Print

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 55 reviews

These Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Bites are golden, crispy, and bursting with flavor thanks to a perfectly balanced hot honey sauce. Marinated in buttermilk and coated with a seasoned flour blend, these bite-sized chicken pieces are air fried to crispy perfection. Finished with a spicy-sweet glaze and topped with fresh spring onions and sesame seeds, this dish is a quick and delicious appetizer or snack that combines heat and sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade:

  • 500 g (1 lb) skinless chicken breasts, chopped into small bite-size pieces
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) buttermilk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • ¼ tsp garlic salt (or garlic powder plus an extra 1/4 tsp regular salt)

Crispy Coating:

  • 100 g (2/3 cup) cornflour (cornstarch in USA)
  • 1 large egg
  • 120 g (1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic salt
  • ½ tsp celery salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • spray oil (approx 15 ml or 1 tbsp for the whole recipe)

Hot Honey Sauce:

  • 180 ml (1/2 cup) runny honey
  • 3 tbsp hot pepper sauce (e.g., Franks hot sauce)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

To Serve:

  • Sliced spring onions (scallions)
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chopped chicken breasts with buttermilk, salt, white pepper, and garlic salt. Mix thoroughly and let it marinate for 30 to 60 minutes for best flavor, or a minimum of 10 minutes if short on time.
  2. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer basket(s) to preheat at 200°C (400°F).
  3. Prepare the Coating Stations: Set up three separate bowls: one with cornflour, one with a lightly whisked egg, and the third with the plain flour, salt, black pepper, garlic salt, celery salt, paprika, and dried thyme mixed together.
  4. Spray the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly coat the preheated air fryer basket(s) with spray oil to prevent sticking.
  5. Coat the Chicken: Take each piece of marinated chicken, toss it first in cornflour, then dip it completely in the egg, and finally dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Ensure each piece is fully coated for a crispy crust.
  6. Arrange Chicken in Basket: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches to ensure space around each piece for proper air circulation.
  7. Cook the Chicken: Spray the coated chicken pieces generously with spray oil. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes, turning or shaking the basket twice during cooking and spraying additional oil each time, until the chicken turns golden brown and crispy.
  8. Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the honey, hot pepper sauce, unsalted butter, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave covered loosely for 2 minutes or until butter melts, then stir. Alternatively, heat all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until melted and combined, then remove from heat.
  9. Toss Chicken with Sauce: Once cooked, immediately toss the air-fried chicken bites with the hot honey sauce until evenly coated.
  10. Serve: Plate the chicken bites and garnish with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.

Notes

  • Marinating chicken in buttermilk tenderizes the meat and helps the coating adhere better.
  • If you’re in a rush, marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes to get some flavor and tenderness.
  • Work in batches when air frying to ensure even cooking and optimum crispiness.
  • Spray oil generously during air frying to achieve a golden, crispy texture without deep frying.
  • Adjust the hot pepper sauce amount in the honey sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
  • The crispy coating uses cornflour for extra crunch and all-purpose flour for structure.
  • Serve immediately for best texture, as coating can soften if left to sit.

Find it online: https://mealoria.com/air-fryer-hot-honey-chicken-bites-recipe/