Salt and Pepper Chicken in the Air Fryer
Takeaway salt and pepper chicken is deep-fried in a thick batter, which makes it heavy and expensive. This version uses a light cornflour coating and a little oil, so the pieces come out crisp and peppery in about 12 minutes. Salt and pepper chicken in air fryer baskets also gives you the same chilli and onion topping, without a pan of hot oil.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 27min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 300kcal
Why the air fryer works for salt and pepper chicken
The appeal of salt and pepper chicken is the contrast between a crisp, peppery crust and tender chicken. In the takeaway, that comes from deep frying. Making salt and pepper chicken in air fryer baskets uses a thin cornflour coating, which dries and crisps in the hot moving air with only a tablespoon of oil. The pieces stay light and the peppery topping stays fresh.
It is also quick. The chicken needs only 12 minutes, and the pepper, chilli and spring onion topping takes 2 minutes in a pan. If you are cooking for several people, an air fryer salt and pepper chicken batch is ready in less time than it takes to order and wait for a takeaway.
How to make salt and pepper chicken in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut and coat Cut the chicken into 2.5 cm pieces and pat dry. Toss with the egg white until lightly coated, then add the cornflour, five-spice, ½ tsp salt and the white pepper, and toss until every piece is dusted.
- Oil the pieces Drizzle 1 tbsp oil over the pieces and toss once more. This helps the cornflour crisp instead of staying chalky.
- Cook the chicken Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for . Spread the chicken in a single layer and cook for , shaking the basket after . Cook in two batches in a small air fryer.
- Prepare the topping While it cooks, slice the pepper, chilli, spring onions and garlic thinly. Stir-fry them in 1 tsp oil in a frying pan for , or cook in the air fryer for the last .
- Check and toss The Food Standards Agency says chicken is safe at 75 °C for 30 seconds, so check the largest piece. Toss the hot chicken with the topping, the remaining 1 tsp salt and the black pepper, and serve straight away.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Salt and Pepper Chicken | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast pieces, 2.5 cmShake halfway | 200 °C | 12 min |
| Boneless thigh pieces | 200 °C | 14 min |
| Chicken wingsTurn halfway | 200 °C | 22–25 min |
| Salt and pepper chipsSeason while hot | 200 °C | 18–20 min |
| Reheating leftovers | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cut the pieces evenly. Cubes of 2.5 cm cook at the same speed, so none dry out.
- Use white pepper. It gives the distinctive takeaway flavour, but black pepper alone is fine if you do not have any.
- Toss while hot. The salt, pepper and topping stick best to freshly cooked chicken.
Serving
Serve the chicken with egg fried rice, chips or a pile of steamed rice and a sweet chilli dip. For a Chinese-style feast, add spring rolls and some stir-fried vegetables. It also works as party food in a bowl with cocktail sticks.
Salt and pepper chips
Salt and pepper chips in the air fryer are a good partner. Cut 800 g potatoes into 1 cm chips, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes, drain and dry them thoroughly. Toss with 1 tbsp rapeseed oil and cook at 200 °C for 18–20 minutes, shaking every 6 minutes. Toss with the same pepper, chilli, spring onion and garlic topping, plus 1 tsp five-spice and 1 tsp salt. For more detail see the guide to chips in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Leftovers keep for up to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat them at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, shaking once, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Reheating salt and pepper chicken in air fryer baskets brings back the crunch.
Variations
- Salt and chilli chicken: Double the fresh chilli and add 1 tsp chilli flakes to the coating.
- Gluten-free: Check the five-spice powder is gluten-free. The cornflour coating is already wheat-free.
- Chicken bites: Cut the pieces into 1.5 cm cubes and cook for 8–9 minutes for a party snack.
Troubleshooting
- The coating is white and floury in places
- The cornflour was not moistened. Make sure the egg white and oil coat every piece, and shake the basket halfway so no pieces stick together.
- The chicken is pale
- The basket was too full or the air fryer was not hot. Preheat, use a single layer and cook for the full 12 minutes.
- The seasoning is too salty
- Salt gets stronger as the pieces cool. Add half the salt before cooking and the rest after, tasting as you go.
Frequently asked questions
How long does salt and pepper chicken take in an air fryer?
Fresh coated pieces of 2.5 cm take about 12 minutes at 200 °C, shaken halfway. Chicken wings need 22–25 minutes, and thigh pieces about 14 minutes.
Can you reheat salt and pepper chicken in the air fryer?
Yes. Heat it at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, shaking once, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). This restores the crispness far better than a microwave.
Can you make salt and pepper chicken wings in the air fryer?
Yes. Toss the wings in baking powder, salt and pepper and cook at 200 °C for 22–25 minutes, turning halfway. Check they reach 75 °C. Then toss in the sautéed pepper, chilli and onion mixture.
Can you cook salt and pepper chips in the air fryer?
Yes. See the salt and pepper chips section below. They take about 20 minutes at 200 °C.
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