Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Easy and Delicious

Name: Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Easy and Delicious
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut to 1 inch 2-cm pieces *Footnote 1; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup cornstarch; 2 tablespoons ketchup *Footnote 1; 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or soy sauce; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons water; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon peanut oil or vegetable oil; 2 cloves garlic minced; 2 teaspoons minced ginger; 1/2 small white onion chopped; 1 bell pepper chopped (I used a mix of colors in this recipe)

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The best takeout doesn’t have to come from a restaurant anymore. Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken brings crispy, tangy, perfectly glazed bites right to your dinner tableno deep fryer, no greasy mess, just pure crunch and flavor in under 30 minutes.

I started testing this back in 2022 when a reader asked if I could recreate that sticky-sweet magic without all the oil. After six rounds of tweaking the breading and nailing the sauce ratio, I finally got that shatteringly crisp coating with tender, juicy chicken inside. It’s become one of those recipes I make on repeatmy kids fight over the extra sauce every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This one’s a weeknight miracle. You get that crispy, golden-brown coating you crave from takeout, but without standing over a pot of bubbling oil or heating up your whole kitchen. The air fryer does the heavy lifting while you chop a few veggies and whisk together a simple sauce.

AIR FRYER SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN centered hero view, clean and uncluttered

Way less oil: A light spray is all you need for that crunchy exterior
Faster than delivery: From fridge to table in 35 minutes
Juicy chicken every time: Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay tender and flavorful
Real ingredients: No mystery powders or packetsjust ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar for that tangy-sweet glaze

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything here is straightforward and likely already in your pantry. The cornstarch creates that signature crispy coating, while the Shaoxing wine and rice vinegar bring authentic depth to the sauce. If you don’t have Shaoxing wine on hand, dry sherry works beautifully.

The bell pepper and white onion add color and crunch, and using a mix of pepper colors makes the dish feel a little more special without any extra effort. Peanut oil or vegetable oil keeps things neutral so the sauce can shine.

Ingredient	Easy Swap
Boneless skinless chicken thighs	Chicken breast (reduce cook time by 3-4 minutes)
Shaoxing wine	Dry sherry
Light soy sauce	Tamari (for gluten-free)
Peanut oil	Vegetable oil
White onion	Yellow onion

How the Air Fryer Works Its Magic

Here’s what makes Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken so reliable: the cornstarch coating crisps up fast in high heat, and because the air circulates all around the chicken, you don’t need to flip it constantly. A quick spray of oil seals the deal and prevents any dry, floury spots.

Cooking at 450°F for about 13 to 14 minutes total gives you that pale golden crust on the outside and juicy, fully cooked meat on the inside. The chicken rests slightly while you quickly stir-fry the veggies and thicken the sauce, so everything comes together hot and glossy.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step	What to Do	Time
1. Marinate	Toss chicken with vegetable oil and salt; let sit 10 minutes, then coat with cornstarch	10 min
2. Air fry	Spray chicken, cook at 450°F for 8 minutes, flip, cook 5-6 more minutes until golden	13-14 min
3. Make sauce	Mix ketchup, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch in a bowl	2 min
4. Stir-fry	Heat peanut oil, cook garlic and ginger, add bell pepper and onion, pour in sauce, toss chicken	2-3 min

Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Pro Tip: Don’t skip the oil spray before air frying. Any dry cornstarch left on the surface will taste chalky and won’t crisp up properly.

If your air fryer basket is small, cook the chicken in batches so the pieces don’t overlap. Crowding traps steam and you’ll lose that crunch. And remember to stir the sauce right before pouring it into the skilletcornstarch settles fast and you want it fully dissolved for a glossy, thickened glaze.

How to Serve and Store

Serve this over steamed white rice or fried rice to soak up all that tangy sauce. A simple side of steamed broccoli or snap peas keeps things balanced and easy. Leftovers hold up well in the fridge in an airtight container.

To reheat, use your air fryer again at 375°F for about 4 minutes to bring back some of that crispiness. The microwave works in a pinch, but the coating will soften a bit.

Storage	Method	Duration
Refrigerator	Airtight container	Up to 3 days
Reheat	Air fryer at 375°F	4 minutes
Reheat (microwave)	Covered, 1-2 minutes	Coating will soften

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How I Finally Perfected Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken took me more attempts than I’d like to admit. The first few batches came out soggy, then too dry, until I figured out the right coating ratio and cooking temperature. Now it’s crispy, tangy, and exactly what I was chasing.

FAQs ( Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken )

What temperature should I cook this dish at?

Set your air fryer to 400°F for the best results. This temperature ensures the chicken pieces get crispy on the outside while staying tender inside. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even browning.

How long does it take to make this recipe?

Total prep and cook time is about 25-30 minutes. You’ll need 10 minutes for prep work including cutting chicken and mixing the sauce. The actual air frying takes 12-15 minutes depending on your preferred crispiness level.

Can I use frozen chicken pieces?

Yes, but thaw them completely first for food safety and even cooking. Pat the thawed chicken dry with paper towels before coating. Frozen chicken will create steam and prevent the crispy coating you want for this meal.

What sides go well with this meal?

Steamed jasmine rice is the classic pairing that soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. You can also serve it over fried rice, lo mein noodles, or with steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for a complete dinner.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. You can also microwave for 1-2 minutes, though it won’t be as crispy.

AIR FRYER SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN centered hero view, clean and uncluttered_pin

You’ll love how this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken turns outcrispy golden edges, tender juicy bites, and that glossy tangy sauce clinging to every piece. It takes about 30 minutes start to finish, and the payoff is pure takeout magic without leaving your kitchen.

Want to switch things up? Toss in chunks of fresh pineapple with the peppers for a tropical twist, or drizzle a little sriracha into the sauce if you like heat. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryerjust a few minutes brings back that crunch. A trick I picked up from my mom’s kitchen: always have that sauce bubbling hot before you add the chicken so it clings like it should.

I’d love to see how yours turns outtag me if you share a photo, or tell me in the comments what you served it with. Did you grow up ordering sweet and sour chicken on Friday nights? Now you can make it any night of the week. Save this one for your family, and enjoy every crispy, saucy bite.