Air Fryer Copycat KFC Chicken

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing a recipe for air fryer copycat KFC chicken! We no longer have to dream of fried chicken, we can make a delicious batch. This dish is perfect for those who are looking to enjoy the taste of KFC without all of the extra calories. Our version of this classic dish is just as delicious but much healthier!

If there’s one chicken you must perfect in the air fryer it is this copycat KFC recipe. You will amaze your friends and family with how close it tastes to the real thing! But don’t take our word for it, give it a try yourself!

Getting the KFC seasoning right is critical to the success of this dish. You’ll want to make sure you have a good blend of spices. We also like to add a little white pepper for some extra heat.

Another key component to this recipe is buttermilk. While you can use regular milk, we find that buttermilk gives the chicken a nice flavor that really takes it over the top. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dig in!

Ingredients

• 8 Chicken drumsticks
• ½ tsp White pepper
• 1 tbsp Paprika
• ½ tsp Onion powder
• ½ tsp Garlic powder
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ tsp Celery salt
• ½ tsp Thyme
• 2 Eggs
• Spray oil
• ½ cup Buttermilk
• ¼ cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• ¼ tsp Cumin

Directions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, salt, celery salt, thyme, and cumin. Mix well and set aside. This will create roughly 3 tablespoons.

3. Place 1.5 tablespoons over the chicken in mixing bowl.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together an egg and the buttermilk. Dip the chicken in the mixture, making sure each piece is well coated.

5. In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Add the remaining seasoning mixture, and stir to combine.

6. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is well coated.

7. For the second time, dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture then again in the flour mixture.

8. Spray your air fryer basket with oil, and then place the chicken in the basket. Spray the chicken pieces with oil. Make sure the pieces are not touching each other.

9. Cook for 22-25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through and spraying again with oil.

Recipe tips and variations

• If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk.
• For extra crispy chicken, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• If you like your chicken extra spicy, add more cayenne pepper to the seasoning mixture.
• Try serving this air fryer copycat KFC chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal!

FAQs

Q: Can I use boneless chicken breasts for this recipe?

A: Yes, you can! Just cook for 2-3 minutes less.

Q: What can I serve with this dish?

A: Our favorite sides to serve with air fryer copycat KFC chicken are mashed potatoes and green beans. But feel free to get creative and serve it with your favorite side dishes!

Q: Can I double or triple the recipe?

A: Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Just cook in batches if you’re doubling or tripling the recipe so that the chicken has enough space to cook evenly.

Q: I don’t have an air fryer. Can I make this recipe in the oven?

A: Yes, you can! Just bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Q: What happens to fried chicken left out overnight?

A: When meat is cooked, it should be eaten within a certain time frame to prevent bacteria from growing. Cooking meat does not kill all bacteria, only specific types. The general rule is that fried chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months. If you leave your chicken out at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be thrown out. Bacteria will continue to grow on the chicken, even if it’s been cooked, and could make you sick if consumed.

Q: Is there any other ways to do fried chicken?

A: There are many different ways to fry chicken, and each will result in a slightly different taste and texture. Some popular methods include southern-style fried chicken, which is dredged in flour and spices before being fried; Nashville hot chicken, which is coated in a spicy seasoning blend before frying; and buttermilk fried chicken, which is soaked in a tangy buttermilk mixture before being fried. You could even do truffle fried chicken. No matter which method you choose, your fried chicken will be delicious!

Q: Can I do a fried chicken platter?

A: Of course! A fried chicken platter is a great way to feed a large group of people. Simply cook up a large batch of chicken using your favorite frying method, then arrange the chicken on a platter with some sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits. Your guests will be sure to enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed this recipe for air fryer copycat KFC chicken! If you gave it a try, let us know how it turned out in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other air fryer recipes while you’re here!