Gluten-Free Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken is even better than take-out with this simple recipe that makes the chicken crispy without all the oil, plus the sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and sour. The cooked chicken will be tossed in the tangy sauce, then easy to serve with your favorite cooked rice.

This recipe has been a favorite with our family for many years and was originally shared way back in 2018, but it’s since been revamped and updated, still a favorite on our list of Air Fryer Asian Inspired Recipes!

What you’ll love about Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken:

• Crispy without the Oil! It only takes a small amount of oil spray to make this crispy chicken.
• Easy to Make Gluten-Free! It just takes a simple swap of soy sauce.
• Kid-Friendly Recipe! This recipe is perfect to serve to the kids with the sweet and tangy sauce.
• Pantry Style Ingredients! This recipe uses what’s likely to be hanging out in your pantry, simple ingredients.

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Cornstarch
• Olive Oil Cooking Spray
• Crushed Garlic
• Canned Pineapple with Juice
• Green Bell Pepper
• Sweet Onion
• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Distilled White Vinegar (for that Tangy Flavor!)
• Gluten-Free or Regular Soy Sauce
• Ketchup
• Cornstarch

This recipe is best served with white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice, top it with green onions, or serve with green beans.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe:

1. Cut the chicken into cubed chunks, toss in a large bowl with cornstarch to coat the chicken.
2. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray and evenly place the chicken in the basket.
3. Give the chicken another coat of olive oil spray.
4. Cook at 390 degrees F for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. Shake the chicken and coat with olive oil spray if needed throughout the cooking time.
5. While the chicken is cooking, use a medium-sized saucepan and add the garlic, pineapple chunks with pineapple juice, green pepper, onion, water, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and ketchup to the saucepan, whisking it well and bringing to a low boil.
6. Once the pepper and onion are soft, in a small bowl, combine the 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry.
7. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan and whisk the sauce, letting it continue to cook on medium heat for 5 minutes until thickened.
8. Carefully add the cooked chicken to a bowl, and coat with the sauce.
9. Serve over cooked rice.

Find the full recipe card below with printable instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Air Fryer:

• Be sure to use oil spray! Make sure to use an olive oil cooking spray or a grapeseed oil cooking spray to fully coat the chicken. If it looks a little floury, then coat it with some more spray. This is what will crisp up the chicken.
• Want to make it spicy? Add a little bit of red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce to add some spicy flavor.
• Meal Prep Favorite! If you want to make the sauce ahead of time, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, then cook the chicken when ready to serve.

• Use chicken thighs! Chicken thighs do not dry out like boneless skinless chicken breasts do, and they will cook up much better in the air fryer for this recipe.
• Mix up the soy sauce! If you prefer, you can use coconut aminos or a low-sodium soy sauce, too. We use Tamari Gluten-Free Soy Sauce.

How do you store leftovers?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. When ready to reheat, heat at 330 degrees F for 2-3 minutes in the air fryer to re-crisp. If needed, add a little bit of olive oil cooking spray.

Pair this delicious, tangy meal with Air Fryer Egg Rolls!

It’s time to ditch the take-out menus because now you can make the best Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Air Fryer right at home. It’s perfectly crispy and full of flavor!