Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Chicken katsu is a Japanese breaded cutlet, usually deep-fried. Here the panko is toasted in a little oil first, so it turns deep golden in the air fryer with a fraction of the fat. A stir-together katsu sauce of ketchup, Worcestershire and soy brings the sweet, tangy finish.
Updated
- Prep Time
- 15 mins
- Cook Time
- 12 mins
- Total Time
- 27 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu at a glance
Pound 2 chicken breasts to 1.5 cm thick and cut each in half. Coat in flour, beaten egg and oil-toasted panko. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 74°C (165°F) inside. Slice and serve with katsu sauce made from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and sugar.
- Total time
- 27 mins
- Calories
- 340 per serving
- Protein
- 38 g
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Chicken
Katsu sauce
Equipment
Air fryer · Small frying pan · 3 shallow dishes · Meat mallet or rolling pin · Instant-read thermometer
Quick Directions
- 1
Toast the panko
Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
- 2
Prepare the chicken
Cut each breast in half horizontally or crosswise, then pound the pieces between two sheets of plastic wrap to an even 1.5 cm thickness.
- 3
Bread the chicken
Put the flour and beaten eggs in two more shallow dishes.
- 4
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- 5
Make the sauce and serve
Stir the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and sugar together until the sugar dissolves.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer chicken katsu.
- 1
Toast the panko
Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the panko and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until light golden. Tip into a shallow dish to cool.
- 2
Prepare the chicken
Cut each breast in half horizontally or crosswise, then pound the pieces between two sheets of plastic wrap to an even 1.5 cm thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- 3
Bread the chicken
Put the flour and beaten eggs in two more shallow dishes. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in egg, then press firmly into the toasted panko to coat all over.
- 4
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Lay the chicken in a single layer and air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the crust is deep golden and the thickest part reaches 74°C (165°F).
- 5
Make the sauce and serve
Stir the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Rest the chicken for 2 minutes, slice into strips and serve over rice with cabbage, green onion and the katsu sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Toasting the panko first is what gives an air fryer katsu its deep golden colour.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness means it cooks through before the crust burns.
- Wash your hands, board and mallet well after handling raw chicken.
Variations
- Make katsu curry: serve the sliced chicken with a Japanese curry sauce over rice.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cook for 12-14 minutes.
- Turn it into a sandwich with soft white bread, cabbage and katsu sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 340 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 690 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate leftover katsu in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate.
- Freezer
- Freeze cooked, cooled cutlets for up to 2 months.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 5-6 minutes until hot in the centre and crisp.
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu FAQs
What is chicken katsu?
Chicken katsu is a Japanese dish of chicken cutlets coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until crisp. It is usually sliced and served with rice, shredded cabbage and a thick, tangy katsu sauce.
How long does chicken katsu take in the air fryer?
Cutlets pounded to 1.5 cm thick take 10-12 minutes at 200°C (400°F), flipped halfway. Check the thickest part reaches 74°C (165°F).
How do I get panko to brown in the air fryer?
Toast the panko in a little oil in a frying pan before breading. Air fryers crisp well but brown dry breadcrumbs slowly, so pre-toasting gives the classic golden colour.
What is katsu sauce made of?
A simple homemade katsu sauce is ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and a little sugar. It tastes like the bottled tonkatsu sauce sold in Asian grocery stores.
