Not your mama’s fried chicken: 19 air fryer upgrades

Photo of author

| Published:

Think you know fried chicken? These 19 air fryer recipes are delicious twists on the classics. They offer all the crispy, juicy goodness you crave without the mess, hassle, and extra calories of traditional deep frying. It’s a modern spin on an old favorite!

A hand holding a crispy piece of fried chicken made with an air fryer.
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is crispy, crunchy, spicy, and sweet. It’s easy to make and you won’t be able to stop eating it. You won’t miss the extra oil and mess of deep frying one bit.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Salt and Pepper Chicken

Air fryer salt and pepper chicken in a black bowl lined with parchment.
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken is crispy, crunchy, spicy, and an ideal match for a cold beer. The air fryer makes it healthy and easy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken

Orange Chicken

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Orange Chicken is crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed in an addictive sweet-savory sauce made with orange juice and zest. Based on the popular Chinese takeout dish, this healthy and easy air fryer version is a total crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Hand holding a fried chicken drumstick.
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

I love this Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken so much. It’s tender inside, crunchy outside, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Sesame Chicken

low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Do you love crispy, sweet-savory Sesame Chicken from your favorite Chinese restaurant? My family says this air fryer version is just as good!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Air fryer fried chicken sandwich with all the fixings on a white plate.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

What’s better than a crispy, spicy, fried chicken sandwich? An Air Fryer Fried Chicken Sandwich! It’s easier to make and better for you.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken Sandwich

Chicken 65

overhead shot of a plate of chicken 65.
Chicken 65. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken 65 is a spicy, crispy fried chicken from South India loaded with intense flavors of ginger, garlic, curry leaves, cumin, and chilies. And yes, you can make it in the air fryer!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken 65

Classic Fried Chicken

fried chicken in a basket lined with parchment paper.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This basic Air fryer fried chicken is easy to make and so good. It’s crispy on the outside and tender and flavorful on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Chicken Cutlets

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets on a white plate with bell pepper salad and roasted cauliflower.
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets. Photo Credit: Glenda Embree Blog.

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are crispy, tender, juicy and flavorful. You can’t beat a scrumptious, kid-friendly recipe that is loved by adults, too. Enjoy delicious “fried” chicken in under 30 minutes with no greasy mess!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu on a white plate with House Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo Credit: Glenda Embree Blog.

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu is tender chicken breast stuffed with smoky ham and melty Swiss cheese and then coated in crispy Panko. It’s a scrumptiously simple air fryer recipe that can be prepped and cooked in under 30 minutes. One of our best quick and easy chicken recipes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Breaded Chicken Tenders

4 breaded chicken tenders on a white plate with a napkin
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Chicken Air Fryer Recipes.

These Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders come out crispy and golden every time! They pair perfectly with your favorite dippings sauce. Adults and kids will loved these breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders

Chicken Katsu Sandwich

Air fryer chicken katsu sandwich on a white plate with katsu sauce and parsely in the background
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Sandwich. Photo credit: Chicken Air Fryer Recipes.

This Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich is a delicious spin on a traditional Japanese food. This chicken tender Katsu sandwich is super easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Sandwich

Chicken Katsu

Air fryer chicken katsu topped with katsu sauce on a plate with rice and cucumbers.
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu . Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Thinly sliced chicken cutlets are coated in panko and air fried to crispy perfection in this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu recipe. The crispy coating, juicy chicken, and homemade katsu sauce combine to form a fantastic blend of sweet flavor you will love!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Katsu

Chicken Tenders

5 air fryer chicken tenders with flour on a white plate with a brown napkin topped with parsley
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with flour. Photo credit: chicken Air Fryer Recipes.

These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders With Flour are super light and delicious. These chicken tenders are a big hit in my household I’m sure they will be in yours also! Have these delicious crispy chicken tenders done in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with flour

Chicken Parmesan

Breaded air fryer chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese on a bed of pasta.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer chicken parmesan is crispy outside, juicy inside and covered with gooey melted cheese! It is the perfect quick and easy meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich

Copycat Chick-fil-A sandwich with tomato, lettuce and cheese.
Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Prepare a juicy air fryer chicken sandwich at home anytime, with the help of this copycat Chick-Fil-A recipe! When you are craving a crispy chicken sandwich, this recipe is easy to make, even on Sundays.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich

Katsu Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken katsu topped with katsu sauce on a plate with rice and cucumbers.
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Thighs are crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s topped with a sweet and deliciously tangy sauce. Serve it with a batch of rice and you are good to go!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Thighs

Bang Bang Chicken

Bang bang chicken on a serving platter surrounding a bowl of bang bang sauce.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken features crispy and juicy chicken cubes drizzled with a sweet and spicy sauce! The cubes are marinated, breaded, and air fried for crispy chicken bites.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.