Air-Fryer "Fried" Chicken

Crispy air-fryer fried chicken brings all that golden, crunchy goodness your family craves without the guilt! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious that won’t derail your healthy eating goals. You’ll get perfectly juicy drumsticks with an amazing crispy coating in just 30 minutes.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 327 Calories, 7g Fat, 33g Carbs, 29g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken drumsticks: You’ll need 6 medium drumsticks with the skin on. The skin helps keep everything juicy and gives you that perfect crispy texture we’re after!

Kosher salt: Just 1 teaspoon divided between seasoning the chicken and the flour mixture. This helps bring out all those amazing flavors.

Ground pepper: Another teaspoon divided up, which adds that perfect little kick to complement the other seasonings.

Whole buttermilk: You’ll need 2 cups of this tangy goodness. Buttermilk makes the chicken super tender and helps the coating stick beautifully.

Large eggs: Two eggs lightly beaten help create that perfect crispy coating. Make sure they’re at room temperature for best results!

Buffalo-style hot sauce: Just 2 teaspoons adds a subtle heat that makes these drumsticks extra special. Don’t worry, it’s not too spicy!

All-purpose flour: You’ll need 2 cups for that double-dredging magic that creates the crispiest coating ever.

Salt-free Creole seasoning: 3 tablespoons of this blend brings amazing flavor without extra sodium. You can find it in any grocery store spice aisle!

How to Make Air-Fryer “Fried” Chicken

Step 1: Place your chicken drumsticks on a cutting board and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season all over with half the salt and pepper. Getting them really dry is super important for crispy results!

Step 2: Whisk buttermilk, beaten eggs, and hot sauce in a medium bowl until everything’s well combined. In another medium bowl, mix flour, Creole seasoning, and the remaining salt and pepper.

Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 365°F for 2 minutes. Lightly coat the air-fryer basket with cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Step 4: Set up a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Dredge one drumstick in flour mixture first, then dip in buttermilk mixture. Let excess drip off, then dredge in flour again until well coated. Place on the rack and repeat with remaining drumsticks.

Step 5: Working in batches, place drumsticks in the air fryer basket with space between each piece. Cook for 10 minutes, then spray each drumstick with cooking spray. Flip gently and cook another 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Chicken Version

Want to make this even faster? You can skip the double-dredging and just do one coating in flour, then buttermilk, then flour again! This cuts about 5 minutes off your prep time. You can also use regular paprika instead of Creole seasoning if that’s what you have on hand. The chicken will still turn out amazing and crispy!

Serving Ideas

This crispy air-fryer chicken makes a complete meal that everyone will love! Serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans for the perfect comfort food dinner. You could also pair it with mac and cheese and coleslaw for that classic fried chicken experience.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat in a 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes.

Substitutions

No buttermilk? Mix 2 cups regular milk with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes! You can swap the Creole seasoning for a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you don’t have Buffalo sauce, any hot sauce works great or just skip it entirely.

Pro Tips

Pat it dry: Really dry chicken is the secret to super crispy coating!
Don’t overcrowd: Give each piece space in the air fryer for even cooking.
Double spray: That second coating of oil spray halfway through makes all the difference.
Use a thermometer: Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature.
Let it rest: Give the coated chicken 5 minutes on the rack before air frying for better adhesion.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?

You bet! Bone-in thighs work perfectly with this recipe. They might cook a minute or two faster, so keep an eye on them. The cooking method stays exactly the same!

Do I need to flip the chicken?

Sure do! Flipping halfway through ensures even browning and crispiness on all sides. Just be gentle when you flip so the coating doesn’t fall off.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can definitely bread the chicken up to 2 hours ahead and keep it on the rack in the fridge. This actually helps the coating stick even better! Just air fry when you’re ready to eat.

What if my air fryer is smaller?

No worries! Just cook in smaller batches. You might need to do 2-3 drumsticks at a time depending on your air fryer size. The cooking time stays the same.

Final Thoughts

I hope you and your family absolutely love this crispy air-fryer chicken as much as we do! It’s become such a regular in our dinner rotation because it’s healthy, delicious, and so much easier than traditional fried chicken. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!