Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites

by Kayla Berman on November 25, 2025 0 comments

My spicy, snackable, and secretly sensible Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites recipe lets you feed your cravings without blowing your diet. These convection baked chicken breast nuggets have all the satisfying flavor and juicy texture of boneless wings, but none of the fried food guilt!

We’re in football season, which means it’s time to step up your snack game. Nearly every Sunday there’s an opportunity to set up a grazing station to nibble on while your team hits the field. (Go Patriots!!) But, rather than dragging out the same old boring veggie platters, make a batch of these deliciously spicy and spectacularly simple air fryer buffalo chicken bites.

They’re the perfect low-carb, low-fat alternative to chips and cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip. You still get all the salty-spicy flavor, but you don’t need anything to scoop them up! And, with 60 grams of protein per serving, air fried chicken bites are more substantial than most finger foods. They’re also naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, making them an excellent choice for sharing.

So, next time you host your macro-counting pals for a watching party, set up a low-carb, high-flavor buffet. All you need are my buffalo chicken bites, zucchini pizza boats, and charcuterie kebabs. It’s a trifecta that’ll practically guarantee that you’ll win the crown of Host with the Most. Game on!

Love buffalo chicken as much as I do? Check out my easy, cheesy buffalo chicken rice casserole, buffalo chicken flatbread, buffalo chicken stuffed peppers, and buffalo chicken meatballs next!

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Bites Recipe

Just 9 Simple Ingredients – My friends, these are not like Tyson buffalo chicken bites where the list of ingredients looks like the intro to a science dissertation. My easy recipe is made with just chicken, buffalo sauce, and an assortment of spice cabinet staples.
Better-For-You – If you’ve got a craving for bar food, do your body a favor and DIY. These boneless buffalo chicken bites are all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, high-protein, and air fried, not oil fried. You’ll still be able to scratch your itch, but without loading up on unnecessary fat and calories.
Versatile & Customizable – As much as I love snacking, you can easily turn buffalo bites into a proper meal—just add a starch and a veggie. And, while spicy buffalo sauce is my jam, you don’t have to feel limited. It’s just as easy to make BBQ chicken bites, garlic parmesan chicken bites, or teriyaki bites depending on your mood!

Nutritional Deep Dive

These air fryer buffalo chicken bites aren’t just craveworthy—they’re a stellar high-protein snack. Each ¼ portion of the recipe clocks in at 314 calories, with 60 grams of protein, just 7 grams of fat, and only 3 grams of carbohydrates. In other words, they’re basically a macro dream!

Using boneless, skinless chicken breast keeps things lean from the get-go. And, because they’re air fried instead of oil fried, you get all the spicy, crowd-pleasing buffalo flavor of traditional wings without a ton of fat. (Don’t worry. The baking powder helps achieve the crisp-edged texture you get from deep-fried wings, so they’re just as satisfying.)

While they are perfect for my macro targets, there are plenty of ways to make these buffalo bites satisfy your needs. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Need more protein? Serve them alongside my high-protein Greek yogurt cream cheese veggie dip or Greek yogurt ranch dressing. You can also turn them into a full meal by tucking them inside cottage cheese egg flatbread wraps with a dollop of your preferred yogurt-based sauce.
Missing fiber? Crunchy celery and carrot sticks are a classic pairing with buffalo wings. You can also pile the bites high on grain bowls, lettuce cups, veggie-packed salads or a bed of cauliflower rice!
Want to go even lighter? While lean chicken breast is already quite light in fat and calories and we don’t use much oil, you’re welcome to swap in pressed and cubed extra firm tofu or rehydrated soy curls. Otherwise, stretch your plate with fewer chicken bites and more veggie sticks!

Buffalo Wings vs. Baked Buffalo Bites: What’s the Difference?

Think of these air fried chicken bites as the lighter and less messy cousin of classic buffalo wings. You still get that signature tangy heat, but without all the heaviness (or oil splatter) that comes with traditional wings. Here’s why:

No bones: Buffalo wings are famously messy and a little high-maintenance. Traditional buffalo wings come from the wing section of the bird, which means skin, cartilage, and bones. These bites use boneless chunks of chicken breast, so they’re easier to eat, kid-friendly, and perfect for meal prep.
White meat: Wings are naturally higher in fat because they’re made with dark meat plus the skin. Using skinless white-meat chicken breast keeps these bites leaner and boosts their protein content. Win-win!
No butter + minimal added fat: Classic buffalo sauce is typically mixed with melted butter, which boosts richness but also the saturated fat. These bites are made dairy-free with straight buffalo sauce—no butter needed—and a light spritz of oil.
Air fried, not oil fried: Wings get their signature crispy skin from deep frying, which adds lots of extra fat. These buffalo bites rely on baking powder and high-heat air frying to achieve crave-worthy texture in a lighter, neater package.

