Air Fryer Karaage – Easy Japanese Chicken Bites

Crispy Air Fryer Karaage for a quick snack

The concept of making Air Fryer Karaage came to me during one of those hectic weeks where time seemed to vanish. Between running my restaurant and juggling family commitments, finding moments to indulge in my love for cooking at home was becoming increasingly rare. One evening, after a particularly long day, I craved the comforting crunch of Japanese fried chicken but didn’t want to deal with the mess and time-consuming process of deep frying.

It was then that I remembered the air fryer my sister had gifted me. She had been raving about how it made cooking quick and easy without compromising on flavor or texture. Skeptical but hopeful, I decided to give it a try with one of my favorite recipes: karaage.

How to Make Air Fryer Karaage At Home

Growing up, my grandmother’s karaage was a family staple, the epitome of comfort food. The marinade was always a harmonious blend of soy sauce, sake, garlic, and ginger—simple yet incredibly flavorful. I decided to stick with this familiar marinade but adapt the cooking method.

Marinating the chicken overnight brought out all those beloved flavors, and the next day, I set to work with the air fryer. I dredged the marinated chicken pieces in a mixture of flour and potato starch to achieve that perfect crispiness. As I arranged them in the air fryer, I hoped for the best.

To my delight, the chicken emerged golden brown and beautifully crispy, just like traditional karaage but without the hassle of deep frying. The air fryer had delivered the crunch and flavor I loved, with a fraction of the effort and mess.

I served the Air Fryer Karaage with a side of spicy mayo and some pickled vegetables. The result was a delicious, healthier version of karaage that quickly became a family favorite. This recipe is a testament to the fusion of tradition and modern convenience, bringing the joy of homemade Japanese fried chicken to even the busiest of weeks.

Chef’s Notes – Air Fryer Karaage – Japanese Chicken Bites

• For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken in a single layer with some space between pieces to allow hot air to circulate properly.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy kick, or sprinkle with sesame seeds after cooking for added flavor and texture.
• Serve the Air Fryer Karaage with an Easy Healthy Fried Rice, a side our Quick Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles, or a simple green salad to make it a well-rounded meal.
• Try using different marinades like teriyaki sauce or adding a touch of honey for a sweet and savory twist.

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Air Fryer Karaage – Japanese Chicken Bites

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Main Course, SnackCuisine: JapaneseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

12

minutes

Calories

320

kcal

Resting Time

24

hours 

Total time

24

hours 

32

minutes

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate crispy and flavorful Japanese chicken bites made effortlessly in your air fryer! This recipe delivers all the deliciousness of traditional karaage without the hassle of deep frying. Perfect for a quick snack or a main course, these chicken bites are marinated to perfection and air-fried to a golden crisp. Your taste buds will thank you!

Ingredients

• For the Marinade:

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 1/4 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)

• 1 tsp freshly grated garlic

• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• For the Coating:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup potato starch (or cornstarch)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• For Cooking:

• Canola oil spray

• Alternative Ingredients:

• Soy Sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free options.

• Sake: Dry white wine or rice vinegar as a non-alcoholic substitute.

• Potato Starch: Cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

• Canola Oil Spray: Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray.

Directions

• Marinate Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sake, grated garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil to create the marinade. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to ensure they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
• Prepare Coating: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). In another bowl, whisk together the flour, potato starch, and kosher salt until well combined.
• Dredge Chicken: Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
• Air Fry Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Spray them generously with canola oil spray to ensure a crispy texture.
• Cook Chicken: Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking and spraying with additional canola oil spray to maintain crispiness.

Equipment

• air fryer
• chef’s knife
• cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• measuring cups and spoons

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320kcal
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Potassium: 450mg
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 22g
• Vitamin A: 2IU
• Vitamin C: 2mg
• Calcium: 2mg
• Iron: 10mg

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