Description
This Korean Fried Chicken Air Fryer recipe offers a crispy and flavorful twist on classic fried chicken using an air fryer for a healthier alternative. Coated with a crunchy cornflake crust and tossed in a sweet and spicy Korean-style sauce made with gochujang, honey, and sesame oil, these chicken tenders are packed with bold flavors and a satisfying texture. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Tenders
- 8 pieces chicken tenders
- 1 cup crushed corn flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Korean Style Sauce
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks green onion (whites and greens separated)
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Tenders: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). In a shallow dish, combine crushed cornflakes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to create the seasoned coating. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, then roll them in the seasoned cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air Fry the Chicken Tenders: Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Spray them lightly with avocado oil spray. Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Korean Style Sauce: While the chicken cooks, heat avocado oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and the white parts of the green onions; sauté until fragrant. Stir in gochujang, honey, ketchup, sesame oil, and mirin. Simmer the sauce, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in toasted sesame seeds.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders: Transfer the cooked chicken tenders to the pan with the sauce. Gently toss them until fully coated in the thick Korean-style sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Korean Fried Chicken hot, garnished with the green parts of the chopped green onions and additional toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispy chicken.
- If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute with a mix of sake and sugar or skip it.
- For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken by dipping again in egg and cornflake mixture before air frying.
- Adjust the amount of gochujang for desired heat level.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
Keywords: Korean fried chicken, air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken, gochujang sauce, Korean cuisine, healthy fried chicken