Craving that takeout-style flavor with a healthier twist? This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken is crispy, juicy, and tossed in sticky-sweet sauce—all in under 25 minutes! It’s a fast, flavor-packed win for busy weeknights.
Sweet and sour chicken is a classic favorite at Chinese takeout spots—but making it at home in the air fryer means you control the ingredients (and skip the deep fryer). This version delivers bold flavor and crispy chicken using just a few pantry staples. It’s my go-to when we’re craving a fakeaway dinner, and it’s been a hit every time.
Each serving has around 300–350 calories and 25g protein—making it a great weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but fits your goals.
If you love Asian-inspired dinners like my Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki or Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad, this one’s going to be a new favorite.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Healthful Twist – Crispy chicken, no deep frying.
- Quick & Easy – From fridge to table in under 30 minutes.
- Balanced Flavors – That classic sweet and sour sauce, made from scratch.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts – I like thighs for their juiciness, but breasts work too. Cut into cubes for maximum surface area = more crisp.
- Cornstarch – The key to that crispy, golden crust. Don’t skip it!
- Pineapple & Peppers – Adds sweetness, crunch, and color. I always use canned pineapple for ease.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Soy Sauce: Add to the sauce for extra umami depth.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A fruity, tangy swap for rice vinegar.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a molasses-rich depth versus white sugar.
- Keto Version: Skip the pineapple and use a low-sugar ketchup alternative.
- Spicy Twist: Add a dash of chili flakes or a sliced jalapeño.
- Stir Fry Chicken Air Fryer Style: Toss leftovers into a wok with veggies for a next-day stir fry.
- Need it low-carb? This recipe is easy to adapt—skip the sugar and pineapple for a keto-friendly version that’s still big on flavor.
Try this with my Air Fryer Bok Choy or Air Fryer Crispy Orange Beef for a full air fryer Chinese recipe night.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken?
- Step 1: Fully coat the chicken bites in cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Place the coated chicken cubes evenly in an oil-sprayed air fryer basket, and spray the chicken with oil. Cook on 380 for 8 minutes. Shake the basket halfway.
- Step 2: After 8 minutes, shift the crispy chicken bites to one half and add the vegetables and pineapple to the other side. Finish cooking for 8 more minutes. Mix after 4 minutes.
- Step 3: While cooking chicken, mix the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then remove to cool and thicken.
- Step 4: Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables. Mix and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Optionally, serve your Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken bites on rice.
💡 Hint: To make air fried Asian chicken even crispier, don’t overcrowd the basket and preheat your air fryer.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Air needs to circulate to crisp things up.
- Double Batch for Meal Prep: This reheats well in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F.
- Swap in Potato Starch: For an ultra-crispy coating.
💭 FAQs
A crispy Chinese-style chicken dish coated in tangy-sweet sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and tomato-based ingredients
If you're worried that the chicken isn't cooked all the way, use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature. As long as it reads 165 degrees, it's done and ready to enjoy!
Absolutely! Just add in more veggies and leave out the rice. It's low carb without having to get rid of any of the flavors.
Bell peppers, onions, and pineapple are classic. For heat, add fresh jalapeños.
Pop leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–6 minutes. It revives the crisp and keeps the sauce sticky.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Wondering what to serve with this sweet and sour chicken air fryer recipe? Try the following:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice – A classic base.
- Garlic Sesame Bok Choy – A quick stir fry with loads of flavor.
- Vegetable Lo Mein – Noodles meet sweet and sour sauce = match made in heaven.
- Cauliflower Rice – A low-carb option for a lighter dinner.
- Egg Rolls or Dumplings – To make it a full fakeaway feast.
Turn this into stir fry chicken air fryer style the next day—just toss leftover chicken and sauce with extra veggies in a hot skillet or wok for a quick second meal.
🍽 Try These Air Fryer Dishes
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Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Chicken Breasts Cut Into 1 ½ Inch chunks.
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ½ Cup Corn Starch or Potato Starch
- 1 Can Pineapple Chunks Canned
- 1 Onion Chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper Seeds Removed, Chopped
- 1 Green Bell Pepper Seeds Removed, Chopped
- 2 Green Onions For Garnish
For The Sauce
- ¼ Cup Ketchup
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- ¼ Cup Rice Vinegar
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Minced Garlic
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Pineapple Juice
Instructions
- Fully coat the chicken bites in cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Place the coated chicken cubes evenly in an oil-sprayed air fryer basket, and spray the chicken with oil.
- Cook on 380 for 8 minutes. Shake the basket halfway.
- After 8 minutes, shift the crispy chicken bites chicken to one half and add the vegetables and pineapple to the other side. Finish cooking for 8 more minutes. Mix after 4 minutes.
- While cooking chicken, mix the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then remove to cool and thicken.
- Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables. Mix and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Optionally, serve your Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken bites on top of rice.
Crispy, tangy, and utterly irresistible—this air fryer sweet and sour chicken is a game-changer! The perfect balance of flavors makes it a must-try for any takeout lover.