Dairy-Free Crispy Air Fried Chicken

Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinners with this irresistibly flavorful Dairy-Free Crispy Air Fried Chicken! This recipe transforms tender boneless chicken thighs into golden, crunchy perfection—all without the use of dairy. A simple almond milk and apple cider vinegar mixture serves as a tangy, dairy-free buttermilk substitute, ensuring every bite stays juicy and infused with flavor. The chicken is coated in a perfectly seasoned blend of flour and cornstarch, delivering an ultra-crispy texture that rivals deep frying but with a fraction of the oil. Using your air fryer, this healthier twist on a classic comfort food is ready in just 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy schedules. Serve it alongside your favorite dipping sauces, salads, or sides for a crowd-pleasing meal that's both guilt-free and delicious. Perfect for those seeking dairy-free, easy air fryer recipes with maximum crunch!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup Almond milk
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 0 Olive oil spray

Directions

Step 1

In a bowl, mix the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to create a dairy-free buttermilk substitute.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a separate shallow dish, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3

Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the buttermilk substitute and ensure each piece is well coated. Let them marinate for 10 minutes.

Step 4

In a separate dish, mix the all-purpose flour and cornstarch together.

Step 5

Remove each chicken thigh from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off before dredging it in the flour and cornstarch blend. Ensure each piece is evenly coated.

Step 6

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Place the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Step 9

Lightly spray the top of the chicken with olive oil spray. Be careful not to oversaturate as this may affect crispiness.

Step 10

Cook the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes, then turn the chicken pieces over and spray again lightly with olive oil.

Step 11

Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).

Step 12

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your crispy, dairy-free air fried chicken!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(811.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1474.9

Total Fat 49.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 500mg	0%
Sodium 2859.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 131.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.7g	0%
Total Sugars 17.8g
Protein 119.1g	0%

Vitamin D 106.1IU	0%
Calcium 488.5mg	0%
Iron 11.1mg	0%
Potassium 1313.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.6%

Protein: 33.0%

Carbs: 36.4%