One of the most popular dishes at my dad’s Chinese takeaway was undoubtedly sweet and sour chicken. Crispy chicken coated in a moreish, tangy sauce was a winner with lots of customers – and it’s also one of my kids’ favourite meals, too. But how do you make a healthier version of the classic sweet and sour sauce with minimal fuss?

Choose the trusty air fryer instead, so you can forget about deep-frying in oil. With this super-easy air fryer sweet and sour chicken recipe, you’ll achieve crispy chicken pieces coated in that yummy sweet and sour sauce in under half an hour. So this is a great recipe ideal for busy families or busy weeknights, or when you fancy delicious Chinese food without having to order a takeaway. Serve with white rice or even over noodles, this sweet and sour air fryer chicken will be a hit with everyone.

What’s needed to make this air fryer sweet and sour chicken

As I mentioned, the benefit of crisping up the chicken in the air fryer is that it’s a healthier option than deep frying and using less oil. While you still have to make the sauce separately, it’s easy to prepare all the other ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce while the chicken pieces are crisping up in the air fryer. The heat from the air fryer will give you crispy, juicy chicken every time. And the great thing is you only need a few simple ingredients to prepare this dish.

Ingredients you’ll need

boneless chicken thighs or you can use chicken breasts if you prefer
cornflour/cornstarch
light soy sauce
tomato ketchup
rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have the first
brown sugar (or white sugar as a substitute)
red pepper (red bell pepper) or green pepper (green bell pepper) or a mix of both
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
garlic cloves
ginger puree or grated ginger
shaoxing wine
salt and white pepper

How to make this sweet and sour chicken air fryer recipe

The first thing to do is to prepare the chicken and marinate it before you put them in the air fryer – Slice your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Get a large bowl, and add the chicken pieces, the 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, a pinch of salt, white pepper and the cornflour/cornstarch. Mix together well, making sure all the chicken is coated in the cornflour. Leave the chicken for five minutes to marinate, or longer if you have time.

Air fryer the chicken – Get your air fryer basket, and lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Lay the chicken in the basket in a single layer, then spray with oil. If you don’t have oil spray, use a brush to do the same. Once the chicken is cooked and golden brown, take them out of the air fryer and put them to one side. You may need to do the chicken in a few batches.

Prepare the sauce ingredients – In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, water, rice wine vinegar, cornflour/cornstarch and shaoxing wine. Mix together well. Get a knife, and cube the onion (if using), and cube the peppers/bell pepper. When you’re ready to make sauce, get a non-stick pan and heat around 2 tsps of vegetable oil on a medium heat. Add the onion (if using) and the peppers/bell peppers and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Then add the ginger paste and garlic and cook for a further minute.

Make the sweet and sour sauce – Get your sauce, and add it to the pan. It will begin bubbling, so keep stirring, making sure the sugar begins to dissolve. Add the cooked chicken and continue to stir for 2 minutes, so all the ingredients are coated in the lovely sweet and sour sauce. I like a lot of sauce, which is why I add the water. If you feel it’s still too thick and sticky, you can add more water until you get your desired consistency.

What to serve with it

This delicious, sweet and sour chicken air fryer dish is great served on its own or as part of a larger meal. My go-to is steamed jasmine rice, but you could also serve it with:

Brown rice
Stir-fried noodles or chow mein
Additional steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, or carrots. Or even fresh pineapple chunks.
Sliced spring onions/green onions for garnish

Can you freeze any leftovers?

Yes, pop any leftover sweet and sour chicken or extra sauce in an airtight container, and put in the freezer for up to three months. Make sure to defrost thoroughly before reheating. You can reheat in the microwave for around 3-4 minutes on high. Bear in mind the chicken won’t be as crispy but still taste amazing. If you want it to crisp up, you can reheat in the sweet and sour chicken in the air fryer. Pop it in the basket with a splash or two of water to add moisture to the sauce for around 5 minutes at 170°c (330F) until the chicken is crispy again.

Other air fryer chicken recipes you might like

Air fryer char siu chicken

Air fryer honey and garlic chicken thighs

Air fryer soy sauce chicken thighs

Air fryer crispy chicken wings