Honey garlic chicken is a fakeaway favourite — juicy chicken in a sticky, sweet-savoury glaze. The trick in the air fryer is to cook the chicken first, then glaze near the end so the honey doesn't burn. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make honey garlic chicken in an air fryer?
A: Air fry the chicken at 200°C (400°F) for 18–22 minutes, brushing with honey-garlic glaze in the last 5 minutes so it turns sticky without burning.
Q: When do you add the glaze?
A: Near the end — honey burns easily, so glaze in the final few minutes.
Times & temperatures
| Cut | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thighs | 200°C / 400°F | 18–22 min |
| Breast chunks | 200°C / 400°F | 12–15 min |
The recipe
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp honey, 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oil, pepper
Method
- Air fry the chicken at 200°C for 15 minutes.
- Mix honey, garlic and soy.
- Brush on; cook 5 minutes more to glaze.
- Check 74°C and serve.
Tips
- Glaze late so the honey doesn't burn.
- Reserve some glaze to spoon over at the end.
- Serve with rice and greens, or like a low-carb meal with veg.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make honey garlic chicken in an air fryer?
Air fry the chicken at 200°C for most of the time, then brush with a honey, garlic and soy glaze in the last 5 minutes so it turns sticky without burning.
Why does the honey glaze burn?
Honey caramelises fast at high heat, so add it only near the end of cooking rather than at the start.
Can you use chicken breast?
Yes — breast chunks take 12–15 minutes. Thighs stay juicier over the longer glazing time.