Introduction

These Air Fryer Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bites are a deliciously spicy and cheesy snack perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they bring bold buffalo flavor with every bite.

Air Fryer Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup hot sauce
3 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1 rotisserie chicken)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, hot sauce, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and green onions until thoroughly mixed. Use a medium cookie scoop to form the mixture into smooth 2-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Prepare three separate dishes with the flour, beaten eggs, and crushed cornflakes. Working in batches of six, dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the eggs, and finally coat with the cornflakes. Place the coated balls back on the baking sheet. Rinse your hands between batches to keep the coating process neat.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Optionally, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Arrange up to 12 chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes or until the bites are crispy and golden brown. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
Substitute cheddar with pepper jack cheese for a spicier twist.
Use crushed panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes for a different texture.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through to retain crispiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cooked chicken instead of rotisserie?

Yes, freshly cooked and shredded chicken works great. Just make sure it is fully cooked and cooled before mixing.

Can I freeze these chicken bites?

Absolutely. Freeze the coated chicken balls before air frying on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Air Fryer Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 76 reviews

These Air Fryer Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bites are a deliciously crispy and flavorful appetizer. Made with shredded chicken, creamy cheese, and a spicy buffalo sauce, they are coated in cornflakes for the perfect crunch and cooked quickly in the air fryer. Perfect for game day, parties, or a tasty snack anytime.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 bites 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup hot sauce
3 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1 rotisserie chicken)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions

Coating Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed

Instructions

Prepare the chicken mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, hot sauce, shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Use a medium cookie scoop to portion the mixture into 2-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet, rolling each into a smooth ball.
Coat the chicken bites: Set out three separate dishes with the flour, lightly beaten eggs, and crushed cornflakes. Working in batches of six, dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then into the egg wash, and finally roll in the crushed cornflakes to coat thoroughly. Place the coated balls back onto the baking sheet. Rinse hands between batches to keep the process clean.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Optionally, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
Air fry the bites: Place up to 12 coated chicken balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes until the bites are crispy and golden brown on the outside.
Rest and serve: Remove the chicken bites from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes to set before serving. This helps the coating stay crisp and the interior to firm up slightly.

Notes

Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor, but cooked shredded chicken breast works as well.
Feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
Crushed cornflakes provide a great crispy texture; you can substitute with panko breadcrumbs if desired.
For easier handling, rinse your hands between coating batches to prevent sticking.
These bites are best served immediately but can be reheated in the air fryer for crispiness.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken bites, air fryer appetizer, cheesy chicken snacks, crispy chicken bites, party food, game day recipes