Air fryer buttermilk fried chicken is my answer for when you want that Southern-style crunch without pulling out a deep fryer. This recipe leans on the same techniques I’ve been sharing for years, a good buttermilk soak, well-seasoned flour, and letting the chicken cook the way it’s supposed to. The air fryer handles the crisping, the chicken stays juicy, and you still get that golden crust that makes people do a double take.
This recipe was originally published in 2018 and has since been updated.
Pair this with my Southern Style Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese!
You may also enjoy my Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops, Air Fryer Homemade French Fries, and Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipes.
Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken Wings (Whole or Split)
- Buttermilk
- Flour
- Chicken Rub Seasoning, Salt, and Pepper
- Olive Oil
How to Make Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- I like to combine the seasoning with the flour. This way the breading is directly seasoned.
- After coating the chicken with buttermilk, dredge each chicken wing in the seasoned flour mixture. You can also toss the wings in a Ziploc bag with the flour and shake. Just be sure most of each wing is coated. If the entire wing isn't coated you will see uneven parts in the breading when cooked.
- Next, spray the chicken with cooking oil. Spray both sides. Spray at a distance to ensure the breading does not fly off.
- Load the chicken in the air fryer and air fry!
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Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 ½-3 pounds whole chicken wings Feel free to use split wings if you wish.
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- Chicken Rub Seasoning to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking oil I use olive oil.
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry and add them to a large bowl. Drizzle with the buttermilk. For best results, cover and store the chicken in the fridge for 30 minutes to 3 hours. This will tenderize the chicken. I typically marinate for an hour minimum, you can go up to overnight.
- Combine the flour, chicken seasoning, salt and pepper in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken. Stir and mix well.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour and seasonings. Ensure both sides of the chicken are fully coated. Use a spoon to get areas of the chicken wing that were missed.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Add the chicken wings to the air fryer. Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary. Spray the chicken with cooking oil.
- Cook for 20 minutes on 400 degrees. Stop and flip the chicken every 5 minutes, a total of 4 times.
- Use a meat thermometer and ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Add additional time if you prefer the chicken is crisper.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Cool before serving.
Notes
- You can use ¼ cup of milk plus 1 tablespoon of either white vinegar or lemon juice.
- You can substitute the chicken seasoning for ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
- If there are areas of the chicken that are still white from the flour, spritz it with oil.
- If you have trouble with getting the chicken to crisp, spritz more oil.
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Yes. You will however, not be able to bread the chicken while it's frozen. Fresh always will work better. If cooking from fronzen, allow the chicken to cook in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes first. Then continue with the breading steps.
I load the wings in the air fryer on one level, careful not to overfill the basket. If you overfill the basket it will impact your ability to obtain crunchy chicken. I do not recommend stacking the chicken.
It can take up to 25 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your chicken. Always use a meat thermometer to test the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Buttermilk is slightly acidic, which helps tenderize chicken when you soak it in it. The buttermilk will help break down the protein in the chicken without toughening up the meat. If you want tender and juicy chicken, marinating it first is your best bet.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
You can use ¼ cup of milk plus 1 tablespoon of either white vinegar or lemon juice. You can read more about How to Substitute Buttermilk here.
Yes. That’s where the flavor and tenderness come from. It’s not optional if you want it to eat right.
I set my air fryer to 400 degrees.
At least 30 minutes, but a few hours or overnight is even better if you plan ahead.
No. The buttermilk does the heavy lifting here and helps the coating stick just fine.
Usually it’s one of three things: overcrowding the basket, not spraying enough oil on the coating, or the air fryer temp being too low.
Yes. A light spray helps the flour coating crisp and brown instead of staying pale.
Yes. Flip halfway so both sides cook evenly and crisp up.
It’s best fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the air fryer and stay crispy.
I reheat the chicken on 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes or until crisp.
Recipe Tips
- Instead of shaking, I open the air fryer and turn the wings over every 5 minutes. This helps keep the breading intact. You can also shake the basket. Do what works best for you.
- Use a meat thermometer to test the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Fil-A Sandwich
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Fried Chicken Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Pair this Chicken with These Dishes
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
If you are looking for low carb air fryer wings, check out my Keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Homemade Pop Tarts
Air Fryer Southern Style Pork Chops
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Po Boy
Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Oil Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Truffle Aioli
Air Fryer Sriracha Honey Bourbon Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer 3 Ingredient Fried Catfish
Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp
Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas
Air Fryer Beef Taco Fried Egg Rolls
georgie says
oh my goodness, this looks so delicious!! I've never used or heard of an air fryer before, but I can imagine it would taste so yummy!!
Danielle says
These look so delicious - I love that they're using the air fryer too!
Tisha says
Love the idea of using the air fryer and eliminate the greasiness!
Danielle says
We love using our air fryer, but I have never used it to make crispy chicken. Going to have try that!
Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman says
I have been considering getting an air fryer for some time now, and this post may have just tipped the scale. (Pun only slightly intended.) Being able to enjoy real buttermilk fried chicken again without so much guilt sounds like heaven.
Jay Lott says
This recipe is everything! Quick and easy. Thanks for sharing!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Wendy Rutan says
Would this recipe work for chicken breasts and legs? It sounds delicious!!!
staysnatched says
Yes it will. You may have to adjust the cook time.
Ariston Teleo says
This recipe came out perfect! It was my first time using my air fryer for fried chicken wings and they came out nice and crispy and really tasted similar to the original fried chicken when using the artery clogging grease but now it’s not even necessary to cook fried foods the unhealthy traditional way.
I give this recipe 5 stars!
Alicia Dove says
Good day,
Love all of your recipes!! How do U make this receipe Keto friendly? Can I just substitute the all purpose flour for Almond flour orrrr? Thank you.
staysnatched says
You can try almond flour. I'm not really a fan of it for chicken wings. I would just make them naked fried chicken wings.
Mayah Solh says
I love this recipe. I have made it 4 times since I got my Airfryer.
staysnatched says
YUM! Thank you! It's a good one.
Tammie Neufeld says
Thank you! This is a keeper!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Maricela says
This was the first thing we made with our new air fryer! Love that you gave us a buttermilk alternative since we don’t have that in our fridge very often. I’ve tried many “fried” chicken recipes that use the oven to avoid all that frying. Air fryer is life! Why did we wait so long to get one??? Thanks for this! Now we have to make our way through your cookbook 🙂
staysnatched says
Awesome! Enjoy the cookbook!
Shunta says
I made these wings (using the same recipe in the air-fryer cookbook for chicken and waffles) and it was SO GOOD! The wings tasted just as good as deep frying but they were better because they weren't greasy and didn't leave you feeling heavy. I'll never go back to the deep fried wings again. I may even get rid of my deep fryer. Super simple and easy and clean up was so much easier too!
staysnatched says
I have a hard time eating deep fried wings now because of the air fryer!
Shayla says
Listen. This is easily the best chicken recipe I’ve ever made. I don’t even think my husband came up for air when I first made it! Seriously so good!!
staysnatched says
Lol I love to hear that!
LaKenya says
You are the reason why I love air fried wings now! They tasted just like you deep fried them in a pan of oil!
staysnatched says
YAY! You can't beat air fryer wings!
Celia says
My son has Celiac disease. Do you think I could use corn starch instead of flour? This chicken looks so good. I love my air fryer!
staysnatched says
I’ve never tested cornstarch. You could always omit the breading and air fry them without it.
MARKEEDA BROWN-ADAMS says
@Celia,
You can use baking powder, only a tbsp or 2 depending on the amount of chicken says
@Celia,