: When preparing the Gochujang sauce, adjust the honey or soy sauce amounts to achieve your desired sweetness and spiciness levels. If the sauce is too thick, add a water splash or adjust the ingredients accordingly.

What Is Korean Fried Chicken?

Korean fried chicken, sometimes referred to as KFC, is a beloved dish in Korean cuisine. It is known for its irresistibly crunchy exterior and succulent deep-fried chicken. It has gained significant popularity both in Korea and worldwide for its unique preparation and delicious flavors.

What distinguishes Korean fried chicken is its unique two-step frying process. The chicken undergoes initial frying at a lower temperature to ensure thorough cooking and rendering of the fat. It is then removed from the oil, drained, and subsequently fried again at a higher temperature. This double-frying technique results in a remarkable texture, with a crispy outer layer and tender, succulent meat.

In addition to its crispy exterior, Korean fried chicken is known for its variety of flavorful sauces. These sauces can range from spicy and tangy to sweet and savory, catering to different tastes. Gochujang, a fermented chili paste, is often used to create spicy and slightly sweet sauces for Korean fried chicken.

What Is Gochujang?

Gochujang is a traditional Korean chili paste, a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine. It is crafted from a combination of red chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. The mixture is then fermented for several months, developing a deep and complex flavor profile that adds a unique depth and richness to dishes.

Gochujang has a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet taste. It adds depth and heat to dishes, making it a versatile condiment used in a wide range of Korean recipes. It is often described as having an "umami" flavor due to the fermentation process.

Beyond its fiery heat, Gochujang brings an unparalleled depth of flavor to dishes. It is known for its ability to balance out sweetness and saltiness while providing a distinct savory quality. It can be used as a base for marinades, stir-fry sauces, dressings, dipping sauces, and as a flavor enhancer in soups and stews.

What You Will Need To Make Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken Wings

Chicken Breasts, Wings Or Drumsticks

If you're aiming for a leaner option, chicken breasts are the ideal choice for this recipe due to their low-fat content. However, chicken wings or drumsticks are traditionally favored for their succulent and tender meat, which beautifully complements the crispy exterior and rich sauce.

All-Purpose Flour

The versatile all-purpose flour is the primary ingredient in the chicken's coating, providing the desired texture and crunch. When air-fried, it helps create a light and crispy texture, giving the Korean fried chicken its signature crunch.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is combined with flour to enhance the crispiness of Korean fried chicken. It adds an extra lightness to the coating, creating a delicate and crunchy outer layer.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder contributes a savory and aromatic essence to the Korean fried chicken, infusing it with a gentle garlic undertone that harmonizes with the other components and elevates the overall flavor profile.

Onion Powder

Onion powder contributes a mild and slightly sweet flavor to Korean fried chicken. It adds depth to the seasoning profile, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Paprika

Paprika is a spice that provides a vibrant red color to the coating. It also adds a subtle smoky flavor to the fried chicken, enhancing its overall taste profile. If paprika is unavailable, there are paprika alternatives you can use, like cayenne pepper.

Salt

Salt is an essential ingredient for seasoning Korean fried chicken. It helps enhance the chicken's natural flavors and balances the dish's overall taste.

Black Pepper

Black pepper adds a touch of spiciness and a warm, earthy flavor to the Korean fried chicken. It complements the other spices and adds depth to the coating.

Eggs

Eggs play a crucial role in creating an egg wash that aids in the adherence of the flour mixture to the Korean fried chicken, resulting in a cohesive and flavorful coating. They provide moisture and contribute to the overall texture of the coating, resulting in a crispy and well-bonded crust.

Buttermilk (Optional)

Buttermilk is an optional ingredient that can be added to the egg wash. Adding buttermilk serves a dual purpose: tenderizing the fried chicken while introducing a delicate tanginess that enhances the overall flavor profile. The acidity in buttermilk can also contribute to a more tender and juicy result.

Cooking Spray

A gentle spritz of cooking spray is applied to lightly coat the chicken before air frying, contributing to its golden, crispy exterior. It helps enhance the crispiness of the coating by ensuring an even application of heat during the cooking process.

