Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites (Ready in 20 Minutes!)

Name: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1.25 lbs Chicken Breasts (cut into cubes or bite-sized pieces); 1/4 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt (optional); 1/2 tsp Black Pepper; 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/2 tsp Onion Powder; 2 tbsp Avocado oil; 1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Wing Sauce; 1 tbsp Butter (unsalted)

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites are a quick, flavorful option for just about any occasion. Whether I’m making an easy weeknight dinner, meal prepping for busy days, or putting out an appetizer for a crowd, these bite-sized chicken pieces always deliver. They cook up in under 20 minutes, giving you bold air fryer buffalo chicken flavor without a long prep or cook time.

air fryer buffalo chicken bites with celery sticks, creamy blue cheese dressing and hot sauce on a plate

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A few reasons this recipe keeps making its way back onto our table include:

So versatile: These bite-sized buffalo chicken pieces work just as well for a simple main dish as they do for meal prep or an easy appetizer.
Fast and convenient: Everything cooks in the air fryer in under 20 minutes, which is perfect for busy days.
Weeknight friendly: With a quick cook time and simple steps, this is one of those recipes you can rely on when time is tight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section shares a few helpful notes on the ingredients you’ll need to make buffalo chicken bites in the air fryer successfully.

You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken Bites

Chicken breasts, cut into cubes or bite sized pieces: Lean, tender, and ideal for quick air fryer cooking. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
Natural Ancient Sea Salt (optional): Use lightly if your buffalo sauce is already salty.
Black pepper
Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor that pairs well with buffalo sauce.
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Avocado oil: A high-heat oil that helps the chicken crisp without burning. If you don’t have this, olive oil is another great option.

Buffalo sauce

Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce: Classic buffalo flavor with the right balance of heat and tang.
Unsalted butter: Helps mellow the heat and creates a smooth, glossy sauce. Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level.

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites

Making air fryer buffalo chicken bites without breading is simple and straightforward.

Use the step by step photos as a visual guide, and let this quick overview walk you through the process.

Season the chicken

Mix the spices while the air fryer preheats, then toss the chicken with oil and seasoning until evenly coated.

Arrange the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket so they cook evenly and get lightly crisped.

chicken breasts coated with spices and oil in a bowl; chicken breasts arranged in a single layer in the air fryer

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Sauce and serve

Air fry the chicken until cooked through, then stir together the buffalo sauce.

Toss the hot chicken in the sauce, let it rest for a few minutes so the flavor sticks, and serve with extra sauce on the side if desired.

buffalo sauce ingredients in a bowl; cooked chicken coated in buffalo sauce

Pro Tips That Save Time & Add Flavor

A few simple techniques can make a big difference when it comes to flavor and texture with this recipe:

Give the chicken space: Arrange the pieces in a single layer and cook in batches if needed. This allows hot air to circulate and helps the chicken brown instead of steaming.
Sauce while hot: Toss the chicken in the buffalo sauce as soon as it comes out of the air fryer so the sauce coats evenly and really sticks.
Keep pieces uniform: Cutting the chicken into similar-sized bites helps everything cook evenly.
Don’t skip the rest time: Let the sauced chicken sit for a few minutes before serving. This short rest helps the flavor settle and lets the sauce cling to each piece.

Swaps & Variations

All of my recipes are kitchen tested and designed to flex with what you have on hand.

Here are a few easy ways to make this one work for you:

Protein swaps: Chicken thighs are a great alternative if you prefer juicier meat. Just trim any excess fat and cut them into evenly sized pieces so they cook consistently.
Budget-friendly tip: Buying whole chicken breasts and cutting them yourself saves money and lets you control the size of each piece.
More flavor: Add a pinch of cayenne or ghost pepper seasoning for extra heat.

What to Serve With This

If you want to turn these air fryer buffalo chicken bites into a full, satisfying meal or party spread, I love pairing them with a few other favorites from across the site:

tender air fryer buffalo chicken bites with dipping blue cheese and hot sauce

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions from people making boneless buffalo chicken bites in the air fryer with tips based on how I make them:

How long do you Air Fry buffalo chicken bites?

I usually cook mine for about 8–10 minutes at 400°F, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. This gives the chicken a nice crisp on the outside while keeping it juicy inside.

How long for chicken bites in the air fryer?

For bite-sized pieces, 10–12 minutes at 380–400°F works perfectly. Fresh chicken cooks a bit faster than frozen, and keeping the pieces similar in size helps them cook evenly.

How do I make buffalo chicken in the air fryer?

After air frying the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through, toss the hot chicken bites in your buffalo sauce. Doing it while the chicken is still warm helps the sauce cling to every bite.

Storage & Reheating

Store: Keep leftover boneless buffalo chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: While cooked chicken breast can be frozen safely, these bite-sized pieces are lean and cook quickly, so freezing can make them a bit dry and less tender. For the best texture and flavor, I recommend enjoying them fresh.
Reheat: Warm in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes to bring back heat and maintain flavor.