Best Air Fryer Karaage Chicken Recipe – Crispy & Juicy
Golden, juicy, and crisp this air fryer karaage chicken is a lighter take on the classic Japanese fried favorite. With bold umami flavor and a crunchy potato starch coating, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, or party snacks without the mess of deep frying!
Equipment
- airfryer
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or chopsticks
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, if you prefer will work for this recipe.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sake or mirin/rice vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp white pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ –¾ cup potato starch or tapioca flour/cornstarch
- Oil spray neutral oil like avocado or canola
- Optional: lemon wedges chopped green onions, or Japanese mayo for dipping
Instructions
- Step 1: Marinate the Chicken: Cut chicken into 2-inch pieces. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sake, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper, and mix well. Add chicken and mix to coat. Cover and let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Step 2: Coat with Potato Starch: Remove chicken from marinade and pat off excess liquid. Coat each piece evenly in potato starch. For extra crunch, mix a few drops of marinade into the starch before coating.
- Step 3: Preheat and Load the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes. Spray the basket with oil and place chicken pieces in a single layer—don’t overcrowd.
- Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection: Air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes. Flip chicken, spray lightly with oil, then increase temp to 400°F (200°C) and cook for another 8–10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 5: Serve and Garnish: Serve hot with lemon wedges, a drizzle of spicy mayo, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
📝 Notes
Don’t have potato starch?You can use cornstarch or tapioca starch—just make sure to coat lightly and evenly. Chicken breast option:
If using breasts, marinate slightly longer and keep an eye to avoid drying out during cooking. 💡 Pro Tips
- Preheat your air fryer every time for that signature karaage crunch.
- Don’t overcrowd—cook in batches if needed.
- Mix a little marinade into your starch for extra craggy texture.
- Spray with oil before AND after flipping for best golden crispiness.
- Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Reheat: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 7–8 minutes to bring back the crisp. Avoid using the microwave.