Crispy Air Fryer Karaage Recipe (Japanese Fried Chicken)

air fryer karaage (fried chicken thighs) on a plate with mayo and lemon wedges

5 from 2 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Karaage Recipe (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Air fryer chicken karaage transforms traditional Japanese fried chicken into a healthier yet incredibly crispy delicacy that will transport your taste buds straight to Japan. The juicy, tender chicken pieces encased in a golden, crackling exterior deliver that satisfying crunch without the guilt of deep frying. Trust me, this might just become your new favorite way to enjoy this iconic Japanese comfort food.

Prep Time10

Cook Time14

Marinating Time30

Total Time54

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Servings: servings

Calories: 318kcal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup potato starch
1/2 tsp sea salt
Cooking spray
Optional: Kewpie mayo or Japanese mayo, for dipping
Optional: lemon slices to serve

Marinade

2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari sauce for gluten free
1 tbsp cooking sake or rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 garlic cloves minced

Instructions

Combine all ingredients for the marinade in a resealable bag. Add the chicken and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight in the fridge.
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cooking sake, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 garlic cloves
When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. In a wide shallow bowl, stir together potato starch and sea salt.
1 cup potato starch, 1/2 tsp sea salt
Transfer the marinated chicken pieces to the potato starch and dredge until evenly coated the chicken doesn't show.
Spray the air fryer basket or tray evenly with cooking spray. Place the coated chicken in a single layer, then spray the top with cooking spray. Air fry for 14-16 minutes until crisp and crunchy - flipping and spraying again halfway through.
Cooking spray
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and Kewpie mayo.
Optional: Kewpie mayo, Optional: lemon slices

Oven Instructions

If you don't have an air fryer, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a wire rack or spray it with cooking spray, then place over in a foil lined or parchment paper lined baking sheet. If you don't have a wire rack, you can just cook on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place chicken on the rack in a single layer, then spray the top with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes - flipping and spraying again halfway through.

Video

Notes

- Don't rush the marination process. While 30 minutes works in a pinch, longer marination (up to overnight) will yield more flavorful karaage. The soy sauce and sake work together to tenderize the meat while infusing it with depth of flavor.

- Pat the chicken pieces dry before coating them in starch. Excess moisture will prevent that crispy coating from forming properly.

- For best results, make sure to spray both the air fryer basket and the top of the coated chicken pieces with cooking spray before air frying. This helps achieve that golden color and crunch factor that rivals deep-fried versions.

- Resist the urge to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to ensure the chicken pieces have room for the hot air to circulate around them. This is crucial for achieving that signature crispiness.

- If using chicken breast instead of thighs, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to prevent the meat from drying out.

- The key to restaurant-quality karaage is fresh ginger and garlic – pre-minced versions won't deliver the same aromatic punch.

Nutrition