Chicken Karaage in the air fryer
Crispy, japanese fried chicken with deep umami from soy sauce, sake and ginger — made in the air fryer with no need for a deep fryer. Classic karaage with a golden brown surface and juicy centre.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Røreskl
- 1 Frysepose eller lille skl For coating in the flour mixture
Ingredients
Marinade
- 4 tbsp japanese soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sake Can be replaced with dry sherry
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 clove garlic Finely chopped or grated
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger Grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Chicken and coating
- 600 g boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp potato starch Katakuriko if possible
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp neutral oil For brushing or spraying
For serving
- 1 pcs lemon Cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp chopped spring onion
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut 600 g boneless skinless chicken thighs into pieces of about 3-4 cm.
- Stir 4 tbsp japanese soy sauce, 2 tbsp sake, 2 tbsp mirin, 2 clove garlic, 1 tbsp fresh ginger and 1 tsp sesame oil together in a bowl. Toss the chicken pieces in the marinade, cover, and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Mix 4 tbsp potato starch and 2 tbsp cornstarch in a small bowl or a freezer bag.
Cooking in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C fan.
- Let the chicken drip off lightly and toss the pieces in the flour mixture so they are evenly coated on all sides. Shake off excess flour.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer so the pieces do not touch each other. Spray or brush lightly with 1 tbsp neutral oil.
- Cook for 12-14 minutes at 190 °C, turning halfway, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy and cooked through with an internal temperature of 75 °C.
For serving
- Arrange the warm karaage on a platter. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped spring onion and serve with 1 pcs lemon cut into wedges to squeeze over the chicken.
Notes
Tips for a perfect result:
Potato starch gives the classic crispy japanese crust — don't replace it entirely with wheat flour. Make sure to place the chicken in a single layer so the hot air can circulate freely around each piece. Extra crispiness without a deep fryer:
Toss the pieces one more time in the flour mixture just before putting them in the air fryer, and let them rest for 2 minutes so the flour binds the moisture. Spray with oil again halfway through cooking for an even deeper golden surface. Variation:
Use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat — reduce the time to 10-12 minutes. Add a pinch of chilli flakes to the marinade for a stronger twist, or swap sake for rice wine if it's easier to find. Serving:
Serve with steamed jasmine rice, japanese mayo (kewpie) and a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar. Also works as tapas with lemon wedges and a dip in mayo. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can make the dish in two batches and keep the first portion warm under aluminium foil.
Potato starch gives the classic crispy japanese crust — don't replace it entirely with wheat flour. Make sure to place the chicken in a single layer so the hot air can circulate freely around each piece. Extra crispiness without a deep fryer:
Toss the pieces one more time in the flour mixture just before putting them in the air fryer, and let them rest for 2 minutes so the flour binds the moisture. Spray with oil again halfway through cooking for an even deeper golden surface. Variation:
Use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat — reduce the time to 10-12 minutes. Add a pinch of chilli flakes to the marinade for a stronger twist, or swap sake for rice wine if it's easier to find. Serving:
Serve with steamed jasmine rice, japanese mayo (kewpie) and a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar. Also works as tapas with lemon wedges and a dip in mayo. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can make the dish in two batches and keep the first portion warm under aluminium foil.
Nutrition
Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 30gFat: 17gSaturated fat: 4gPolyunsaturated fat: 3gMonounsaturated fat: 7gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1100mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 2mgNet carbohydrates: 13g
