Crispy
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
I still remember the first time I tried chicken katsu. It was one of those casual Friday nights at a tiny Japanese restaurant tucked between a laundromat and a nail salon. You know the type—small, unassuming, but somehow always packed. I had no idea what I was in for. One bite in, and I was hooked. Crispy, golden breading, juicy chicken, and that sweet-savory katsu sauce? Life-changing.
After that, I needed to make it at home. But let’s be real—deep frying is a whole event. I tried once, and I swear my kitchen smelled like oil for three days. That’s when I turned to my
Now, this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu is a regular in my kitchen. It’s ridiculously easy, totally mess-free, and honestly? I don’t miss the deep fryer at all. Let’s get cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe?
- No oil splatters, no frying drama. If you’ve ever cleaned up after deep frying, you get it. This version? No mess.
- Crispy, juicy, perfect. You’d never guess it wasn’t deep-fried.
- The katsu sauce. A little sweet, a little tangy, totally addictive.
- Quick & weeknight-friendly. 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Kid-approved. Even the pickiest eaters will devour this one.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Katsu Sauce:
- Ketchup – Sweet, tangy, and the perfect base.
- Soy Sauce – Adds a deep, salty umami kick.
- Brown Sugar – A touch of sweetness to balance things out.
- Sherry – Adds warmth and depth. No sherry? Mirin or rice vinegar work too.
- Worcestershire Sauce – The secret ingredient. Smoky, tangy, and essential.
- Minced Garlic – Because garlic makes everything better.
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breast – Sliced thin for even cooking.
- Salt & Pepper – The simplest seasonings, but so important.
- Eggs – Helps the breading stick.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – This is where the crunch happens. Regular breadcrumbs? Don’t even think about it.
- Cooking Spray – A light mist makes everything golden brown without the oil bath.
Pro Tip: Want extra crunch? Double bread it. Egg > panko > egg > panko. More crunch = more happiness.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu?
Step 1: Make the Katsu Sauce
Grab a bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Take a little taste. Does it make you want to dunk everything in it? Good. Set it aside.
Step 2: Prep the Chicken
Slice your chicken breasts in half horizontally so they’re nice and thin. Season with salt and pepper. Simple, but trust me—it makes a difference.
Step 3: Coat It Like a Pro
Set up your breading station:
- Bowl 1: Beaten eggs.
- Bowl 2: Panko breadcrumbs.
Dip the chicken in egg, then panko, then do it again (egg > panko). This double coat is what gives it that shatteringly crisp crunch. Don’t skip it!
Step 4: Air Fry Like a Boss
Preheat your
Want To Save This Recipe?
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and spray the other side.
- Cook for another 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Transfer to a cutting board, slice into strips, and drizzle with katsu sauce. Serve with rice, veggies, or, let’s be real—just eat it straight off the plate.
Storage Options:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze (before saucing) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Microwave? Nope. You’ll lose that crunch.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Swap the protein: Try this with pork, tofu, or shrimp.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko and swap soy sauce for tamari.
- Spicy katsu? Add sriracha to the katsu sauce for a fiery kick.
- No
air fryer ? Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Katsu?
- Steamed Rice – Because what else are you gonna soak up that sauce with?
- Cabbage Slaw – Fresh, crunchy, and balances out the richness.
- Miso Soup – Cozy and comforting.
- Pickled Veggies – Bright, tangy, and the perfect contrast to the crispy chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yep! Bread the chicken and store it in the fridge for a few hours before air frying. The sauce keeps for up to a week.
My chicken didn’t get crispy. What went wrong?
Make sure to double-dip in the panko, don’t overcrowd the
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?
I mean, technically, yeah. But do yourself a favor and stick with panko. It makes all the difference.
So there you have it—crispy, juicy, mess-free
Try it out and let me know—does it beat your usual takeout katsu? Drop a comment, send me a pic, or just tell me how much you love that sauce. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Ingredients
For the Katsu Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbs soy sauce
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tbs sherry
- 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced in half horizontally
- 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Prepare the Katsu Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set aside.
Season the Chicken
- Place the chicken breast halves on a clean surface and season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper.
Set Up the Breading Station
- Prepare two shallow bowls:
- In the first bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
- In the second bowl, add the panko bread crumbs.
Bread the Chicken
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage. Then coat it in panko bread crumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere. Repeat the process a second time (egg > panko) for an extra crispy texture.
Air Fry the Chicken
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken, spray the other side with cooking spray, and continue cooking for another 8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Slice and Serve
- Remove the cooked chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into strips. Serve immediately with the prepared katsu sauce and enjoy.
Notes
- Soy Sauce Substitute: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to maintain the same depth of flavor.
- Panko Replacement: Opt for gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free cornflakes for a similar crispy texture.
- Worcestershire Sauce Alternative: Ensure your Worcestershire sauce is certified gluten-free, or substitute it with a mix of balsamic vinegar and a dash of anchovy paste for a similar umami depth.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
