Crispy, spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets are perfect for the big game or enjoy them for lunch, or dinner.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
These are spicy!! Seasoned with chili powder, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika and dipped in hot sauce, not for wimpy taste-buds! I love buffalo-flavor anything, which is probably obvious by the many buffalo recipes I have on my blog. I decided to try my Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets recipe in the air fryer, and I must say they were delicious. The air fryer got the nuggets so crispy with minimal oil. If you love buffalo sauce as much as I do, make sure you try some of my other healthy buffalo appetizers, like Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Skins, Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, and Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Buffalo chicken nuggets ingredients:
- Chicken: I use two boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size chunks. You could also use boneless thighs if you prefer dark meat or cut the breast meat into long strips to make buffalo chicken tenders.
- Spices: Season the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper.
- Coating: Dip the chicken nuggets in hot sauce and then panko (gluten-free panko works too). I love Frank’s Red Hot, but feel free to use your favorite.
- Olive Oil Spray: Spray the chicken with olive oil before air frying.
How long do you cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
Air fry the buffalo chicken nuggets for 8 minutes at 400 degrees flipping halfway. A spritz of olive oil with help crisp up the panko. This is the air fryer I own and love, it’s the 7 qt.
What to Serve with Buffalo Bites
I love to serve these buffalo chicken nuggets with the classic sides – celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese dressing. You can also eat them by themselves as a party appetizer or over lettuce with blue cheese dressing for a buffalo chicken salad.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
- AF Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich with Sriracha Mayo
- Chicken Piccata
- Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (2 breasts)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder, use ground cayenne to make it hotter
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 cup seasoned panko, or gluten-free crumbs
- olive oil spray
- 3 tablespoons Frank's Hot Sauce, or your favorite hot sauce
- optional: celery stalks and carrot sticks, 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small bite sized chunks. Season with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder and black pepper.
- Place panko in a small bowl. Place the hot sauce in another small bowl.
- Dip the chicken into the hot sauce a few at a time, then into the crumbs and place on the air fryer basket in a single layer, in batches if needed.
- Spray the top generously with olive oil and air fry 8 minutes at 400, flipping halfway and spraying the other side when you flip.
- Serve with celery and carrot sticks and blue cheese dressing, if desired.
Delicious….flavorful and crunchy…
This came out fantastic! I used Frank’s buffalo sauce. I didn’t measure the buffalo or panko. I tossed the raw chicken with enough buffalo sauce that it was coated but not soaked or dripping sauce instead of dreading it in buffalo sauce. I then would bury one piece at a time in the panko and press and flip a few times until it dusted/lightly coated on all sides. I cooked at 400 for 11-12 minutes in each batch in my air frier and size of the chunks. It came out crispy and still moist (but fully cooked) and very flavorful. By far my most successful attempt at breaded chicken. My only issue is my impatience while waiting for the batches to cook. I am usually the queen of throwing it all in and over crowding, but I know that wont work here.
Did anyone else have trouble with the breading staying on when flipping these over? I also thought they came out a little dry – might mix the hot sauce with some butter next time.
These came out great! I totally missed the part about spraying them with oil, but they came out wonderful regardless. Made a honey mustard sauce to dip them in and served them alongside carrot sticks, celery, blue cheese dressing & ranch (Bolthouse Farms makes wonderful lowfat yogurt based dressings). Everyone loved them. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Awesome!
These were a big hit with the family tonight! Fun weeknight dinner and more importantly, got our teenage daughter conversing at the dinner table!! I’d say it’s a win. Delicious way to satisfy crispy chicken cravings.
These where amazing!
I made these with almond milk instead of hot sauce. I’m allergic to vinegar and most hot sauce contains vinegar. It was my first time using an air fryer. So yummy. I will definitely make these often.
This is the first thing I’ve ever made in the air fryer and man, I am HOOKED!! These are delicious and absolutely perfectly done. Thank you for this recipe, I followed it to the letter it and came out perfectly. Now to just stop myself from eating every piece of chicken…
Is there an alternative method you suggest from the spray oil? I don’t have any, just regular oil 🙁
These are so delicious! Thank you for another incredible recipe!
These were amazing! Everyone loved them- even my picky eaters!
Awesome!
These were really good! Def used a little more hot sauce than Gina hehe.
A few things I did differently when I made the second batch:
-pounded the chicken a bit. I prefer less of a “ball” nugget and more of a small tender.
-froze them and air fried them from frozen. I guess because they were thinner they still cooked in 8 minutes at 390 degrees. Tasted just as fresh as when I made them prior. I was hesitant to put in the fridge as I didn’t know if the bread crumbs would get soft.
Thank you Gina!
Made these tonight but crushed up some pork rinds to substitute for the panko. De-lish!
Made these last night – absolutely fantastic! I pounded the chicken a little before breading (for some reason I think it makes it taste more like restaurant that way?) and then made Gina’s homemade ranch dressing to go with carrots and celery sticks. Fiance approved! This recipe will be a repeater!
Just made this tonight and this recipe was so quick, easy, and delicious! Thanks Gina!
Made this tonight! So yummy and so easy! Lots of flavor. Super easy in the air fryer. Just wished I had a bigger one as took about 3 rounds in the fryer. But would definitely make again. Such a tasty & healthier chicken nugget or chicken wings option! Thanks Gina!
Glad you enjoyed it!
How many nuggets per serving?
It depends on the size each one is. Weigh them all after cooking and divide by 4. That is the serving size.
How can you do this in the oven as I don’t have an air fryer?
I have an oven version… https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-buffalo-chicken-nuggets/
Hi. I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find the air fryer link for the one you use. Can you please tell me the brand and model? I’m sorry and thank you!!!
Sure I just linked to it in the post! https://amzn.to/3uoeobn
These look delicious! Could I freeze these and air fry them from frozen? If so would the temp or time change?
I have never tried! I don’t see why not!
Just made these for lunch using chicken tenders cut up into bite size pieces. Such a quick, easy, and yummy meal!