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    Popular » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jun 25, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2019 by Dee

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are made with boneless chicken breast bites dunked in hot sauce and panko bread crumbs. An easy appetizer or quick dinner!

    Jump to Recipe -

    air fryer buffalo chicken nuggets on plate with celery

    We just bought an air fryer, and I've been having so much fun experimenting with easy air fryer recipes, like these Buffalo chicken nuggets! I usually make homemade chicken nuggets and Buffalo chicken bites in the oven, but they're super quick and easy in the air fryer!

    At first, I was skeptical about cooking chicken in the air fryer, but it really does a great job. The chicken gets super crispy but stays juicy inside. Plus, you don't have to heat up the house when you make these airy fryer chicken nuggets!

    These Buffalo chicken bites are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and they would be amazing as a game day appetizer. Pass the ranch, and enjoy!

    How to Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites in the Air Fryer

    These crispy Buffalo chicken nuggets are super easy, and you only need a few ingredients to make them. These are made without flour, eggs or lots of oil, so they're lighter than fried Buffalo chicken wings or boneless wings, but they're just as delicious!

    Tips to Make Breaded Chicken in the Air Fryer

    • Set ingredients out in an assembly line
    • Use a zip-top bag for easy breading
    • Have a platter or baking sheet ready to place the breaded nuggets on before air frying
    • Have a clean plate or platter ready for the cooked nuggets

    Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, roughly 2 inches long. Then, dip the chicken into the Buffalo sauce.

    dip cut chicken breasts in hot buffalo sauce

    Coat the chicken pieces with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. I use a zip-top bag for this step.

    shake buffalo chicken nuggets in panko bread crumbs in zip top bag

    Spritz the chicken with olive oil spray, and place into the air fryer basket. You will have to do this in batches so that the chicken browns evenly.

    How Long to Cook Breaded Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

    I cooked the chicken for 8 minutes at 390 degrees. Times may vary with different air fryer brands. Just make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees internally.

    panko coated chicken nuggets in air fryer

    My family inhaled these crispy chicken bites! They're spicy but not super spicy, so even my kiddoes liked them. If you want to add extra spice, you can add extra Buffalo sauce at the end.

    panko coated buffalo chicken bites on white plate with celery

    Pin this recipe to save it!

    air fryer buffalo chicken nuggets on square white plate

    May contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for info. 

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets Recipe

    air fryer buffalo chicken nuggets on plate with celery

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets

    Published by Dee
    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are made with boneless chicken breast bites dunked in hot sauce and panko bread crumbs. An easy appetizer or quick dinner!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Total Time 23 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 160 kcal

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless cut into 2 inch pieces
    • 1 cup hot pepper sauce or Buffalo sauce
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • olive oil spray

    Instructions
     

    • Melt the butter and the hot sauce in a shallow bowl
    • Place the panko breadcrumbs, sea salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper in a shallow bowl or zip top bag and mix together
    • Dip the chicken into the Buffalo Sauce, shake off excess, and dip chicken into breadcrumbs, pressing to make sure crumbs stick. You may have to do this in batches
    • Place chicken on a baking sheet or plate, and spray with olive oil spray
    • Preheat air fryer, and set temperature to 390 degrees
    • Add chicken to air fryer basket in single layer, and cook for 8 minutes, pausing and turning over halfway through the cooking process
    • Remove chicken from air fryer, and serve or keep warm to finish cooking all of the chicken. Chicken should be at least 165 degrees when done, according to meat thermometer

    Notes

    Recipe was made in a Ninja Air Fryer. Follow directions for your make/model if necessary.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 11gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 1281mgPotassium: 236mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 195IUVitamin C: 30.4mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1.3mg
    Keyword air fryer, Buffalo chicken nuggets
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy these easy crispy Buffalo Chicken bites as much as we do!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trish says

      November 19, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      These were a hit! Easy to make and my kids loved them. Next time I will make sure to use unsalted butter since it calls for salt in the recipe or vice versa.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 19, 2019 at 7:47 pm

        Thanks, Trish! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

    2. Maci says

      November 04, 2019 at 11:44 am

      Had two leftover chicken breast, found this on Pinterest. Made in my Faberware air fryer, awesome and pretty quick!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 05, 2019 at 7:40 am

        That's wonderful! Thank you so much!

    3. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      June 27, 2019 at 7:41 am

      These are on my must-make list!5 stars

      Reply
    4. James says

      June 27, 2019 at 6:48 am

      A hit all the way around. Light and tasty for the adults and just chicken nuggets for the kids!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 28, 2019 at 9:53 am

        So glad they were a hit at your house! Thanks!

    5. Kimberly says

      June 26, 2019 at 6:51 pm

      These look so good and I've totally got to try the air fryer!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 28, 2019 at 10:02 am

        It's definitely a game changer!

    6. Shannon Graham says

      June 26, 2019 at 8:11 am

      Why don't I have an air fryer yet??!?! I see delicious recipes like this and scold myself for not having one!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 26, 2019 at 3:03 pm

        I really like mine. You gave to go get one! 🙂

    7. Sara Welch says

      June 26, 2019 at 8:09 am

      This was such a quick and easy recipe! Made these for dinner last night and my kids loved every bite!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 26, 2019 at 3:02 pm

        Yay! So glad everyone liked them. 🙂

    8. Kim Seghers says

      June 26, 2019 at 8:06 am

      These air fryer chicken nuggets look delicious. I need to start using my air fryer. Thanks for the recipe.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 26, 2019 at 3:01 pm

        So glad I finally got one!

    9. Katerina @ diethood .com says

      June 26, 2019 at 6:30 am

      Oh wow, these sound fantastic!! Can't wait to try them!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 26, 2019 at 3:01 pm

        They are so good! Thanks, Katerina.

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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