If you want crispy, golden Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken without the mess or cost of takeout, this recipe delivers. The chicken turns out juicy on the inside with a perfectly seasoned, crunchy coating—all using simple, affordable ingredients.
It’s a family-tested favorite that makes busy weeknights easier while still giving you that classic Southern fried chicken flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
I started making this when I wanted that classic Southern fried chicken taste without the hassle of frying on the stove. After a few tests, this version became our go-to because it’s easy, affordable, and always turns out with a crispy texture and each bite is so juicy.
- No deep frying, less mess, and easier cleanup
- Uses pantry staples to keep it budget-friendly
- Crispy outside with tender, juicy chicken inside
- Great for feeding a family without extra cost
- Easy to switch between drumsticks, thighs, or breasts
- Perfect for weeknights, leftovers, or meal prep
If you love this air fryer recipe, then you must try Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe and Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings.
Quick Glance at this Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
- Cooking Method: Air Fryer
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, buttermilk, flour, simple spices
- Budget Tip: Use drumsticks or thighs for the most affordable option
Ingredients
- Chicken Pieces – Use skin on chicken such as bone-in chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. You can also use boneless chicken, just reduce cooking time about 3 minutes.
- Buttermilk – This works best to stick to the chicken
- Large Eggs – Binds the ingredients
- Spices – Simples spices is all you need – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned salt, paprika, onion powder. You can even add in hot sauce for an extra kick of spice.
- All-Purpose Flour – Gives crispy textire
- Oil for spraying chicken – vegetable, canola oil or olive oil
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken
Step 1 – First, wash and dry chicken and set aside.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, salt and pepper until the egg mixture is well combined.
Step 3 – In another large bowl, whisk together flour, and seasonings.
Step 4 – Coat chicken with flour mixture. Next, dredge in buttermilk mixture in a shallow dish. Then repeat in flour mixture to coat the chicken with the batter.
Step 5 – Place chicken in air fryer basket, spray basket with oil and leave room around each piece to allow air to flow.
Step 6 – Spray chicken with oil. Air Fry at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Turn chicken over and spray with more oil. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden and with a crispy coating.
Step 7 – Repeat with remaining chicken. Serve this southern-style chicken immediately with Chicken Dipping Sauce or honey.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the basket — air needs to circulate for crispiness. We recommend to work in batches.
- Spray the chicken well — this helps mimic deep frying
- Flip halfway through cooking for even browning
- Use similar-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy
Seasoning Variations
Feel free to change the spices when making this air fryer fried chicken. These are some of our favorite additions.
Serving Suggestions
Fried chicken is great with this easy coleslaw recipe, Cornbread, Baked Mac and Cheese and baked beans. Lazy day crockpot baked beans are super easy and a favorite around here. We also like these quick and easy baked beans or Easy Cream Corn Recipe
Traditional potato salad or German potato salad also go great with friend chicken. Add a side of Chicken Dipping Sauce, Cane’s Chicken Sauce Recipe or Learn How to Make White Gravy for even more flavor.
Storage & Freeze Instructions
- Fridge – Store leftover Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat – Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to keep the coating crispy
- Freezer – Let chicken cool completely before freezing. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you will need to coat chicken with oil prior to cooking in the air fryer.
Essentially, the air fryer moves air quickly over food similar to broiling it in an oven that it gives the food a similar tastes to food that has been fried in oil. It is crispy and delicious without all of the oil!
The air fryer doesn’t require a large amount of oil like a traditional fryer requires so foods cooked in the air fryer generally have less calories and less fat than fried foods.
You will need to cook this recipe with the skin-on chicken. We used chicken legs and thighs but you can also use chicken wings, chicken thighs or chicken breast.
Yes, it uses significantly less oil while still delivering crispy results.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skin on chicken legs and thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for spraying chicken – vegetable canola or olive oil
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Wash and dry 2 pounds skin on chicken legs and thighs, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups buttermilk, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
- In another large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Coat chicken with flour mixture
- Then dip in buttermilk mixture
- Then repeat in flour mixture
- Place chicken in air fryer basket, spray basket with oil and leave room around each piece to allow air to flow
- Spray chicken with oil
- Cook at 370 degrees F for 15-20 minutes
- Turn chicken over and spray with more oil
- Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden
- Repeat with remaining chicken
- Serve immediately
- Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container
Delicious chicken
Jayme – Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review. I’m so happy to hear that you loved this chicken!
Love this recipe. Easy to do and taste great.
I followed the recipe as written. Came out GREAT! Was delicious and my husband loved it. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – thanks for sharing!