Crispy, Quick Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight (Print Version)
How to make crispy Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken with pineapple and bell peppers that's ready in under 30 minutes for a quick meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Dietary: Omnivore
# Ingredients:
→ For the Crispy Chicken & Veggies
01 -
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 -
1/2 cup cornstarch, divided
03 -
1 large egg, beaten
04 -
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
05 -
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
06 -
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
→ The Sweet & Sour Sauce Base
07 -
1/2 cup ketchup
08 -
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
09 -
2 tablespoons soy sauce
10 -
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
11 -
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
12 -
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Essential Seasonings
13 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
14 -
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Finishing Touches
15 -
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 -
2 green onions, sliced
# Instructions:
01 -
Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Whisk egg in one bowl, 1/4 cup cornstarch in another. Dip chicken in egg, then cornstarch, ensuring a thin, even coating for extra crispiness. This prepares your chicken for the Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken.
02 -
Whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is well combined. This is your flavorful sweet and sour base for the chicken.
03 -
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange coated chicken in a single layer in the basket; avoid overcrowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through. It should be perfectly crispy!
04 -
Add bell peppers and drained pineapple chunks to the air fryer with the cooked chicken. Toss lightly. Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized. Don't overcook them!
05 -
In a small saucepan, bring the sweet and sour sauce to a simmer over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce.
06 -
Cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Pour the warm, thickened sauce over the crispy chicken and veggies from the air fryer. Gently toss to coat every piece of your Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken.
07 -
Transfer your delicious Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken to a serving platter. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and fresh sliced green onions. Serve immediately with rice for a delightful, quick and satisfying meal.
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for truly crispy chicken, preventing steaming.
02 -
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
03 -
For a gluten-free option, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari in the sweet and sour sauce.
04 -
Serve immediately over fluffy white rice, garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
05 -
The sweet and sour sauce can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Air fryer
02 -
measuring cups
03 -
measuring spoons
04 -
cutting board
05 -
sharp knife
06 -
grater
07 -
several mixing bowls
08 -
whisk
09 -
spatula or spoon
10 -
tongs
11 -
small saucepan
12 -
serving platter
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 400
Total Fat: 7g
Total Carbohydrate: 38g
Protein: 45g