Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Published Dec 02, 2023
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You loved my Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken recipe, so I had to develop an Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken that came out JUST as crispy as the regular version! The chicken is juicy and delicious, with my tips for making the Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken below! You’ll love the crispy texture – I guarantee it!
Watch the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe Video Below!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
You only need a few ingredients to make this Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. Here is what you’ll need to make it!
Want a non-meat alternative? Try my super crispy Air Fryer Tofu!
- Chicken
- chicken thigh cut into 2″ pieces; if you want wings instead, make my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, which is the top recipe on my site!
- soy sauce
- ginger
- garlic
- white pepper
- shaoxing wine
- egg (white only)
- coarse sweet potato flour
- Seasoning
- five spice powder
- white pepper
- salt
- sugar
- Misc Ingredients
- fresh basil (Thai or regular basil)
Want to fry chicken instead? Make my easy Fried Chicken! Feeling like pork? Make Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly!
What is Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken?
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is a super popular street food snack! If you’ve never had these crispy, juicy pieces of chicken, here are its key characteristics:
- Bite-Sized Delight: Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken features small, bite-sized pieces of tender chicken, making it a convenient and satisfying snack.
- Irresistible Crispiness: The chicken is deep-fried to perfection, resulting in a crispy and crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the juicy meat inside. This is the result of using coarse (thick) coarse sweet potato flour as the dredge which gives it its unique exterior!
- Flavorful Marinade: The chicken is marinated with a mix of spices and seasonings, which imparts a savory and aromatic flavor profile, often with hints of garlic, five-spice powder, and more.
- Seasoned to Perfection: It is traditionally seasoned with a combination of salt and pepper, delivering a harmonious balance of savory and spicy notes that tickle the taste buds.
- Street Food Sensation: Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is a popular street food in Taiwan and has gained a global following for its addictive taste, making it an iconic snack in Taiwanese cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I marinate the Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken?
- After seasoning the chicken, you will ideally want to marinate the chicken pieces for at least 30 minutes covered in the fridge. You can marinate the chicken for up to overnight, and I would not marinate for more than 24 hours. Doing so will result in juicy, flavorful chicken that is perfect for frying!
Can I substitute the coarse sweet potato flour?
If you can’t find coarse sweet potato flour, I recommend the following substitutions:
- Cornstarch
- Potato Starch
- Rice Flour
What type of oil spray should you use to air fry?
When making Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, you will want to use a neutral tasting oil that has a high smoke point. Here are a few different types of oil that fit that profile and are perfect for frying:
- Avocado Oil
- Peanut Oil
- Canola Oil
- Vegetable Oil
Top Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Here are a few of my top tips for making sure your Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken comes out delicious every time!
- Marinate for Flavor: Allow the chicken pieces to marinate in a well-seasoned mixture for at least 30 minutes or longer. This step is essential for infusing the chicken with a rich, savory flavor.
- Use High-Quality Chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, as they are juicier and more flavorful than breast meat. Cut them into uniform, 2 inch bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Crispy Coating: Achieve an extra crispy and crunchy exterior by using coarse sweet potato flour. The combination of these starches creates the signature texture of Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken.
- Double (Air) Fry: First air fry once at a lower temperature (350F), then flip and spray the other side. For the 2nd fry, crank the heat to 400F to finish off the chicken.
- Seasoning Balance: After frying, season the chicken with a generous sprinkle of the seasoning mix. Achieve the right balance of flavors to suit your taste preferences, and serve the popcorn chicken hot for the best experience.
If you liked this Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken recipe, check out some of my other popular meat and side dish recipes!
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
- Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (SUPER CRISPY!)
- Air Fryer Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage)
If you tried this Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (VIDEO)
You loved my Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken recipe, so I had to develop an Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken that came out JUST as crispy as the regular version! The chicken is juicy and delicious, with my tips for making the air fryer popcorn chicken below! You'll love the crispy texture – I guarantee it!
Equipment
- Air Fryer I recommend this high capacity air fryer because it's easy to clean and completely nonstick
- Neutral Oil Spray For cooking spray, I always use a neutral oil spray such as avocado or vegetable oil
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh, cut into 2" pieces
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp garlic, grated
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tbsp shaoxing wine
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 tsp five spice powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 cups coarse sweet potato flour
- 1 cup fresh thai basil leaves, you can substitute with regular basil leaves
- Neutral oil spray, such as avocado or vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the chicken pieces and soy sauce, grated ginger, grated garlic, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, and an egg white. Mix to combine and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) in the refrigerator.
- Mix together five spice powder, white pepper, salt, and sugar. This will be your seasoning. Set aside.
- On a plate or baking tray, add the coarse sweet potato flour. Dredge the marinated chicken in sweet potato flour and pack the coating in well, leaving no bald spots on the chicken pieces.
- Spray the chicken pieces with a neutral oil spray. Spray the air fryer basket with neutral oil spray then place the chicken pieces on a single layer. Air fry the chicken at 350F for 10 minutes. Give the chicken a flip, then spray the other side with more neutral oil spray.
- Air fry again, this time at 400F for another 6-8 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Wash and pat the basil leaves dry. Spray both sides with a neutral oil spray and air fry at 400F for 2 minutes until crispy and wilted.
- Sprinkle seasoning on chicken immediately after air frying, serve with crispy basil and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken thigh cut into 2″ pieces for even cooking.
- shaoxing wine – if you can’t use shaoxing wine, try sherry, mirin, or even chicken stock/broth.
- coarse sweet potato flour – this is a key ingredient for the unique crunch that Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken has – if you can’t find it, you can try cornstarch, potato starch, or rice flour.
- seasoning – the signature seasoning for Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is a combination of five spice powder, white pepper, salt, and sugar.
- fresh basil – I recommend using fresh Thai basil; if you can’t find it, regular basil will work but it won’t be the same.
- neutral oil spray – I used avocado oil spray but you can also use peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil spray.
Nutrition
Calories: 18kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.05gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 806mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 318IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!
👍👍
Such a nostalgic dish. Tastes just like the one from my favourite restaurant from my high school days!
@beancounterconfections
One of the best air fryer recipies I’ve tried!!
@sunshine.grays
Kaus.palejwala@gmail.com
My husband’s favorite snack! So happy we get to make this at home now. Yummy! @emzlai
Droooooling!!! @alyshasharmine
Best air fryer chicken recipe.
Love this!
@zoeyhuong on instagram!
This tastes just like the ones in the boba shop! I like making these at home because it’s so expensive at boba places
IG: carmennramen
This is a super easy recipe! I also love using the air fryer as it makes this so crispy in such a short time. My son and husband loved this! @waytugo
Love this receipe!
@jermane.g