Soy-Free Crispy Air Fried Chicken

Craving perfectly crispy fried chicken without the soy or the guilt? This Soy-Free Crispy Air Fried Chicken delivers all the crunch and flavor you love, thanks to a unique blend of spices, buttermilk marination, and a cornflake crust that turns irresistibly golden in the air fryer. Ready in under an hour (with minimal prep!), this healthier take on fried chicken skips the deep fryer but doesn’t skimp on taste. Juicy, tender chicken thighs are seasoned to perfection and coated for maximum crunch—perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or gatherings. Serve alongside your favorite sides and watch this soy-free, air-fried masterpiece disappear in minutes!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Chicken thighs
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cups Cornflakes
• 1 as needed Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk and lemon juice together to make a buttermilk mixture.

Step 2

Add the chicken thighs to the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.

Step 3

In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and ground mustard. Whisk together to blend the dry ingredients.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg and set aside.

Step 5

Place the cornflakes in a zip-top bag and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin or a food processor.

Step 6

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off.

Step 7

Dip each piece of chicken into the seasoned flour mixture, coating all sides. Tap off any excess flour.

Step 8

Dip the flour-coated chicken into the beaten egg, ensuring an even coating.

Step 9

Finally, press the chicken into the crushed cornflakes, ensuring it's fully and evenly coated in the cornflakes.

Step 10

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Step 11

Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

Step 12

Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.

Step 13

Air fry the chicken for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

Step 14

Serve the crispy air fried chicken immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1734.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3489.0

Total Fat 150.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4g
Cholesterol 1374.4mg	0%
Sodium 4250.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 169.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.1g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 345.2g	0%

Vitamin D 464.6IU	0%
Calcium 487.1mg	0%
Iron 34.6mg	0%
Potassium 3758.8mg	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: 39.7%

Protein: 40.5%

Carbs: 19.9%