Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Crispy and spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets that are quick to prepare and perfect for a flavorful snack or meal. These bite-sized chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned panko crust and tossed in tangy Frank’s Hot Sauce, then perfectly air fried to a golden finish. Served with crunchy celery, carrot sticks, and blue cheese dressing for the classic buffalo experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (about 2 breasts), cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (use ground cayenne for more heat)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Coating
- 3/4 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free crumbs)
- Olive oil spray, for coating
Sauce and Serving
- 3 tablespoons Frank’s Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
- Optional: celery stalks and carrot sticks, for serving
- Optional: 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, season the chicken pieces evenly with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper to infuse flavor.
- Set up Coating Stations: Place the seasoned panko crumbs in one small bowl. Pour the hot sauce into another small bowl for easy dipping.
- Coat the Chicken: Working in batches, dip the seasoned chicken pieces into the hot sauce, coating them thoroughly, then immediately dredge them in the panko crumbs to adhere the coating. Arrange the coated nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Air Fry the Nuggets: Generously spray the tops of the coated chicken nuggets with olive oil. Air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 8 minutes total, flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time. When flipping, spray the other side with olive oil to ensure an even, crispy crust.
- Serve: Once the chicken nuggets are golden brown and cooked through, serve them hot with optional celery stalks, carrot sticks, and blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Use ground cayenne in place of chili powder if you prefer extra heat.
- Ensure chicken pieces are cut uniformly for even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for best crispiness.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to retain crispiness.
- Buffalo sauce can be adjusted to your preferred spice level by adding more or less hot sauce.