Gochujang Sauce

The Gochujang sauce is pivotal in this dish, serving as a vital and defining component. It is a fermented chili paste that brings the Korean fried chicken a spicy and slightly sweet flavor. Gochujang adds depth, heat, and a unique umami taste that separates Korean cuisine.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce introduces a savory and salty dimension to the Gochujang sauce, enriching its flavor profile. It enhances the umami flavors and balances the sweetness, creating a well-rounded and harmonious sauce.

Honey

Honey imparts a delightful touch of sweetness to the Gochujang sauce, harmonizing with the spiciness of the Korean fried chicken. It helps balance the spiciness of the chili paste and adds a delightful glaze to the Korean fried chicken, creating a sticky and flavorful coating. You can add a dash of brown sugar to add a caramelized and nutty flavor, but this is up to you.

Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar contributes a tangy and subtly acidic note to the sauce, enhancing its overall flavor profile. It helps brighten the dish's overall taste and balances the richness of the Gochujang and honey.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil introduces a delightful nutty aroma and flavor to the Gochujang sauce, enhancing its depth and complexity. It enhances the overall depth and complexity of the dish, adding a distinct sesame note common in Korean cuisine.

Grated Ginger

Grated ginger adds a fresh and zesty flavor to the Gochujang sauce. Grated ginger brings a gentle warmth and tanginess to the dish, harmonizing with the other ingredients and elevating the overall taste profile.

Toasted Sesame Seeds And Chopped Green Onions (For Garnish)

Toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions are optional garnishes that add visual appeal and extra flavor to the dish. The sesame seeds provide a slight crunch and a nutty taste, while the green onions add freshness and a pop of color to the final presentation.

How To Elevate This Recipe

Use Different Cuts Of Chicken

Instead of using chicken wings or drumsticks, opt for bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are known for their higher fat content and darker meat, resulting in a more flavorful and moist texture than leaner cuts. The natural fat in chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and succulent, even when cooked in the Air Fryer.

Marinate The Chicken

Before coating the chicken with flour, marinate it in a flavorful marinade for a few hours or overnight. To infuse the chicken with more depth of flavor, you can use ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.

Add A Spicy Kick

For those seeking a spicy Korean fried chicken, you can intensify the heat by incorporating extra chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the Gochujang sauce. This will enhance the heat level and give the dish an extra fiery kick.

Experiment With Different Coatings

While the basic flour and cornstarch coating is delicious, you can get creative with different coatings. For example, you can try incorporating panko breadcrumbs, potato starch, crushed cornflakes, or even crushed pretzels to add extra texture and flavor to the Korean fried chicken.

Customize The Gochujang Sauce

Tailor the Gochujang sauce to your taste preferences. Experiment with additional ingredients like garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, or even a squeeze of citrus juice to create a perfectly balanced sauce that suits your palate.

Serve With Pickled Vegetables

Accompany the Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken with a side of tangy and refreshing pickled vegetables, such as radishes or cucumber slices. The acidity and crunch of the pickles will provide a delightful contrast to the rich and spicy fried chicken.

How To Store Leftover Korean Fried Chicken

To maintain freshness, ensure the containers are tightly sealed, protecting the leftover fried chicken from air exposure. It is essential to promptly refrigerate the containers within two hours of cooking, preserving the quality of the chicken. Refrigeration helps inhibit bacterial growth and keeps the chicken safe to consume.

Leftover Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is best consumed within 3-4 days of storage. Beyond that, the quality and texture may start to deteriorate. When you're ready to savor the leftover goodness, you can restore the chicken's crispiness by reheating it. Preheat your Air Fryer to 375°F (190°C) and reheat the chicken for 3-5 minutes until it is heated through and the coating regains its delightful crispiness. Alternatively, you can use an oven or stovetop to reheat the fried chicken.

If you have leftover sauce, separate it from the fried chicken. Move the sauce into an airtight container and store it separately in the refrigerator. When ready to reheat, gently warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. Avoid overheating the sauce to avoid altering its texture or flavor.