Crispy Fried Chicken

In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to create the seasoning blend.

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Sprinkle half of the seasoning blend over the chicken and toss thoroughly to coat every piece.

Pour the buttermilk and hot sauce over the seasoned chicken. Mix well until all the chicken is coated in the marinade.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight for the best flavor and tenderness.

In a shallow dish or pan, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and the remaining half of the seasoning blend. Mix until well combined.

Add a bit of water to the dry dredge mixture and mix with your fingers to create small, craggy clumps for an extra crispy texture.

Take each piece of chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure it's fully coated.

Shake off any excess flour and place the chicken in a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches.

Generously spray the top of the chicken with neutral oil spray.

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes.

Flip the chicken pieces, spray the other side generously with oil, and continue to air fry for another 6-8 minutes.

The chicken is done when it's golden brown, crispy, and a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Remove from the air fryer, let rest for a few minutes, and serve hot.