Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken without Buttermilk + Video

Name: Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken without Buttermilk
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 27 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 1 cup flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 5 chicken thighs ((bone-in, skin-on)); cooking oil spray ((canola, olive, vegetable, avocado))

By: Ivory · Published: Jul 14, 2023 · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links, see disclosure.

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Air Fryer Fried Chicken Without Buttermilk - Craving crispy fried chicken without all the grease and hot stove? You’ve come to the right place! This quick and easy air fried chicken recipe has all the flavors and crunchiness you could ask for. Serve these with Fried Cabbage with Sausage, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, or Air Fryer Crinkle Cut Fries.

Air fryer fried chicken thighs in a black air fryer basket.

Table of Contents show

Recipe Video:

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Air Fryer Fried Chicken is one of the best ways to enjoy fried chicken without the extra oil. The air fryer gets the chicken super crispy with almost no cooking oil needed! A healthy alternative to deep frying chicken.
This recipe is super easy with simple ingredients. No buttermilk or egg required. This recipe has become a favorite at my house!
No hot oil or hot stove. The air fryer makes it easy to make fried chicken. Even an air fryer beginner can make it.

Air fryer fried chicken thigh being lifted up from a black air fryer basket with pink tongs.

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Q&A:

Can I use a different type of chicken instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken legs or wings for this recipe. Please note that the cook time will vary. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can the seasonings be adjusted to suit my taste?

Absolutely! Any of the seasonings in this recipe can be adjusted to your preference.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Fried Chicken?

Equipment Needed:

Air Fryer
Large Mixing Bowl
Whisk

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs - I used small sized chicken thighs. I was able to fit 5 pieces in my 6 quart air fryer at once.
Flour - All-purpose flour
Garlic Power
Dried Oregano
Smoked Paprika
Cinnamon - This is my secret ingredient. My mom would always add a touch of cinnamon to fried chicken to make it extra special and delicious.
Salt & Ground Black Pepper
Cooking Oil Spray - I used canola oil spray. You can use olive, avocado oil, or vegetable oil as well. You won't need much as the chicken skin produces enough oil to make the chicken crispy.

Air Fryer Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, and cinnamon. Stir until the ingredients are well blended.

Various ingredients in a silver mixing bowl stirred until well blended to make a seasoned flour mixture.

2. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and use your hands to toss the chicken (you can wear disposable gloves), ensuring that it is thoroughly coated with the seasoned flour. Alternatively, you can place the flour and seasonings in a large Ziploc bag, add the chicken, and shake it until the chicken is well coated.

Bone-in chicken thighs added to seasoned flour in a silver mixing bowl and tossed until well coated.

3. Preheat your air fryer to 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius).

Black air fryer panel with a silver dial set to 365 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

4. Once the air fryer is ready, place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side up, in a single layer. Cook for 20 minutes.

Bone-in chicken thighs coated with seasoned flour added to a black air fryer basket and cooked for 20 minutes.

5. After the chicken has cooked for 20 minutes, open the air fryer basket and spray or brush any remaining white flour areas of the chicken with cooking oil. Close the basket and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

Cooking oil being sprayed from a white bottle onto the remaining white spots on top of bone in chicken thighs partially cooked in a black air fryer basket.

6. After 5 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Partially cooked bone in chicken thighs being flipped over to skin-side-down with pink and silver tongs in a black air fryer basket.

7. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to cool slightly. Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

Air fried bone-in skin-on chicken thigh topped with chopped parsley in a black air fryer basket.

Try these Air Fryer Chicken Recipes Next!

Recipe Variations And Substitutions:

Drumsticks, wings, or breast can be used for this recipe, however, the cook time will vary. Make sure that the chicken is cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, keep in mind that boneless chicken breast and boneless chicken thighs will cook faster.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit and heat for 2-3 minutes until crispy.

Pro Tips:

Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Place chicken in a single layer only.
According to the USDA, chicken should be cooked to an internal temp of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The air fryer I used was the Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart. Since all air fryers are different, you will need to adjust the cook time based on the air fryer you are using.

Try These Easy Air Fryer Recipes Next!