Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

square picture of korean chicken shot from overhead

4.59 from 197 votes

Just like the original deep-fried version, this one is
crunchy, crispy, spicy, and sweet. You won't be able to stop eating it.

Course Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine Korean

Keyword air fryer korean fried chicken, gochujang sauce, korean fried chicken

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 459kcal

Author Robin Donovan

Ingredients

For the chicken

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup cornstarch

For the sauce

3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons gochujang
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 garlic cloves minced
4 scallions thinly sliced
Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (see note).
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper and toss to coat the chicken. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. If you want to marinate the chicken for longer, cover and refrigerate it for as long as overnight.
Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.
Put the cornstarch in a separate shallow bowl.
Dunk the chicken pieces first in the egg and then in the cornstarch to coat. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the parchment paper in the air fryer.
Once all of the chicken is coated and arranged in the air fryer (you will likely have to do this in 2 batches), spritz or brush the chicken with a bit of cooking oil.
Air fry the chicken at 400ºF for 8 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces over, spritz or brush with a bit more oil, and then cook for another 7 minutes at 400ºF.
While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, gochujang paste, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic until well combined.
When the chicken is finished air frying, transfer it to a medium bowl and toss with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired.

Video

Notes

1. When I cook things like this in the air fryer, I like to use the round sheets of parchment paper with holes in them that are made for use in steamer baskets or air fryer baskets. This makes turning the pieces easier and also cuts down on cleanup. If you don't have those, use regular parchment paper and cut it into strips. Arrange the strips over the bottom of the air fryer, leaving space between. Arrange the chicken pieces on the strips.

2. To deep fry the chicken instead of air frying it, simply leave out the egg and dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the starch directly. Heat a vegetable or peanut oil, about 2 or 3 inches deep, in a Dutch oven or wok on the stovetop. Drop the starch-dredged chicken pieces in the hot oil and cook, turning a few times, until golden brown on all sides.

Nutrition