Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken

This Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken delivers crispy, golden bites with juicy, tender chicken inside—no deep frying needed. Packed with bold seasoning and crunch, it’s perfect for snacking, dipping, or serving as a quick family dinner.

Craving that crispy, bite-sized chicken from your favorite drive-thru? This Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken brings all that crunchy, seasoned goodness right into your kitchen, without the grease or mess.

Each piece cooks up golden on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it perfect for dipping, snacking, or turning into a quick weeknight dinner everyone will actually be excited about.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Crispy Without Frying: You get that crunchy coating without all the oil and mess.
• Quick and Easy: Ready fast, making it perfect for busy nights.
• Kid-Approved: Bite-sized pieces that are fun and easy to eat.
• Better Than Takeout: Fresh, hot, and made exactly how you like it.
• Perfect for Dipping: Great with ranch, BBQ, honey mustard, or your favorite sauces.

KFC Popcorn Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, or boneless skinless chicken thighs that have been diced into bite-sized pieces
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
• Buttermilk: You can also use whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk
• Egg: Use a large, room-temperature egg
• Breadcumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs, seasoned breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or crushed pork rinds.
• Seasonings and Spices: Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken

Step 1: Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and set aside—reserve ¼ cup of flour in a small bowl for later use. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings together until well mixed.

Step 2: To begin dredging, toss a chicken bite into the bowl of plain flour to evenly coat all sides. Dip the floured chicken piece into the egg mixture, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly. Place the coated chicken piece onto a large plate, and repeat steps 5 and 6 until all the chicken is coated.

Step 3: Line a layer of dredged chicken pieces onto the bottom of your oiled basket. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking spray. Set your air fryer temperature to 380 degrees F and set cook time for 10-14 minutes, tossing the chicken halfway through by shaking the basket or using tongs.  Times may vary depending on your air fryer and chicken bite size.

Step 4: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe Tips

• Cut the chicken into small pieces: Cut it into bite-sized pieces to ensure that they cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
• Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours to make it tender and flavorful.
• Double-dip the chicken: Double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture and buttermilk for extra crispy popcorn chicken. This will create a thicker coating that will become crispy when air fried.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Spray the chicken with oil: Lightly spray it before air frying to ensure it gets crispy on the outside.
• Shake the basket: Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure the chicken is evenly cooked.
• Check the chicken: Check the chicken frequently during cooking to avoid overcooking or burning. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Serve with your favorite dipping sauce: Serve the air fryer copycat KFC popcorn chicken with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.

Storing, Freezing and Reheating Instructions

• Storing Instructions: Keep leftover popcorn chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Make sure it’s cooled completely before storing to maintain crispiness.
• Freezing Instructions: Place cooled popcorn chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the chicken soggy.

Easy Air Fryer Copycat KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe Faqs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe? Yes! Just slightly thaw the pieces first or increase cooking time by a few minutes. The air fryer will still give you a crispy exterior.

Can I make this gluten-free? Absolutely! Swap regular flour and breadcrumbs with a gluten-free blend or crushed gluten-free cereal for a crunchy coating.

How do I store leftovers? Place cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, but cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can make the chicken less crispy.

What dipping sauces go best with this popcorn chicken? Classic ketchup, honey mustard, ranch, or a spicy buffalo sauce all pair perfectly with these bites.

More KFC Copycat Air Fryer Recipes

• COPYCAT KFC COLESLAW
• COPYCAT KFC HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE
• KFC COPYCAT POTATO WEDGES (AIR FRYER)
• AIR FRYER COPYCAT KFC SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH
• AIR FRYER COPYCAT KFC FRIED CHICKEN
• AIR FRYER COPYCAT KFC BISCUITS
• KFC ORIGINAL RECIPE CHICKEN (COPYCAT)

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