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These healthier Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites are baked not fried but with all the delicious flavors as regular chicken nuggets. Using the air fryer cooks them up nice and crispy but without the calories and with plenty of tasty buffalo sauce flavor!
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Buffalo chicken nuggets are a childhood favorite! These air-fried buffalo chicken nuggets have a bit of a kick from the buffalo sauce and the seasonings. They're a bit spicy!
This tasty air fryer chicken nuggets recipe cooks the nuggets super crispy without the oil or the calories! They're seasoned with garlic powder, paprika and chili powder and dipped in a touch hot sauce before breading -- so they're packed with flavor.
I love buffalo flavored foods, which is why I have so many buffalo inspired recipes on my website like this buffalo chicken dip, my meal prep buffalo chicken spaghetti squash, this buffalo chicken salad, and more!
Why I Love This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
- Lower Calorie & Fat: Each serving of these healthy chicken nuggets for kids has only 213 calories and 4 grams of total fat per serving. That is much less than chicken nuggets bought in the freezer section of your local store!
- Higher Protein: This healthy buffalo chicken nugget version has 27 grams of protein (woohoo!) so they will be more filling. Compared to store-bought chicken nuggets that have much less protein, this makes a huge difference.
- Easy to Make: These buffalo nuggets made from scratch take just 15 minutes to prepare!
- Simple Ingredients: Everything you need to make a batch of air fryer buffalo bites are easy to find at most grocery stores.
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this buffalo chicken bites recipe!
- Boneless Chicken Breast: I prefer using organic, pasture-raised chicken from ButcherBox to make homemade buffalo chicken nuggets in the air fryer. Though chicken thighs, turkey breast, or lean pork are alternatives you can use instead.
- Breadcrumb Seasoning: We will add garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika to the breadcrumbs for added flavor. This makes the air fryer nuggets tasty with and without the buffalo sauce.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko-style breadcrumbs are the trick to a super crispy crust on the chicken. These are the gluten free breadcrumbs I used. You can also use regular Panko breadcrumbs or you can blend oats to make a flour and use it instead.
- Buffalo Sauce: I used Frank's red hot sauce. Here is another brand I frequently use too. Feel free to choose a mild version if you're preparing for kids or you like a bit less ehat.
- Cooking Spray: This gives the nuggets its golden crust and helps the breadcrumbs stay on the pieces of chicken. Regular PAM works or you can use avocado oil spray.
For the full list of ingredients along with the quantities of each one, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.
Variations
- Paleo: Use the breading mixture in this almond flour buffalo chicken tenders recipe and chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Follow the cooking times given here in this air fryer buffalo chicken breast recipe.
- Different Sauce: If you aren't a fan of buffalo sauce, these air fryer chicken bites are also great with this low sugar barbecue sauce or your favorite.
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for tofu nuggets. Cut a block of firm or extra firm tofu up into cubes. Then bread and cook them following the same instructions given in the recipe.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Nuggets In The Air Fryer
Grab all your ingredients and air fryer to get stared. This is the air fryer I used for this low calorie chicken nugget recipe. It is smaller but works well for two people. If you have a larger family, a larger air fryer like this one would be better.
Step 1: Prep the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch bite-size pieces.
Step 2: Make the breading. Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl with the seasonings and mix to combine. Also pour the buffalo sauce into a nother bowl.
Step 3: Dip each piece of chicken into the hot sauce covering it completely. Next, dip it immediately into the breadcrumb bowl and turn it around so that the breadcrumbs coat the outside.
Step 4: Cook. Place the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. For smaller air fryers this may mean you need to cook in batches. Spray the top of the chicken pieces lightly with cooking spray. Cook at 400° F for 4 minutes, then flip the pieces over, spray the other side, and cook for another 4 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Bake in the Oven: If you don't have an air fryer, these can easily be made in the oven or toaster oven. Bake at 400° F for 4 minutes and flip and bake for another 4 minutes. The same as the recipe!
- Extra Buffalo Flavor: You can toss the cooked buffalo chicken bites in more sauce after cooking. Just add them to a bowl and drizzle some sauce over the top. Use some tongs to toss the chicken around to coat the pieces with the sauce.
- Don't Skip the Cooking Spray: This aids in cooking and results in a crunchier coating.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken nuggets can be served as an appetizer or as a meal. Here are options for serving buffalo chicken nuggets!
- Chopped veggies like celery and carrots with healthy ranch dressing or light blue cheese dressing are classic pairings for these hot chicken bites. They work great served this way as an appetizer or healthy party food for game day events or any gathering.
- Add them to a salad made from bagged lettuce or chopped kale. They're also great on top of this healthy Olive Garden salad.
- For dinner, they go great with a side of roasted broccoli or roasted cauliflower along with air fryer sweet potatoes.
- They make a tasty protein dish to serve with a bowl of soup. Try them with this healthy tomato soup, healthy broccoli cheddar soup, or butternut sweet potato soup.
More Healthy Buffalo Chicken Recipes To Try
If you tried this buffalo chicken air fryer recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast boneless, skinless
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¾ cup Breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons Hot Sauce
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite size pieces.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl with the seasonings. Mix to combine.
- Dip each chicken piece into the hot sauce covering it then dip it immediately into the breadcrumb bowl.
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
- Spray the top of the chicken nuggets lightly with cooking spray. Air Fry at 400 F for 4 minutes then flip, spray the other side and cook for another 4 minutes.
- Remove and serve!
Notes
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can make these in the oven or toaster oven. Bake at 400 F for 4 minutes and flip and bake for another 4 minutes. The same as the recipe!
- For a paleo version, use the breading mixture in this almond flour buffalo chicken tenders recipe and chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Follow the cooking times given here in this recipe.
- Be sure you don't skip the cooking spray. This aids in cooking and results in a crunchier coating.
Nutrition
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