There’s nothing quite like biting into crispy sesame chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-and-savory sauce. Traditionally, this takeout favorite is deep-fried, but this air fryer version delivers the same irresistible crunch using much less oil. It’s lighter, easier to make, and perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving restaurant-quality food at home.
Tender chicken pieces are coated in a crispy seasoned coating, air fried until golden brown, then tossed in a rich sesame sauce made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sesame oil. Every bite is packed with flavour while staying wonderfully crisp.
Whether you’re serving it over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside fresh vegetables, this easy air fryer sesame chicken is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crispy and Tasty Sesame Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Extra Crispy Without Deep Frying: The air fryer creates a beautifully crunchy coating using only a light spray of oil, making this recipe lighter without sacrificing texture.
- Ready in About 30 Minutes: From prep to serving, this recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights and last-minute dinners.
- Better Than Takeout: Fresh ingredients create richer flavours while allowing you to control the sweetness, sodium, and spice level.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: The sweet and savoury sesame sauce is loved by both adults and children, making dinner easy for everyone.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Leftovers store well and reheat beautifully for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces. Thighs stay juicier, while breasts offer a leaner option.
- Cornflour (Cornstarch): Creates the signature light, crispy coating that holds the sauce beautifully.
- Plain Flour: Adds structure to the coating and helps it crisp evenly.
- Eggs: Helps the coating stick firmly to every piece of chicken.
- Garlic Powder: Adds savoury depth throughout the crispy coating.
- Onion Powder: Provides a mild, slightly sweet flavour.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavours in the recipe.
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth without overpowering the dish.
- Cooking Oil Spray: A light coating helps the chicken become golden and crispy in the air fryer.
- Soy Sauce: Forms the savoury base of the sesame sauce.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness while creating a glossy finish.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the soy sauce with a rich caramel-like sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the sweetness.
- Sesame Oil: Adds the signature nutty aroma that makes sesame chicken so delicious.
- Fresh Garlic: Brings bold, fresh flavour to the sauce.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds warmth and authentic Asian-inspired flavour.
- Cornflour Slurry: A mixture of cornflour and water thickens the sauce perfectly.
- Sesame Seeds: Provide a delicious nutty crunch and beautiful presentation.
- Spring Onions: Freshly sliced for a burst of colour and freshness.
Step-By-Step Directions
Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken
Cut the chicken into evenly sized bite-sized pieces. In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl combine cornflour, plain flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Dip each piece into the egg before coating thoroughly in the flour mixture.
Step 2 – Arrange in the Air Fryer
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for proper airflow. Spray the tops lightly with oil.
Step 3 – Air Fry Until Crispy
Cook at 200°C (400°F) for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Continue cooking until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
Step 4 – Make the Sesame Sauce
While the chicken cooks, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan. Simmer gently, then stir in the cornflour slurry until the sauce thickens into a glossy coating.
Step 5 – Toss Everything Together
Add the crispy chicken to the warm sauce and gently toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions before serving immediately.
Serving Suggestions
This crispy sesame chicken pairs wonderfully with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Vegetable fried noodles
- Stir-fried broccoli
- Bok choy
- Roasted green beans
- Asian cucumber salad
- Cauliflower rice for a lower-carb meal
- Egg rolls or spring rolls
- Fresh steamed vegetables
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook the chicken in batches if needed. Proper air circulation is the secret to an evenly crispy coating.
- Spray Lightly with Oil: A small amount of oil helps create an even golden crust without making the coating greasy.
- Toss Just Before Serving: Coat the chicken in the sauce immediately before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
- Cut Uniform Pieces: Even-sized chicken pieces cook at the same rate, preventing some pieces from drying out.
- Use Fresh Garlic and Ginger: Fresh aromatics provide much brighter, richer flavours than dried alternatives and make the sauce taste homemade.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator
Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the sauce and chicken separate if possible to help maintain crispiness.
Freezer
Freeze cooked chicken (preferably before adding the sauce) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 4–6 minutes until hot and crispy. If already coated in sauce, reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Avoid overheating, as this can make the chicken dry.
Crispy and Tasty Sesame Chicken in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup plain flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Cooking oil spray as needed
For the Sesame Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish
- 2 spring onions sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk the eggs in one bowl. In another bowl combine the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat evenly in the flour mixture.
- Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, combine the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Mix the cornstarch and water together, then stir into the sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the sesame sauce over it. Toss until evenly coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
- Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to keep it crispy.
- Spray lightly with oil for the best golden finish.
- Toss the chicken with the sauce just before serving to maintain its crisp texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 4–5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 425 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
- Sodium: 890mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 34g
- Vitamin A: 6% DV
- Vitamin C: 4% DV
- Calcium: 5% DV
- Iron: 15% DV
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
| Kitchen Tools | Amazon links |
| Air Fryer | Buy On Amazon |
| Tongs | Buy On Amazon |
| Measuring Spoons | Buy On Amazon |
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