If you’re a fan of bold Taiwanese street food, you’ll love this Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and loaded with authentic flavor thanks to a savory marinade, crispy sweet potato starch coating, and aromatic dry seasoning. Traditionally deep-fried, this version uses an air fryer for a lighter, less greasy alternative—without sacrificing texture or taste.
Whether you’re making a snack, party appetizer, or late-night craving fix, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal oil and maximum flavor.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe
- Crispy & golden without deep-frying
- Air fryer-friendly and less oily
- Bursting with Taiwanese night market flavor
- Easy to prep and perfect for parties or game day
- Features authentic ingredients like five-spice, Shaoxing wine, and fermented bean curd
Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
3-4
servings1
hour15
minutesIngredients
- Chicken & Coating
500 g 500 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup 1 potato starch, for coating
Fresh basil leaves (optional but traditional)
Oil spray, for air frying
- Marinade
1 clove 1 garlic, grated
1 tsp 1 ginger, grated
1 tsp 1 onion, grated
1 tsp 1 salt
1 tsp 1 sugar
1 tsp 1 five spice powder
1 tsp 1 chicken bouillon powder
1 tsp 1 white pepper, finely ground
1 Tbsp 1 Shaoxing wine
1 tsp 1 soy sauce
1 tsp 1 sesame oil
1 1 egg white
2 cubes 2 red fermented bean curd (optional for added depth)
- Dry Seasoning (for tossing after cooking)
1 tsp 1 white peppercorns, roughly ground
1 tsp 1 salt
1 tsp 1 paprika
1/2 tsp 1/2 garlic powder
1/2 tsp 1/2 sugar
1/2 tsp 1/2 five spice powder
1/2 tsp 1/2 Sichuan peppercorns, roughly ground (optional for numbing heat)
Directions
- Marinate the chicken
- In a bowl, mix chicken with all marinade ingredients. Massage well and marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
- Coat with potato starch
- Remove chicken from marinade and coat each piece evenly in potato starch. Shake off any excess.
- Preheat and prep air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the basket lightly with oil.
- Air fry in batches
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd). Spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Optional: Air fry basil
- Lightly spray basil leaves and air fry for 30–60 seconds until crisp. Keep a close eye—basil fries fast!
- Toss with dry seasoning
- Mix the dry seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Toss hot chicken in seasoning or sprinkle on top before serving.
🔥 Tips for Extra Crispy Popcorn Chicken
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for even browning
- Use sweet potato starch, not cornstarch, for that signature craggly crust
- Add chili powder or flakes for a spicier version
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 4–5 minutes to re-crisp
