Picture this: crispy, juicy Buffalo chicken bites, spicy and tender on the inside, made quickly in your air fryer! No need to wait for takeout or mess with greasy pans—this recipe gives you all the flavor with none of the hassle.
Perfect for a party, game-day snack, or quick dinner, these air fryer Buffalo chicken bites bring a delicious crunch and kick of heat every time.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through this flavorful, easy recipe with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips.
Stick around to see how to make these crowd-pleasers without breading, how long they cook in the air fryer, and the best ways to serve and store them.
What Are Buffalo Chicken Bites
Buffalo chicken refers to chicken coated in a spicy, tangy sauce typically made with hot sauce (often Frank’s Red Hot) and butter. This sauce originated in Buffalo, New York, giving the dish its name.
Buffalo chicken can be prepared in various ways, including chicken wings, chicken bites, chicken tenders, and is often served with a side of celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing to balance the heat.
The combination of spicy and savory flavors has made Buffalo chicken a popular choice for appetizers, game-day snacks, and even main dishes.
About The Recipe
This crispy buffalo chicken recipe brings the beloved Buffalo flavor in bite-sized form, perfect for air fryer cooking. We use Frank’s Buffalo sauce to get that classic tang and heat.
Whether you’re using a Ninja air fryer or any other model, this recipe is versatile and forgiving. Plus, you can make it from scratch or with frozen Buffalo chicken bites for an even quicker option.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy– No breading, no frying, and ready in under 20 minutes.
- Healthy– Made with minimal oil, these bites are a lighter option for Buffalo chicken lovers.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor– Perfect for parties, game days, or a quick family dinner.
- Customizable– Adjust the spice level, sauce, or serving style to make it your own.
Ingredients & Alternatives
Chicken Breasts
The base of this recipe is lean, protein-packed chicken breasts. Boneless, skinless breasts work best here because they cook quickly and have a juicy, tender texture in the air fryer. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, slightly richer flavor, or try store-bought Buffalo-style chicken bites if you’re in a rush.
Buffalo Sauce
Hot Buffalo sauce is a popular choice for its balanced tang and spice. For a milder flavor, mix half Buffalo sauce with half BBQ sauce. You can also try your favorite hot sauce mixed with melted butter for a more homemade feel.
Butter
Butter helps coat the chicken evenly and adds richness to the sauce, giving each bite a satisfying depth of flavor.
For a dairy-free option, substitute with olive oil or a vegan butter alternative.
Ginger–Garlic Powder and Paprika
These seasonings bring subtle warmth and flavor to the chicken without overpowering it.
Swap ginger powder with onion powder, or add a touch of smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
How to make air fryer buffalo chicken bites
Prep the Chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, aiming for even pieces so they cook uniformly. Pat them dry with a paper towel to help them crisp up.
Season the Chicken
In a bowl, toss the chicken with garlic powder, ginger powder, paprika, vinegar, salt, black powder, and a light drizzle of oil. Let seasoned chicken rest for 15-20 minutes for tender and deep flavored chicken bites.
Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and mix again to ensure even coverage.
Air Fry
Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
If using frozen Buffalo chicken bites, cook for about 15–18 minutes at the same temperature, shaking the basket midway.
Coat in Buffalo Sauce
Once cooked, transfer the hot chicken bites to a bowl and toss with mixture of melted butter and Buffalo sauce until each piece is coated.
To set the sauce, air fry the coated chicken for an additional 3-4 minutes. This step enhances the crispy texture. (optional but recommended)
Serve
Serve immediately with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing and enjoy the delicious, spicy crunch!
Tips To Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites
- Give the chicken bites space in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Removing moisture helps them get that crisp, golden texture.
- Shaking halfway through cooking ensures all sides are exposed to the hot air.
- Every air fryer cooks a bit differently, so keep an eye on the cooking time and adjust as needed
- If you’re doubling the recipe, you may need to cook the chicken in two batches based on the size of your air fryer.
- You can use bottled sauce or can make your own Buffalo sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with celery and carrot sticks along with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Layer them in a bowl with melted cheese and extra Buffalo sauce for a delicious dip-style serving.
- Stuff Buffalo chicken bites into taco shells with lettuce, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of ranch.
- Use these bites to add protein and spice to your favorite salad for a low-carb option.
How to Store and Reheat
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To maintain their crispiness, reheat the bites in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4–5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
More Air fryer recipes:
Give these crispy, flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites a try! Fire up your air fryer and enjoy every delicious bite.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more air fryer recipes and updates.
And if you loved these, check out our other popular air fryer dishes:
Air fryer Chocolate chips cookies
Air Fryer Chicken Veggie Nuggets
FAQs
How long do chicken bites take in the air fryer?
Typically, fresh chicken bites take 10–12 minutes at 380°F (190°C), while frozen bites take 15–18 minutes.
How do I air fry Frank’s Buffalo bites?
For Frank’s Buffalo bites, cook at 380°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
How long does it take to cook chicken in the air fryer?
Smaller chicken pieces like drumsticks or wings usually take 18–20 minutes, while larger pieces like breasts take 20–25 minutes at 400°F. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites: Crispy & Spicy
Description
These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites are the ultimate spicy, crispy, no-breading-needed snack! Made in minutes with simple ingredients and less oil, they’re a healthier twist on bold Buffalo flavor. Try them for quick, guilt-free satisfaction.
Ingredients:
Instructions
-
Prep the Chicken:
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, aiming for even pieces so they cook uniformly. Pat them dry with a paper towel to help them crisp up.
-
Season the Chicken:
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, ginger powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and vinegar. Toss until the chicken is well-coated.
- Let the marinated chicken sit for 15-20 minutes to absorb flavors and tenderize.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and mix again to ensure even coverage.
-
Air Fry:
- Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding.
- Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- If using frozen Buffalo chicken bites, cook for about 15–18 minutes at the same temperature, shaking the basket midway.
-
Coat in Buffalo Sauce:
- In a large bowl combine buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Now transfer the cooked hot chicken bites to a bowl and toss to coat in the buffalo chicken sauce.
- Air fry the coated chicken again for an additional 3-4 minutes to set the sauce. This step enhances the crispy texture (optional)
-
Serve:
Serve immediately with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing and enjoy the delicious, spicy crunch.
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 295kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 6g10%
- Saturated Fat 1g5%
- Cholesterol 145mg49%
- Sodium 2395mg100%
- Potassium 871mg25%
- Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 0.1g
- Protein 48g96%
- Vitamin A 561 IU
- Vitamin C 3 mg
- Calcium 16 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Adjust Spice Level: If you want milder bites, mix the Buffalo sauce with a little honey or BBQ sauce.
- Make It Extra Crispy: A light dusting of cornstarch on the chicken before seasoning can make these bites extra crunchy.
- If you're doubling the recipe, consider cooking the chicken in two batches to avoid overcrowding, which ensures even cooking—especially in smaller air fryer models.
- No Breading Needed: This recipe works beautifully without breading, but if you prefer a breaded texture, add panko crumbs before air frying.
- Adjust cooking time: For best results, remember that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so you may need to make slight adjustments.
