Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Bring the vibrant flavors of Korean street food into your home with this lighter, air-fried version of the classic spicy chicken. This recipe delivers incredibly crispy, juicy chicken pieces coated in a signature spicy-sweet gochujang glaze without the need for deep frying. It is the perfect balance of heat, honeyed sweetness, and savory depth.

Save

Whether you are hosting a dinner party or looking for a special weeknight meal, these chicken bites are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The aroma of garlic, ginger, and sesame oil will fill your kitchen as you toss the hot chicken in the simmering glaze.

Ingredients

• Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice wine (mirin or sake), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ginger powder
• Coating: 1 cup potato starch (or cornstarch), 2 large eggs (beaten), cooking spray or neutral oil
• Gochujang Glaze: 1/4 cup gochujang, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp sesame oil
• Garnish: 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 2 green onions (thinly sliced)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

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

Step 2: Preheat

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a hot environment for immediate crisping.

Step 3: Double Coating Process

Dredge each marinated chicken piece in potato starch, dip it into the beaten eggs, then dredge again in potato starch for a superior, extra-crispy crust.

Step 4: Arrange in Basket

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch to allow proper air circulation.

Step 5: Air Fry

Spray the tops of the chicken with oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip each piece, spray again, and cook for another 8–10 minutes until golden-brown and cooked through.

Step 6: Prepare the Glaze

While the chicken fries, combine gochujang, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7: Glaze the Chicken

Remove the hot chicken from the air fryer and toss immediately in the warm gochujang glaze until every piece is thoroughly coated.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the chicken to a platter and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For an extra kick of heat, you can stir a pinch of Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) into the glaze. To ensure the best results, always verify your product labels for gluten content, especially in the gochujang and soy sauce.

Varianten und Anpassungen

If you prefer leaner meat, you can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast, though you should reduce the air frying time slightly to prevent the meat from drying out. For a gluten-free version, use tamari in place of soy sauce.

Serviervorschläge

Serve these spicy chicken bites with a side of steamed white rice and traditional Korean pickled radish (mu-saengchae) to provide a cooling contrast to the fiery glaze.

Save

This Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is a testament to how modern cooking tools can recreate traditional favorites with ease. With its glossy, spicy coating and satisfying crunch, it is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What cut of chicken works best for this dish?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide juicy and flavorful results due to their higher fat content compared to breast meat.

→ How does the double coating enhance the chicken?

Dredging the chicken twice in potato starch and egg creates an extra-crispy exterior when air-fried while sealing in moisture.

→ Can I adjust the spiciness of the glaze?

Yes, add Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) for extra heat or reduce the gochujang amount for a milder glaze.

→ Is an air fryer necessary for this method?

The air fryer achieves crispiness with less oil, but you can also pan-fry or oven-bake with adjustments in cook time and oil usage.

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

Steamed rice and pickled radish complement the bold glaze and provide balance to the meal.

→ How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and confirm the gochujang used is labeled gluten-free.