These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for game day or a busy weeknight. Made with simple ingredients and less mess than traditional buffalo wings, this delicious appetizer recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
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Why my recipe
Buffalo chicken is always a hit, but deep-frying can be messy and unhealthy. These air fryer buffalo chicken bites give you crispy perfection without the extra oil. Plus, the tangy buffalo sauce combined with crispy breadcrumbs creates a taste sensation everyone will love. They're perfect finger food for football season or anytime you crave that classic buffalo flavor!
Enjoy this delicious, healthier take on a classic buffalo favorite, and make your next game day or busy night a tasty one!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (boneless skinless chicken thighs work great, too!)
- Buttermilk (regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice can substitute)
- Wing sauce (such as Frank’s; other hot sauces like Louisiana or Tabasco also work well)
- Garlic powder and onion powder
- Panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs for a softer texture)
- Garlic and herb bread crumbs (Italian-style breadcrumbs are another tasty option)
- Salt and black pepper
- Cooking spray (nonstick avocado or olive oil spray recommended)
- Hot honey or additional wing sauce for drizzling or dipping (ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing are excellent choices for cooling down the spice level).
Directions
In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, wing sauce, and garlic and onion powders. Add cut-up chicken pieces and let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
In a shallow dish, combine panko, garlic and herb bread crumbs, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Remove chicken from the marinade letting any excess liquid drip off. Toss in bread crumb mixture, coating all sides.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray basket with cooking spray. Place breaded chicken in the basket, spacing them evenly apart. Spray top of chicken with cooking spray. Cook for 9 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (about 165 degrees F internal temperature).
Remove chicken from the air fryer to a plate. Drizzle with hot honey or more wing sauce, or serve alongside your favorite dipping sauce.
Baking instructions:
No air fryer? Place chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven for about 20 minutes.
Tips for Crispy and Delicious Results
- Adjust the spice level by adding cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breading mix.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if necessary.
- Marinate chicken overnight for a flavorful and tender bite.
Serving suggestions
- Serve your airfryer buffalo chicken nuggets with ½ cup my homemade Ranch salad dressing mixed with one tablespoon wing sauce.
- You can also serve your chicken bites with my blue cheese dressing or celery and carrot sticks.
- Or try these other dip ideas: cilantro garlic, sriracha mayo, chipotle crema.
Storage
Store leftover buffalo chicken nuggets in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to keep them crispy. They can be reheated in the air fryer or on a wire rack in a 400°F oven until warmed through and crispy again.
How to make buttermilk
If you find that you have all the ingredients to make the recipe but you just don't have any buttermilk, you can try making you own.
All you need is 1 tablespoon lemon juice for every 1 cup milk. Combine them in a measuring cup and let stand for 10 minutes!
More chicken air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Anytyzers
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup wing sauce such as Franks
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ¾ cup garlic and herb bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Nonstick avocado or olive oil cooking spray
- Hot Honey for drizzling or dipping
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 2 inch pieces (pieces should be big enough for two bites).
- In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, wing sauce, and garlic and onion powders. Add cut up chicken pieces and let marinate in the fridge for at least an hour.
- In a shallow dish, combine panko, garlic and herb bread crumbs, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Remove chicken from the marinade letting any excess liquid drip off. Toss in bread crumb mixture, coating all sides.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray basket with cooking spray. Place breaded chicken in the basket spacing them evenly apart. Spray top of chicken with cooking spray. Cook for 9 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (about 165 degrees F internal temperature).
- Remove chicken from air fryer to a plate. Drizzle with hot honey or more wing sauce, or serve alongside in a dipping bowl.
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