Air Fryer KFC-Style Fried Chicken 🍗
Crispy, juicy, and packed with that classic KFC-style flavor—right from your air fryer!
Ingredients
For the Chicken
8 chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings, or breasts)
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Seasoned Coating
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
1 teaspoon celery salt (optional)
For Air Frying
Cooking spray or a little oil spray
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together:
buttermilk
egg
salt
black pepper
Add chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). - Prepare the Coating
In another large bowl, mix:
flour
paprika
garlic powder
onion powder
oregano
basil
thyme
black pepper
white pepper
salt
mustard powder
celery salt - Coat the Chicken
Remove chicken from marinade.
Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing firmly so the coating sticks well.
For extra crispiness, dip again lightly in buttermilk and coat a second time. - Air Fry
Preheat air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with cooking spray.
Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
Cook for:
Drumsticks/Wings: 22–25 minutes
Thighs: 25–28 minutes
Breasts: 20–25 minutes
Flip halfway through cooking and spray lightly again if needed.
Cook until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
Serve With
Mashed potatoes
Coleslaw
Fries
Biscuits
Corn on the cob