Air Fried Korean Fried Chicken
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Recipe Intro From cooklikeimbook
Craving crispy, flavorful fried chicken without the guilt? This Air Fried Korean Fried Chicken uses Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil Spray to create a perfectly crunchy texture in your air fryer—no deep frying necessary. With minimal prep and ingredients, this recipe is a fast, healthy, and satisfying option for any weeknight dinner!
Recipe Description
This air-fried Korean fried chicken recipe brings together the best of both worlds: rich, crispy chicken without the excess oil of traditional frying. Inspired by Korean flavors, the gochujang aioli adds a spicy, tangy kick, perfectly balanced by the creamy Chosen Foods Classic Mayo made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil. What I love most is how using the air fryer keeps the chicken incredibly crispy while cutting down on unhealthy fats, making this a lighter option that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Pair it with steamed rice, pickled vegetables, or a refreshing cucumber salad for a complete meal.
- Air Fried Korean Fried Chicken Ingrdients
- Test Kitchen Notes
- FAQs
- Recipe Card
Air Fried Korean Fried Chicken Ingrdients
Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil Spray: Made from 100% pure avocado oil, this spray ensures a light and even coat on the chicken, helping achieve a perfectly crispy texture in the air fryer. It's a better alternative than other cooking sprays, as it doesn't have any sub-optimal ingredients like propellants and seed oils.
Chosen Foods Classic Mayo made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil: This avocado oil-based mayo provides a rich and creamy texture, making it the perfect base for the gochujang aioli. It’s packed with healthy fats, giving the sauce a luxurious consistency.
Korean Fry Batter: This batter mix is known for creating an extra crispy, light, and airy coating, perfect for fried chicken. You can typically find it at Asian grocery stores or online retailers like Amazon. Popular brands include Beksul and Ottogi. If you can’t find it, try substituting with a blend of cornstarch, potato starch, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, gochugaru, and monk fruit (recipe below) for a similar texture and flavor.
Gochugaru: A Korean chili powder that adds a mild heat with a slightly smoky, fruity flavor. If you can't source gochugaru, you can substitute it with crushed red pepper flakes or a mild paprika for a more accessible option.
Monk Fruit: This natural, low-calorie sweetener balances the heat of the gochujang without adding sugar. It’s a great alternative for those watching their sugar intake. If monk fruit isn’t available, try substituting with a small amount of honey or maple syrup.
Test Kitchen Notes
Korean Fry Batter: Korean fry batter often contains wheat flour, so it’s not typically gluten-free. If you're following a gluten-free diet, look for gluten-free fry batters or make your own by combining cornstarch, potato starch, and seasonings. Always check ingredient labels to ensure the product meets your dietary needs.
Batter Consistency: When mixing the wet batter, aim for a pancake batter-like consistency—smooth but not too runny. This ensures the fry batter adheres evenly to the chicken and crisps up perfectly in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Tip: To achieve the crispiest chicken, spray the chicken generously with Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil Spray. This helps mimic the texture of deep-fried chicken with minimal oil. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking and give an additional spray for an extra-crisp finish.
Gochujang Aioli: For a smooth aioli, whisk the ingredients in stages. Start by mixing the warm water and gochujang until smooth, then add the avocado oil mayo and garlic. This method prevents lumps and creates a silky, cohesive sauce.
FAQs
How does Korean fried chicken stay crispy?
Korean fried chicken stays crispy thanks to a unique double coating technique. In this air fryer version, the combination of a wet and dry batter, plus a good spritz of Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray, helps recreate that signature crunch.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for thighs, but the thighs offer more flavor and tend to stay juicier when cooked. If using breast meat, check the internal temperature to prevent overcooking.
What dipping sauces go well with this fried chicken?
While the gochujang aioli is a standout, you can also serve this chicken with honey mustard, spicy sriracha mayo, or even a simple soy-based dipping sauce to complement the crispy coating.
Recipe Card
For the Chicken
ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil Spray
For the Wet Batter
ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons Korean fry batter (see substitute recipe below)
- 1/3 cup water (adjust as needed for desired consistency)
For the Dry Mix
ingredients
- 3/4 cup Korean fry batter (see substitute recipe below)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Korean Fry Batter Substitute
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons potato starch
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon gochugaru
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener
For the Gochujang Aioli
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 1/4 cup Chosen Foods Classic Mayo made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste (or 4 minced garlic cloves)
To make the chicken
Method
Step 1
Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2
In a bowl, mix the wet batter ingredients—cornstarch, Korean fry batter, and water—until smooth. Adjust the water as needed to achieve a wet batter consistency.
Step 3
Coat the seasoned chicken thighs in the wet batter.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, prepare the dry mix by combining Korean fry batter, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Dredge the coated chicken thighs in the dry mix, ensuring an even coating.
Step 5
Place the breaded chicken thighs in the air fryer and spray generously with Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil Spray.
Step 6
Air fry at 390°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through and re-spraying with avocado oil for an extra-crispy finish.
To make the Gochujang Aioli
Step 1
In a bowl, mix warm water and gochujang until smooth.
Step 2
Add Chosen Foods Classic Mayo made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil and garlic paste (or minced garlic cloves). Stir until fully combined and smooth.
Step 3
Serve the aioli on the side with the air-fried chicken, garnished with parsley if desired.