Air Fryer Sesame Chicken: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Flavor-Packed Perfection

If you’re searching for a dinner that’s quick, satisfying, and bursting with bold flavors, Air Fryer Sesame Chicken deserves a permanent spot in your weekly meal rotation. This dish combines crispy, golden chicken with a sticky, sweet, and savory sesame-soy sauce that rivals your favorite takeout—without the heaviness or excess oil. Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when cravings for Asian-inspired comfort food strike.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making the best Air Fryer Sesame Chicken at home—from ingredient choices and step-by-step instructions to expert tips, variations, serving ideas, storage advice, and nutrition insights. Whether you’re new to air frying or already obsessed, this post will help you master Air Fryer Sesame Chicken with confidence.

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Why Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Is a Game-Changer

Traditional sesame chicken is usually deep-fried, coated in batter, and loaded with oil. While undeniably delicious, it can feel heavy and indulgent. Air Fryer Sesame Chicken delivers the same crave-worthy taste and texture with a lighter twist.

Key Benefits of Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

• Healthier than takeout – Significantly less oil, fewer calories, and no deep frying

• Quick and convenient – Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish

• Crispy without breading – Cornflour creates a light, crunchy coating

• Family-friendly – Sweet and savory flavors appeal to all ages

• Customizable – Adjust sweetness, saltiness, or spice to your taste

With the air fryer doing most of the work, you’ll enjoy crispy chicken that stays juicy inside and perfectly coated in glossy sesame sauce.

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What Makes This Air Fryer Sesame Chicken So Delicious

The secret to unforgettable Air Fryer Sesame Chicken lies in the balance of textures and flavors:

• Chicken thighs provide richness and juiciness

• Cornflour coating creates crisp edges without heavy batter

• Sesame oil adds deep, nutty aroma

• Honey and brown sugar bring gentle sweetness

• Light and dark soy sauces deliver savory umami and color

• Sweet chilli sauce and ketchup add tangy depth

Every bite is sticky, savory, slightly sweet, and irresistibly crunchy.

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Time, Servings, and Cuisine

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Course: Dinner

• Cuisine: Asian-inspired

This makes Air Fryer Sesame Chicken perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

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Ingredients for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Crispy Chicken

• 6 large skinless chicken thigh fillets (about 750 g / 1.65 lb untrimmed, or 600 g / 1.3 lb trimmed)

• 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch in the USA)

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp paprika

• 3 tbsp oil

Sesame Sauce

• 1½ tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced)

• 1½ tbsp Chinese rice vinegar

• 3 tbsp honey

• 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

• 4 tbsp tomato ketchup

• 3 tbsp light brown sugar

• 3 tbsp light soy sauce

• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce

To Serve

• Sesame seeds

• Chopped spring onions (scallions)

• Boiled rice or egg fried rice

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken

Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness.

2. Coat the Chicken

In a medium bowl, mix cornflour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.

3. Add Oil

Drizzle oil over the chicken and mix thoroughly. The chicken should look sticky and lightly glossy—this helps it crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

4. Air Fry

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook at 190°C / 375°F for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket at least three times.
Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

5. Make the Sesame Sauce

While the chicken cooks, combine all sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every minute until hot and slightly thickened.
(Alternatively, heat gently in a saucepan.)

6. Combine

Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the warm sesame sauce over it. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.

7. Serve

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions. Serve immediately with rice for the ultimate Air Fryer Sesame Chicken experience.

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Tips for the Best Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

• Shake the basket often – Prevents sticking and ensures even crisping

• Don’t overcrowd – Airflow is key for crispy chicken

• Use chicken thighs – They stay juicier than breast meat

• Adjust sweetness – Reduce honey or sugar if you prefer less sweet sauce

• Add heat – Chilli flakes or sriracha elevate the sauce

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Delicious Variations of Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Spicy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Add chilli flakes, sriracha, or gochujang for bold heat.

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken with Vegetables

Toss air-fried broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas with the chicken and sauce.

Low-Sugar Version

Use a sugar-free honey substitute and reduce brown sugar.

Gluten-Free Option

Swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari.

Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Breast

Use chicken breast instead of thighs, but reduce cooking time slightly.

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What to Serve with Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

• Steamed jasmine rice

• Egg fried rice

• Vegetable stir-fry

• Noodles

• Asian slaw

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides that absorb the sauce.

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Storage and Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C / 350°F for 4–5 minutes to restore crispness.
Microwaving works but may soften the coating.

Print

Nutrition Information (Approximate per Serving)

• Calories: ~520 kcal

• Protein: ~30 g

• Carbohydrates: ~45 g

• Fat: ~25 g

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken offers a balanced meal with protein, flavor, and satisfaction—without excessive oil.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Can I make Air Fryer Sesame Chicken ahead of time?

Yes, but for best texture, store the chicken and sauce separately and combine after reheating.

Is Air Fryer Sesame Chicken healthy?

Compared to deep-fried versions, Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is significantly lighter while still rich in flavor.

Can I freeze it?

The cooked chicken freezes well, but the sauce is best made fresh.

What air fryer works best?

Any basket-style air fryer works, but cooking time may vary slightly by model.

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Why You’ll Love Making Air Fryer Sesame Chicken at Home

Homemade Air Fryer Sesame Chicken gives you complete control over ingredients, sweetness, saltiness, and spice. You skip preservatives, reduce oil, and still enjoy restaurant-quality flavor. It’s a recipe that feels indulgent yet practical—perfect for modern home cooking.

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Final Thoughts

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or unhealthy. With minimal prep, simple ingredients, and the magic of the air fryer, you can create a dish that’s crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory—all in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week, or satisfying a takeout craving at home, Air Fryer Sesame Chicken delivers every single time.