Oh my gosh, have you discovered the magic of air fryer cooking yet? I swear, my air fryer has become my kitchen superhero – it turns out crispy, delicious meals in half the time of my oven! And let me tell you, this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken is my latest obsession. That perfect crunch on the outside, tender chicken inside, all coated in that sticky-sweet tangy sauce? Absolute perfection. I used to think takeout was the only way to get good sweet and sour chicken, but now I can make it better at home in under 30 minutes. Plus, no messy deep frying means my kitchen stays clean (well, cleaner). Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be making it on repeat – my family already demands it weekly!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Oh, where do I even start? This recipe checks all the boxes for a weeknight dinner hero:

That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives you that deep-fried crispiness without all the oil and grease – it’s magical!
Dinner in a flash: From fridge to table in under 30 minutes – even faster than takeout delivery!
No kitchen disasters: Just one little basket to wash instead of a mountain of pots and pans.
Healthier but still indulgent: All the flavor of takeout with way less oil (I may have eaten two servings… oops).
Kid-approved: The sweet-tangy sauce makes even picky eaters clean their plates – mine do every time!

Honestly, what’s not to love? It’s become my go-to when I need a crowd-pleaser in a hurry. If you are looking for other quick chicken dishes, check out my recipe for air fryer chimichurri chicken thighs.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you have most in your pantry already! The magic happens with:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast – cut into 1-inch pieces (trust me, uniform size means even cooking!)
1/2 cup cornstarch – packed lightly (this is our crispy coating secret weapon)
2 eggs, beaten – just regular large eggs, nothing fancy needed
1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce – store-bought works great, but I’ll share my homemade version another day
1 tbsp vegetable oil – for spraying (a little goes a long way)
1/2 tsp salt – and don’t skip it – brings out all the flavors
1/4 tsp black pepper – fresh ground if you have it
1/2 cup bell peppers – diced (I use red and green for color)
1/2 cup pineapple chunks – fresh or canned both work (just drain well if using canned)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No cornstarch? Arrowroot powder works great too – same amount. Vegetarian? Swap chicken for extra-firm tofu (press it first!). For a homemade sauce twist, mix ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar. My biggest tip? Don’t overcrowd that air fryer basket – cook in batches if needed. Nothing worse than steamed chicken when we want crispy! And hey, if you’re feeling fancy, throw in some diced onions too – I won’t tell! For more information on safe internal cooking temperatures for poultry, check out the USDA guidelines.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Okay, let’s get cooking! This comes together so fast you’ll barely have time to set the table. Here’s exactly how I make it:

Preheat that air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – trust me, starting hot makes all the difference for crispiness!
Season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper – I just toss them in a bowl together.
Coat each piece first in cornstarch (shake off excess), then dip in beaten eggs – this double-dip is the crispy magic!
Arrange chicken in a single layer in your air fryer basket – no stacking! Give them space to breathe.
Lightly spray with oil – just a quick spritz makes them golden (I use my Misto sprayer).
Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway – peek at 8 minutes if your air fryer runs hot.
Toss everything together – sauce, peppers, pineapple – in a big bowl until coated.
Back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes just to heat through – the sauce gets all sticky and perfect!

That’s it! You’re done. Now try not to eat it straight from the basket like I always do. If you love crispy coatings, you might enjoy my recipe for air fryer cornflake chicken tenders.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Want restaurant-quality crispiness every time? Here are my hard-learned secrets:

Don’t skip preheating! A cold air fryer = soggy chicken. Give it 3-5 minutes to get hot.
Single layer is non-negotiable – if pieces overlap, they steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if needed.
That quick oil spray makes the coating golden and crunchy – but don’t drown them!
Check doneness early – air fryers vary. Chicken should be 165°F inside when done.
Sauce at the end keeps the coating crisp. If it gets soggy, pop it back in for a minute.

Follow these, and you’ll get perfect crispy-saucy chicken every single time!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Oh, the fun part – plating up this beauty! My family loves it over steamed jasmine rice to soak up all that glorious sauce. For crunch, add quick stir-fried veggies – snap peas and carrots are our faves. Feeling fancy? Toss with lo mein noodles instead! A sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions makes it look straight from a restaurant. Pro tip: serve extra sauce on the side for dipping – my kids always want “more sticky!”

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Okay, confession time – we rarely have leftovers because this disappears so fast! But if you’re lucky enough to have some, here’s how to keep it perfect. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, skip the microwave (soggy city!) and pop it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes – it’ll crisp right back up. The pineapple might get extra caramelized, but trust me, that’s a happy accident! For meal prep, I keep the sauce separate until ready to reheat. For more tips on food storage safety, you can consult the FDA storage chart.

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken FAQs

I get asked these questions all the time – here’s everything you need to know!

“Can I use frozen chicken?” You can, but thaw it first! Frozen chicken releases too much moisture and won’t get crispy. Overnight in the fridge works best.
“Is this gluten-free?” Almost! Just swap regular soy sauce for tamari in your sweet and sour sauce (most store-bought sauces are GF too – check labels).
“How do I make it spicier?” Oh, I love this one! Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or a dash of sriracha. My husband always requests extra heat!
“Can I prep ahead?” Absolutely! Coat the chicken in cornstarch and keep it refrigerated up to 4 hours before cooking. Just add egg wash right before air frying.
“Why is my chicken soggy?” Probably overcrowded the basket! Give those pieces space – cook in batches if needed. And don’t sauce until the very end!

Got more questions? Just ask – I’ve made this recipe about a hundred times (no exaggeration)! If you are interested in other quick vegetarian air fryer options, check out my recipe for crispy air fryer tofu.

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk numbers – because yes, you can totally indulge in this sweet and sour chicken without the usual guilt! Here’s the breakdown (but remember, estimates vary based on your exact ingredients and how generous you are with that sauce!):

Calories: 320 per serving
Protein: 25g (hello, muscle fuel!)
Carbs: 35g (most from the sauce and coating)
Sugar: 12g (but it’s mostly from the pineapple – that’s fruit, right?)
Fat: 8g (way less than deep-fried versions!)

Compared to takeout? You’re easily saving 200+ calories and tons of grease. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent! For comparison on general nutrition facts, you can look at resources like the USDA FoodData Central.

Did you try this air fryer sweet and sour chicken? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram – nothing makes me happier than seeing your crispy chicken creations. And hey, if you’ve got any brilliant twists on the recipe, share those too! My family’s always looking for new variations to try. If you are looking for more sweet and savory air fryer meals, try my air fryer sweet and spicy carrots.

30-Min Irresistible Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 28 mins
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Calorie

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and easy air fryer sweet and sour chicken recipe that’s crispy, tangy, and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
1/2 cup pineapple chunks

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Coat each chicken piece in cornstarch, then dip in beaten eggs.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray with oil.
Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
In a bowl, mix the cooked chicken with sweet and sour sauce, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks.
Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

For extra crispiness, spray the chicken lightly with oil before air frying.
Adjust the amount of sweet and sour sauce to taste.
Use fresh or canned pineapple, depending on preference.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 13 mins
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: air fryer sweet and sour chicken, easy chicken recipe, crispy chicken, tangy chicken