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Air Fryer Ground Chicken Buffalo Bites - Crispy, Spicy, and Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground chicken (93% lean works best)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced onion or 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
  • 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (or 1 tablespoon olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar (optional, to balance heat)
  • For serving: ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, carrot sticks

Method
 

  1. Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 390°F (200°C). Let it heat while you mix the bites. A hot basket helps them crisp.
  2. Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, onion or onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir with a fork or clean hands until just combined. Do not overmix; it can make the bites tough.
  3. Shape the bites: Lightly oil your hands and scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time. Roll into small balls or form into nugget-shaped bites, about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. You should get 22–26 bites.
  4. Prep the basket: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Arrange the bites in a single layer with a little space in between. Work in batches if needed.
  5. Air fry: Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bites are golden and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 7 minutes.
  6. Make the buffalo sauce: In a small bowl, mix hot sauce, melted butter (or olive oil), and honey if using. Taste and adjust heat by adding more hot sauce or mellowing it with a bit more butter.
  7. Toss and finish: Transfer cooked bites to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over and toss gently until coated. For extra crisp edges, return sauced bites to the air fryer for 1–2 minutes.
  8. Serve: Plate with celery, carrots, and your favorite dip. Sprinkle with extra parsley or a crumble of blue cheese if you like.