# You’re Just 30 Minutes from the Simplest Air Fryer (or Oven Baked) Korean Fried Chicken
Believe it or not, the air fryer is the ultimate device for creating incredible homemade Korean fried chicken. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it features an ultra-crispy double-fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, all prepared in an air fryer. It’s comparable to the best hot wings ever.
## What Exactly is Korean Fried Chicken?
Korean fried chicken consists of double (and in some establishments, triple) fried exceptionally crispy wings and drummettes that are coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce. Today, we’re preparing the most common sauce, which is essentially sweet and spicy. It’s like buffalo wings enhanced with the kick of gochujang.
## Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken
We have always appreciated the concept of cooking Korean fried chicken at home, but despite our cooking enthusiasm, deep frying has never been enjoyable, so we never attempted it. Utilizing the air fryer is a brilliant approach, and this double air fry method yields a crispy chicken that competes with the finest deep-fried varieties while being considerably healthier.
## How to Prepare Korean Fried Chicken
The trick to Korean fried chicken is the double frying. Double frying in the air fryer is just as effective as deep frying, but far simpler. The key is to coat your chicken after the first fry with a light spray/mist of oil. Here’s how to prepare Korean fried chicken in an air fryer:
1. **Coat the chicken.** Begin by applying oil to the chicken to aid in heat transfer, then season with salt and pepper, and finally, dust with corn or potato starch for a lighter, crunchier outer layer.
2. **Air fry the chicken.** Set the air fryer to 400ºF for 15 minutes without preheating.
3. **Prepare the sauce.** While the chicken is air frying, mix all the sauce ingredients and heat them to a slight boil (or microwave for one minute).
4. **Flip the chicken.** After 15 minutes, turn the chicken over and continue air frying for another 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
5. **Double fry and sauce.** After cooling, spray the chicken with oil once more, then air fry for the final time at 400ºF for 5 minutes. Toss it in sauce and enjoy immediately.
## How to Prepare a Large Batch of Wings
If you need to prepare several pounds of wings, consider these methods:
– Use air fryer racks to create multiple levels of wings (ensure they fit your basket).
– Employ a baking sheet with a rack in an oven set to convection mode to mimic a large air fryer.
– Use a baking sheet with a rack in a conventional oven, which will take longer (30-50 minutes) but requires less effort than switching out baskets.
## Korean Fried Chicken Sauce
The enchanting sauce for Korean fried chicken is a blend of honey, brown sugar, gochujang, and ketchup. Ketchup is essential for authenticity. This is just one variation, as there are numerous types of Korean fried chicken sauces.
## What is Gochujang?
Gochujang is a mildly spicy fermented paste from Korea that enhances various dishes. It is available in tubs or handy squeeze bottles in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
## What If I Don’t Have Spray Oil?
Spray oil is beneficial in the kitchen, especially when using an air fryer. While you can use any oil (except olive oil due to its low smoke point), consider a high smoke point propellant-free oil or even crafting your own.
## Deep/Pan Fry Korean Fried Chicken
If you lack an air fryer, you can deep fry the chicken until it turns golden brown, let it cool, then re-fry it for a few more minutes before coating with sauce.
## Oven Baked Korean Fried Chicken
If you prefer the oven method, preheat it to 425ºF and bake the wings on the middle rack for 30 minutes, flip them, and continue for an additional 10-20 minutes (50 minutes in total). Toss in sauce once they have cooled enough to handle.
## Will This Sauce Work with Any Type of Fried Chicken?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce and mix it with store-bought or fast-food fried chicken. While the flavor may differ, it will still be delightful.
## How Does It Stack Up Against Delivery?
Korean fried chicken is available for delivery, but preparing it at home is not very labor-intensive, is more cost-effective, and will likely taste better than delivery options.
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### Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken Recipe
**Serves:** 2
**Prep Time:** 5 minutes
**Cook Time:** 25 minutes
**Total Time:** 30 minutes
#### Ingredients
– 1 lb chicken wings
– 1 tbsp oil
– 3 tbsp