Name: Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Everyone Will Crave
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp ground white pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch); 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; 2 spring onions, finely sliced; 3 tbsp light soy sauce; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp water; 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 1 tbsp cold water

Jump to Recipe

This one’s for those evenings when your cravings pull you toward takeout, but your fridge gives you the side-eye. We’ve all been there. This air fryer sesame chicken nails that crispy-sweet-salty balance without leaving you in a food coma—or your wallet a little lighter. It’s quick, it’s got that satisfying crunch, and the sticky sesame glaze clings in all the right ways. You don’t need a culinary degree or three hours of free time. I made this with one hand stirring and the other texting my sister. The air fryer pulls its weight like a champ, giving that golden crispiness we want, minus the oil fog. You’ll use simple ingredients: a few pantry staples, chicken thighs (trust me on this one), and some sesame seeds to make things feel a bit fancy without getting out the good dishes. Whether you’re trying to impress someone (yourself counts) or just want dinner that won’t argue with your schedule, this chicken delivers. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to—because it just works.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
4) How to Make Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
6) Making Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Sesame Chicken
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This air fryer sesame chicken hits the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and crispy.
Using chicken thighs gives the best texture and flavor.
The sauce uses pantry staples and takes under 10 minutes to make.
You can serve this with rice, noodles, or a crisp salad.

2) Easy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe

Let’s be real. Some nights, we don’t want to wash three pans or deal with a sink full of dishes. That’s where this air fryer sesame chicken steps in. It’s crisp, sticky, and somehow feels like a small victory after a long day. Twice in the past week, I’ve made it when I didn’t even want to cook.

What makes this one shine? The air fryer handles the chicken like a champ—crispy edges, juicy center, zero splatter. It’s a high-five to weeknight meals. The sauce takes less time than finding a matching lid in your Tupperware drawer. And once that golden chicken gets coated in it? You’re gonna wonder why we ever ordered takeout.

I promise it’s doable, even if your energy is hovering around 12 percent. With chicken air fryer recipes like this, dinner’s a win before you even sit down.

3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless, these pieces bring flavor and stay juicy through the cook. I’ve tried breasts too, but thighs take it up a notch. Trust me.

Salt: Just a small pinch gets the flavors started and makes everything taste more like itself. Don’t skip it.

White Pepper: Milder than black, it gives a soft kick that doesn’t take over the plate. I like the balance it brings.

Garlic Powder: Adds warmth without chopping. Quick, easy, and always good with chicken.

Cornflour: A light coat gives us that classic crisp we’re after. It’s the armor for your chicken bites.

Vegetable Oil: Helps things brown up in the air fryer. Just enough to keep everything moving and golden.

Sesame Seeds: For a little crunch and a little toastiness. Sprinkle generously at the end.

Spring Onions: Thinly sliced and fresh, they brighten the whole thing. Kind of like earrings for your plate.

Soy Sauce: Base of the sauce. Salty, umami, familiar. If you’re using low-sodium, you might want to adjust the salt earlier.

Honey: Adds that glossy finish and the perfect touch of sweet to balance the soy.

Ketchup: Yep, ketchup. It adds body and acidity, and honestly, you won’t taste it—it just works.

Brown Sugar: Rich and warm, it rounds out the sauce and adds depth. Don’t sub with white if you can help it.

Water: Keeps the sauce from turning into syrup. It’s the in-between we need.

Cornflour Slurry: This thickens the sauce to just the right level of cling. Stir it in slow, watch the magic happen.

4) How to Make Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Step 1. Grab a bowl and toss your chopped chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cornflour. You want every bite to get a little love.

Step 2. Add the oil and toss again. This makes sure nothing sticks and helps crisp things up in the air fryer.

Step 3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. I give mine 3 minutes—it’s worth it. Then place the chicken in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes.

Step 4. Shake the basket gently, then cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for golden and crunchy.

Step 5. Meanwhile, make your sauce. Combine soy, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, and water in a pan and heat it gently.

Step 6. Once simmering, stir in the cornflour slurry. Keep stirring until it thickens, then take it off the heat.

Step 7. Toss the cooked chicken with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Then serve—hot, sticky, perfect.

5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Start with room-temperature chicken if you can. Cold chicken straight from the fridge sometimes cooks unevenly in the air fryer. I usually let mine sit out for about 15 minutes while I prep everything else.

When you’re shaking the basket, don’t overdo it. You want the chicken to flip but not fall apart. A gentle toss gets the job done without turning everything into crumbles.

If you love extra sauce, double it. Just double everything except the water, which you can increase slightly if it looks too thick. We’ve all had chicken that felt dry. Don’t let that happen here.

6) Making Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Ahead of Time

I’ve made this chicken hours before dinner and it holds up better than you’d think. Store the chicken separate from the sauce if you want the best texture later. That way, you reheat both and toss them just before serving. It makes a difference.

Reheating is easy. The chicken crisps back up in the air fryer in about 5 minutes at 375°F. The sauce? Just warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave until it loosens.

For meal prep, this recipe is a winner. Portion it into containers with some rice or steamed broccoli and you’ve got lunch sorted for a few days. Chicken air fryer recipes like this one are built for real life.

7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for three to four days. I recommend storing the sauce and chicken separately to keep the texture right.

When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes. The sauce can go in the microwave or a small pot. Toss it together and you’re back in business.

I’ve even frozen this before. It works, though the chicken loses some crisp. Still tasty, still dinner, still better than a soggy sandwich.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Recipe