Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites

Crispy, golden air fryer chicken bites tossed in buttery buffalo sauce for a bold, high protein meal that is simple to make and perfect for bowls or salads.

Buffalo chicken bites were one of the first recipes I made when I got an air fryer, and I immediately thought… wait, this is actually amazing.

They crisp up beautifully on the outside, stay juicy on the inside, and when I toss them in that buttery buffalo sauce, the flavor is bold and irresistible. It feels like comfort food, but it still fits easily into a healthy routine.

I usually serve them in a big bowl with roasted sweet potatoes and crunchy slaw. It’s filling, satisfying, and packed with protein.

Main Ingredients & Swaps

• Chicken breast – keeps this recipe lean and high in protein and works perfectly when you cut it into bite sized pieces. If you want a juicier texture, use chicken thighs instead.
• 1 egg – you’ll dip the chicken in this and then coat with the breading mixture.
• Almond flour – adds a slightly nutty flavor and creates a lighter coating. If that’s not what you have, use all purpose flour on its own.
• All purpose flour – builds structure and helps the breading crisp up beautifully. You can swap in a gluten free flour blend if needed.
• Garlic powder and onion powder – create a simple, savory base. Add a pinch of cayenne if you want more heat.
• Smoked paprika – brings depth and subtle smokiness. Regular paprika works well too.
• Hot sauce – drives the buffalo flavor. Choose your favorite and adjust the amount to control the spice level.
• Butter – gives the buffalo sauce its classic richness. Reduce it slightly if you prefer a lighter coating.

How I Make It

Start by cutting the chicken into small, even bite sized pieces so they cook quickly and evenly. In a bowl, mix together the almond flour, all purpose flour, and seasonings. Toss the chicken directly in the mixture until fully coated.

Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196°C). Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil to help them crisp.

Cook for about 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

While the chicken cooks, melt the butter and stir in the hot sauce. Once the chicken is done, toss it in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated and serve immediately.

👇🏻 To watch the full walkthrough of the recipe, check out my YouTube video below!

Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites

5 from 1 vote

Crispy, golden chicken bites tossed in buttery buffalo sauce for a bold, high protein meal that is simple and satisfying.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Chicken

Cuisine: American

Calories: 410

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 1 ½ pounds chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Olive oil spray

For the Buffalo Sauce

• ¼ cup hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter melted

Notes

• Each serving packs a whopping 42g of protein and 2g of fiber!

Method

 

1. Preheat air fryer to 385°F (196°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, all purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
3. Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.
4. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil.
5. Cook for about 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
6. Stir melted butter and hot sauce together. Toss cooked chicken in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

Video

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