Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Crispy chicken bites cooked in the air fryer then coated in a sweet, aromatic honey garlic sauce is the perfect easy meal and makes a delicious snack.
Ingredients
- Chicken. I used boneless skinless chicken breasts but boneless chicken thighs can be used too.
- Eggs.
- Flour.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Panko creates a great crispy crust but any breadcrumbs can be used. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
- Salt and black pepper.
- Garlic powder. Other spices like onion powder, cayenne pepper or herbs can also be used.
- Sesame oil.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Honey.
- Soy sauce. Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as gluten free substitutes.
- Sweet chilli sauce.
- Water.
- Cornstarch.
How to make chicken bites in the air fryer
Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces (similar in size to chicken nuggets) then set aside. Place the flour and panko in separate bowls then season each with a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of garlic powder and a pinch of pepper. Whisk the eggs into a third bowl. Coat the chicken bites first in the flour, then in egg and finally in the bread crumbs. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket then drizzle or spray with olive oil. Cook the chicken at 200°C /400°F for 15 minutes, flipping over half way, until crisp and golden. Cook time may be different depending on the size of your bites.
In the meantime, make the honey garlic sauce. I love the Asian spin this sauce gives to the chicken nuggets but any sauce of your choice will be a great accompaniment. Honey mustard, bbq sauce, ranch, ketchup or garlic butter sauce will all be delicious. Combine the sesame oil, crushed garlic, honey, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, water mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for a few minutes until thickened slightly. Stir and season with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the air fryer and place in a large bowl. Pour over the sauce and toss to coat then serve immediately topped with sesame seeds and green onion/chives (optional).
Can I make this ahead?
The chicken can be breaded and air fried a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer until hot and crisp then toss with the sauce. Breaded, uncooked chicken can be frozen in a single layer then transferred to freezer bags and frozen for up to 3 months. Air fry from frozen Leftovers can also be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer but the texture won’t crisp up the same because of the sauce coating the chicken.
What to serve with chicken bites
These crispy chicken bites are delicious served on their own as a snack or light meal or with side dishes for dinner. Steamed rice, noodles, pasta or cauliflower rice are all delicious and sautéed broccoli or green beans are great veggie sides.
Air fryer chicken recipes
I always use my Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer with ClearCook. After testing a few different brand, the Instant Pot air fryer is the best I’ve used. It’s got a great temperature range and the different functions are super handy. I am partnered with Instant Brands South Africa.
Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 500 g (1lb) chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the honey garlic sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- salt and lemon juice to taste
Instructions
- Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces then set aside.
- Place the flour and panko in separate bowls then season each with a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of garlic powder and a pinch of pepper.
- Whisk the eggs into a third bowl.
- Coat the chicken bites first in the flour, then in egg and finally in the bread crumbs.
- Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket then drizzle or spray with oil.
- Cook the chicken at 200°C /400°F for 15 minutes, flipping over half way, until crisp and golden.
- In the meantime, make the honey garlic sauce.
- Combine the sesame oil, crushed garlic, honey, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, water mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch in a small saucepan set over medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for a few minutes until thickened slightly. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the air fryer and place in a large bowl.
- Pour over the sauce and toss to coat then serve immediately topped with sesame seeds and green onion/chives (optional).