Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe – Quick, Crispy, and Better Than Takeout!

This is hands down the best sweet and sour chicken recipe I’ve tried—and trust me, I’ve tried a lot. It’s sweet, tangy, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and just super yum all around. It’s like takeout, but made with love (and less grease). We’re talkin’ chicken pieces tossed in a homemade sweet and sour sauce that’s better than anything from a bottle.

Honestly, I made this the first time when my three tiny humans were all melting down at once and I needed one of those quick weeknight meals that feels fancy-ish but is secretly easy. It worked. Everyone ate it. No one cried during dinner. That alone makes it one of my best easy dinner recipes ever.

If you’re new to air fryers (hi, welcome to the cult ), this one’s gonna be one of your fave new air fryer recipes. And if you’ve had yours for a while and need fresh air fryer ideas, this sweet and sour chicken air fryer style is a keeper. I even added a little sweet sour chicken marinade twist to give the chicken a boost before frying.

This is one of those air fryer meals that makes you feel like a kitchen genius without actually having to do, like, too much. Perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or when you’re just craving something crispy and sweet n sour chicken-y without ordering out. I even snuck in some bell peppers and pineapple, which kinda makes it healthy? Maybe?

So if you’re on the hunt for Asian air fryer recipes, sweet and tangy chicken, or just the best Asian recipes that don’t require a ton of effort, keep reading. This is your new go-to sour chicken recipe and I promise it’ll make you feel like a dinner rockstar—even if your toddler is eating it with a spoon off the floor (hey, we don’t judge).

Let’s make this magic happen, friend. You’re gonna love it

What You’ll Need:

For the chicken:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (I go with thighs ’cause juicy, ya know?)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Olive oil spray (or whatever cooking spray you have)

For the sweet & sour sauce:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (white vinegar also works fine)
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers (I use red + green so it looks fancy-ish)
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (optional but so dang good)

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Step 1: Cut and Coat the Chicken

First things first, cut your chicken into bite-sized chunks. Not too tiny or they’ll dry out. Just small enough to pop in your mouth without looking awkward.

In one bowl, beat your egg. In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Then dunk each chicken piece into the egg, then into the flour mix. It’s a little messy but hey, the kids are probably already messy, so what’s one more thing?

Set those cute little nuggets aside on a plate.

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Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken

Spray your air fryer basket with oil. Lay your chicken pieces in a single layer (don’t overcrowd—mine needed two batches).

Air fry at 380°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. I usually check around the 6-minute mark and give ’em a little shake. They should be golden and a lil’ crispy on the outside.

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Step 3: Make the Sauce While the Chicken’s Cooking

In a small saucepan, mix sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Heat it over medium, stirring so nothing burns (ask me how I know 🙃).

Once it’s bubbling a bit, stir in your cornstarch + water mixture. This thickens it up into that shiny, sticky sauce we all love. Toss in your bell peppers and pineapple chunks. Let them simmer in that saucy goodness for like 2–3 minutes.

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Step 4: Toss It All Together

Once the chicken is done air-frying and lookin’ all crispy and golden, toss it in the warm sauce. Mix it up real good so every piece is coated.

Sometimes I just dump it all in a big bowl and hand out forks. Real talk.

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Step 5: Serve It Up!

Serve over rice (white, brown, cauliflower—whatever your vibe is) or even some noodles if you’re feelin’ wild. I once served it with frozen veggie spring rolls and pretended it was “takeout night.” The kids were into it. I even got a “this is better than Panda Express” which… honestly? I almost cried.

FAQs – Sweet and Sour Chicken Edition

Recipe Card: Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Whether you’re brand new to air fryer cooking or already deep in the game hunting for new air fryer recipes, this Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken (or Airfryer Sweet And Sour Chicken if you’re feeling fancy) will totally earn a spot in your meal rotation. It’s one of those best easy dinner recipes that just works—especially when you’re too tired to think and everyone’s already asking “what’s for dinner?” at 4:12 PM

And hey, if you’re into trying more Asian air fryer recipes, or you’re craving sweet and tangy chicken that actually tastes like real food and not freezer-bag sadness, this one is it. Seriously. It’s the best sweet and sour chicken recipe I’ve made—and I’m counting that one time I accidentally spilled the sweet sour chicken marinade all over the counter and still got compliments

So go ahead and bookmark this, pin it, print it—whatever you gotta do. You now have a new rockstar dinner in your back pocket. One that feels fun, doable, and delicious. And if your kids are like mine, they’ll probably ask for it again tomorrow. Which… honestly? I might not mind.