Crispy Air Fryer General Tso Chicken Bites
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, saucy General Tso chicken bites made in the air fryer, perfect for weeknight dinners without the mess of deep frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken in a bowl with salt and pepper.
- Place the cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Working in batches, dredge the chicken pieces in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the coated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened and glossy. Add a splash of water if sauce is too thick.
- Transfer the crispy chicken bites to a large bowl. Pour the hot sauce over them and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before coating for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket. Toss chicken in sauce just before serving to keep crisp. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch. For extra crispiness, add 1-2 minutes to air frying time but watch carefully to avoid drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 ounces (115
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: General Tso chicken, air fryer, crispy chicken bites, easy dinner, Chinese takeout, quick recipe, weeknight dinner