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Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites

air fryer Bang Bang chicken bites - featured image
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These extra crispy air fryer Bang Bang chicken bites are juicy, crunchy, and tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, party appetizer, or meal prep, they deliver restaurant-style flavor with less oil and fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko)
  • Cooking spray or oil mister (avocado oil recommended)
  • For the Bang Bang Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (regular or vegan)
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2–3 tbsp Sriracha (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
  • Juice of 1/2 lime

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 2 hours in the fridge).
  2. Set up a breading station: In one bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt. In a second bowl, beat eggs. In a third bowl, add panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Drain chicken and shake off excess marinade. Coat chicken in flour mixture, then dip in beaten eggs, then press into panko breadcrumbs until well coated. Place breaded chicken on a baking tray.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Arrange chicken in a single layer, spacing them out. Spray tops of chicken bites with oil.
  6. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. While chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice to make the Bang Bang sauce. Adjust heat and sweetness to taste.
  8. Let chicken cool for 2-3 minutes. Toss bites in Bang Bang sauce or serve sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and panko. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and vegan mayo. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket for best crispiness. Let chicken rest a few minutes before tossing in sauce. Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer. Sauce can be doubled for extra dipping.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, bang bang chicken, chicken bites, crispy chicken, easy dinner, appetizer, high protein, spicy, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/air-fryer-bang-bang-chicken-bites-recipe-extra-crispy-and-easy-dinner/