Description
This Korean Fried Chicken Air Fryer recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on a classic favorite using an air fryer for a healthier crunch. Tender chicken tenders are coated in a seasoned crushed cornflakes mixture, air-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a sweet and spicy homemade Korean-style gochujang sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a delightful dish that combines easy preparation with bold, authentic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Tenders and Coating
- 8 pieces chicken tenders
- 1 cup crushed corn flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
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
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to preheat while prepping the chicken.
- Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine crushed corn flakes with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender fully into the egg mixture, then roll it gently but firmly in the crushed corn flakes mixture to ensure a good coating.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch to allow even air circulation.
- Oil Spray: Lightly spray the chicken tenders with avocado oil spray to help achieve a golden and crispy texture during air frying.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Cook the tenders in the preheated air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking until they are golden brown and fully cooked internally.
- Prepare the Korean Style Sauce: While the chicken cooks, heat avocado oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and white parts of green onions until fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in gochujang, honey, ketchup, sesame oil, and mirin into the saucepan. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish Sauce: Remove from heat and mix in toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken tenders to the saucepan and gently toss them in the sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve: Plate the coated Korean fried chicken tenders hot, garnished with chopped green onion greens and additional toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper circulation and even cooking.
- You can substitute chicken tenders with chicken wings or drumsticks, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra gochujang to the sauce.
- If you don’t have mirin, a mixture of rice vinegar and sugar can be used as a substitute.
- Use avocado oil spray or any high smoke point oil spray for best crispiness.
Keywords: Korean fried chicken, air fryer chicken tenders, Korean chicken recipe, crispy chicken, gochujang sauce, Korean cuisine