If you’ve ever craved that perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors with a crispy texture, this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe is absolutely going to rock your kitchen. It’s a healthier take on a classic favorite, delivering that satisfying crunch without drowning your chicken in oil, thanks to the magic of the air fryer. Whether you’re a weekday dinner hustler or a weekend cook, this recipe is simple, quick, and bursting with vibrant flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to mastering this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe. Each component plays a special role, from creating the perfect crispy coating to building that bold, tangy sauce that makes every bite unforgettable.
- Chicken breast or thighs: Bite-sized pieces are perfect for even cooking and a great crispyTexture.
- Cornstarch: Essential for a light, crunchy coating on the chicken.
- Egg: Helps the cornstarch stick to the chicken for a perfect crust.
- Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of chicken.
- Olive oil spray: Keeps the chicken from sticking and adds a hint of healthy fat when air frying.
- Pineapple juice: Brings natural sweetness and a tropical tang to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Adds the sharp acidity that balances sweetness beautifully.
- Soy sauce: Provides a savory umami punch to the sauce.
- Ketchup: Introduces rich depth and sweetness to the sauce base.
- Brown sugar: Rounds out the sauce with warm caramel notes.
- Garlic (minced): Adds aromatic depth and savory warmth.
- Ginger (fresh, grated or ground): Gives the sauce a subtle zing and complexity.
- Cornstarch (for thickening): Ensures the sauce clings perfectly to each chicken piece.
- Red bell pepper (optional): Adds a fresh crunch and vibrant color.
- Pineapple chunks (optional): Enhance the tropical vibe and offer juicy sweetness as a garnish.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Chicken
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper — don’t skimp here, it’s the foundation for deliciousness.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Dredge each chicken piece in cornstarch, then dip into the beaten egg, making sure every piece is well coated. This two-step coating is what gives you that gorgeous crispy crust without frying.
Step 3: Air Fry with Care
Spray your air fryer basket with a light coating of olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly. Give them a quick spray too for extra crispiness. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through so the chicken cooks golden brown and perfectly crisp on all sides.
Step 4: Whip Up the Sweet and Sour Sauce
While the chicken crisps up, prepare the sauce by combining pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and fresh or ground ginger in a saucepan. Bring this delightful mixture to a simmer over medium heat, allowing all those flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Mix cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking until it thickens to your desired consistency — thick enough to cling to the chicken without being gloopy.
Step 6: Combine and Finish
Once the chicken is perfectly air-fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with your homemade sweet and sour sauce. Make sure every piece gets luxuriously coated in that tangy, sweet goodness.
How to Serve Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish, sprinkle freshly diced red bell peppers on top. They add a pop of color and a crisp, fresh texture that contrasts wonderfully with the saucy chicken. If you’re feeling tropical, a handful of pineapple chunks scattered on the plate is a fun and flavorful touch.
Side Dishes
Classic white jasmine rice or steamed brown rice are fantastic partners here, soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce. For a refreshing balance, serve alongside steamed broccoli or snap peas, which add crunch and a healthy green element to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests or add some flair? Serve the chicken in a pineapple boat for a tropical presentation or layer it over a bed of crisp shredded cabbage to create a sweet and sour chicken salad bowl. These ideas turn a simple meal into an unforgettable culinary experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover sweet and sour chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the sauce and chicken together to retain flavor and moisture, but if you want to keep the chicken crispy, store them separately and toss together when reheating.
Freezing
This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe freezes beautifully. Place cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To bring the leftovers back to life, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes to regain crispiness, or warm gently in a saucepan over low heat if you prefer softer chicken coated in sauce. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful crunch intact.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually more forgiving and tend to stay juicier during air frying. Just cut them into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Is it necessary to coat the chicken with both cornstarch and egg?
Yes, the cornstarch creates that crispy exterior while the egg helps the coating stick to the chicken, resulting in the best texture without deep frying.
Can I make the sweet and sour sauce ahead of time?
You sure can! Make the sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just warm it up gently before tossing with your freshly air-fried chicken.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply substitute regular soy sauce with a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and double-check that your ketchup does not contain gluten ingredients.
Can I add vegetables into the air fryer with the chicken?
While you can, it’s best to air fry vegetables separately to ensure even cooking, since the chicken pieces take longer and require space for crisping.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe is a genuine game-changer in your weeknight dinner lineup — quick, tasty, and healthier than the classic takeout version. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked on the crispy texture and the perfectly balanced sauce that makes every bite sing. So, grab your air fryer and get cooking; I promise your taste buds will thank you.
Print
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken offers a healthier twist on the classic takeout favorite by using an air fryer for a crispy yet less oily finish. Bite-sized chicken pieces are coated in cornstarch and egg, air fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a tangy sweet and sour sauce made from pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. Optional garnishes like red bell peppers and pineapple chunks add freshness and color to the dish, making it a quick, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray, for air frying
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or ground
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Optional Garnishes
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for cooking the chicken.
- Season the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the seasoned chicken pieces in cornstarch, then dip them into the beaten egg, ensuring each piece is well coated for a crispy exterior.
- Prepare for Air Frying: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the basket and spray the chicken pieces with a light coat of olive oil spray to promote browning.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Cook the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking, until the chicken pieces are golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and continue simmering until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, toss the pieces in the sweet and sour sauce ensuring they are evenly coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Add diced red bell peppers and pineapple chunks on top if desired for an extra burst of color and flavor, then serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breast or thighs; thighs will be more tender and juicy.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping.
- The sauce can be adjusted to taste by increasing or reducing the sugar or vinegar for sweetness or tanginess.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.
- Leftover coated chicken can be air fried again briefly to re-crisp.
