These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites are the perfect combination of flavors and can be assembled with just a few simple ingredients. The spicy buffalo sauce pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken and crunchy breading. They are great for an appetizer or as a quick weeknight meal.
Prefer pasta? Then serve this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️These tasty bites come together quickly and can easily be made in under 30 minutes.
✔️The mild spice level makes these buffalo chicken bites a great option for kids who don't like overly spicy food.
✔️The air fryer method creates a crispy texture that is out of this world delicious.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- olive oil
- salt and black pepper
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- cornstarch
- Buffalo sauce (like Frank's RedHot Sauce)
- chicken broth (optional)
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Dice the chicken breasts into bite-size pieces.
- Place chicken cubes in a medium mixing bowl. Add olive oil and mix to coat.
- Sprinkle seasoning over the chicken and mix again until well coated.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch and mix to coat the chicken bites.
- Place in the air fryer and cook on a Manual setting at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken bites and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- In a clean medium sized bowl, mix the RedHot sauce with the chicken broth.
- Add the cooked chicken. Mix the sauce and chicken to cover and coat.
- Place the coated chicken back in the air fryer and cook chicken bites for an additional 3 minutes.
Equipment
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- knife and cutting board
- mixing bowls
- air fryer
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FAQ's
Buffalo chicken gets its name from the city of Buffalo, New York, where the classic combination of spicy buffalo sauce and chicken originated.
Boneless chicken wings became popular in the U.S. in the 1990s as a convenient way to enjoy Buffalo wings without having to deal with bones and messy hands. They took on the name because they have the same flavor as their traditional bone in counterparts.
The key to making sure your chicken bites turn out crispy is to make sure they are well coated with the cornstarch mixture. This helps create a nice crust that will become crunchy when cooked in the air fryer.
Deb's tips
- Try to cut your chicken pieces into uniform-sized pieces, so that they cook evenly and you don't even up with tough pieces.
- Place your bite-sized pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that they cook on all sides. Plus, you can spray your basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make sure to flip the chicken bites halfway through cooking for even and thorough cooking.
- If you have a small to medium sized air fryer, I recommend that you cook your chicken in batches so that the chicken.
- To control the heat level, adjust the amount of buffalo sauce used or you could add a little melted butter to the sauce to tone down the heat level.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes or until cooked
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as ranch dip or blue cheese dressing, and a side of carrot and celery sticks for a simple meal.
- The best part of this easy recipe is that it's perfect for meal prep. The chicken works so well in wraps, salads, quesadillas, or even on top of pasta.
- Make sure that the internal temperature of your crispy chicken bites reaches 165 degrees f.
Variations
- To switch up the flavors, try replacing the Buffalo sauce with honey garlic, your favorite wing sauce, or BBQ sauce.
- For an extra crispy texture, double dip your chicken in the cornstarch mixture.
- If you are looking for an extra crunchy coating, you could try adding a few tablespoons of panko bread crumbs to the cornstarch mixture.
- Not a fan of white meat chicken? Instead of using boneless chicken breasts, you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs but you will need to adjust the cooking time to adjust for the dark meat. It will take a little longer.
- You could also make air fryer buffalo chicken tenders by using chicken tenderloins. You will need to add additional cooking time to ensure the chicken is done all the way.
Storage
Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze - For longer storage, place leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat - Put back into the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes or until the desired warmth.
Freezer - Individual cooked chicken bites can be frozen on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then transferred to an airtight container once frozen. To reheat, place in the air fryer for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
Related recipes
- The next time you need new recipes to add some variety to your meal plan be sure to check out these Easy Chicken Casserole recipes, they are tasty, family friendly, and there is something there for everyone!
- Are you looking for a new delicious recipe that is filled with tangy buffalo flavor but also family-friendly and easy to make? Look no further than this Buffalo Chicken Casserole it's hearty comforting and great for busy nights.
- The Chicken Teriyaki Recipe is perfect if enjoy super flavorful chicken. This recipe is the best and it's so easy!
- This Chicken and Potato Bake is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with hearty flavors that the whole family will rave about after the first bite.
Serve air fryer buffalo chicken bites with
- If you are like me and want to make these chicken bites for a delicious dinner then you can't go wrong with pairing them with a side of these Smashed Potatoes. Crispy potatoes just pair so well with just about everything!
- Are you making these buffalo bites for football season? If so, you will want to whip up a batch of this Blue Cheese Dip to serve alongside it!
- This Hot Sloppy Joe Dip is another one of my favorite recipes to make for game day. It's cheesy, flavorful and always a hit with my friends and family.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¾ cups Hot sauce I used RedHot
- ¼ cup chicken broth optional
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Instructions
- Trim any excess fat off the chicken. Dice the chicken breasts into bite-size (1.5 to 2 inches cubes).
- Place chicken cubes in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour olive oil over chicken and mix to coat.
- Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, ground pepper, and smoked paprika on the chicken. Mix the chicken again until well coated.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch and mix to coat the chicken bites.
- Place in the air fryer and cook on a Manual setting at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken bites and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken's internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F
- Once the chicken is all cooked you have a few options.
- Mix the RedHot sauce with the chicken broth. (If you prefer spicy, toss it directly in the RedHot Sauce.)
- Mix the cooked chicken with the sauce.
- Place the coated chicken back in the air fryer and cook chicken bites for an additional 3 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
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