Kalbi Chicken Legs in Air Fryer Recipe
This recipe features succulent Kalbi Chicken Legs cooked to perfection in an air fryer, offering a flavorful and tender Korean-inspired dish with a sweet and savory marinade. The chicken is marinated in a mix of apple, soy sauce, mirin, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings, then air fried for a crispy exterior and juicy inside, garnished with optional sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 chicken quarters
Kalbi Marinade
- ½ apple (preferably Korean or Fuji, grated)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin
- 2 inches fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks green onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine the grated apple, soy sauce, mirin, grated ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken quarters into a large zip-lock bag or shallow dish and pour the kalbi marinade over the chicken. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor absorption.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes.
- Air fry the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Arrange chicken quarters skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry for 20 minutes, flip the chicken pieces, then air fry for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and caramelized.
- Rest and garnish: Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired before serving for an extra nutty crunch.
Notes
- Marinating overnight improves flavor penetration but a minimum of 4 hours works well.
- Grated apple acts as a natural tenderizer and adds sweetness; Fuji apples are ideal.
- You can substitute sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetener.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for crispy skin.
- Internal cooking temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- If air fryer capacity is limited, cook chicken in batches.
Keywords: Kalbi chicken legs, air fryer chicken, Korean chicken recipe, marinated chicken, crispy air fryer chicken
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/kalbi-chicken-legs-in-air-fryer-recipe/