TL;DR? With my easy recipe, you get all the buffalo flavor you love, none of the fuss, and a fraction of the fat.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Starting with a lean protein helps keep this appetizer light and lovely.
Baking Powder – Baking powder is the secret to getting those irresistible crisp edges without frying. When it hits the heat, it creates tiny bubbles that dry out the surface of the chicken just enough to mimic a craggy, wing-like texture.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – A double dose of allium complexity and sweetness makes these buffalo bites extra finger-lickin’ good.
Paprika – Go with sweet paprika for subtle warmth and color, smoked paprika for a hint of char-grilled flavor, or hot paprika for an extra spicy kick.
Buffalo Sauce – Because you can’t have buffalo chicken without a bottle of Frank’s Red Hot! (Or whichever brand you prefer.)
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – Simple seasonings tie everything together. Use freshly cracked pepper for maximum punchiness.
Olive Oil Spray – Adding a light spritz of oil barely increases the fat and calories, but helps encourage browning and prevents sticking.

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Bites

Step 1: Prep. Add the chicken pieces to a large mixing bowl so everything is easy to coat.

Step 2: Season Generously. Sprinkle in the baking powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated.

Step 3: Heat Air Fryer. Preheat it to 400°F so it’s nice and hot when the chicken goes in.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken. Arrange the pieces in an even layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each one. Give them a quick spritz of olive oil spray.

Step 5: Cook Until Crispy. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken hits an internal temp of 165°F.

Step 6: Warm the Sauce. If it just came from the fridge, pop it into the microwave for 20-30 seconds to loosen it up and prevent it from cooling the bites.

Step 7: Sauce It Up. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl, pour the warm sauce over top, and toss until every piece is coated.

Step 8: Serve & Enjoy. Spoon the buffalo chicken bites over rice and/or add carrots and celery on the side. Finish with your favorite dressing or dipping sauce.

raw chicken bites in a mixing bowl with seasonings on top.

buffalo seasoned raw chicken bites in a mixing bowl.

Optional Variations

If you love the base recipe, you’ll have even more fun customizing it. These buffalo bites are super flexible and easy to tailor to your cravings or dietary needs.

Adjust Heat – Use a mild buffalo sauce for a gentler kick, or go full-on spicy by adding cayenne, chili powder, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites – No air fryer? No problem. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact time depends on the size of your chicken pieces, so start checking around the 14-15 minute mark and cook until they reach 165°F internally. A quick broil (1-2 minutes) at the end will help crisp the edges even more.
Honey Buffalo Bites – Stir a tablespoon or two of honey (or hot honey) into your buffalo sauce for a sticky-sweet, slightly spicy glaze.
BBQ Chicken Bites – Swap the buffalo sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce for something sweeter and more family-friendly. (This also works with other sauces—teriyaki sauce, garlic parmesan butter, hot honey, or lemon pepper.)
Cauliflower “Wings” – Swap the chicken for cauliflower florets to make a lighter, veggie-forward version. Coat them in the same baking powder-seasoning mix, air fry until crisp, and toss in buffalo sauce. They’re light, delicious, and vegan-friendly!

Expert Tips

Briefly freeze the chicken to make cubing easier. Popping your breasts in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes helps to firm them up, which can make butchering a little easier.
Cut to the same size/thickness for even cooking. You don’t want any to dry out as you wait for the rest to cook through!
Pat the chicken dry for maximum crispiness. Removing excess moisture helps the edges get that wing-like texture.
Don’t skip the baking powder. It’s the key to achieving a crisp, craggy coating. I recommend using aluminum-free to avoid any metallic taste.
Space the chicken out in the air fryer. Crowding leads to steaming instead of crisping, so give each piece room.
Shake or flip halfway through. This helps every side cook evenly and get golden.
Warm the buffalo sauce. Heating it briefly helps it cling to the chicken and prevents it from turning the hot bites lukewarm.
Use a thermometer. Pull the chicken right at 163°F to keep it tender and juicy. (Carry-over cooking will get it up to 165ºF.)
Adjust cook time based on bite size. Smaller pieces cook quicker; larger pieces might need another minute or two.
Line the air fryer tray if possible. Perforated parchment makes cleanup much easier.

Serving Suggestions

These buffalo chicken bites are incredibly versatile, making them perfect for quick lunches, weeknight dinners, or game-day snacking. One of the easiest ways to serve them is in a bowl—pile them over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice and add crunchy carrots, celery, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese for a spicy twist on my street corn chicken rice bowls.

They’re also great tossed into a big, vibrant salad. Think of it as a variation of my burger salad bowl, adding crisp greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and whatever other veggies you love. As a bonus, the spicy buffalo flavor doubles as a built-in dressing booster for added oomph.

For something handheld, tuck the bites into tortillas or warm pitas with lettuce, carrots, and a creamy dressing. They make excellent chicken snack wraps for lunch or an easy dinner. And if you’re entertaining, these bites are perfect as a game-day appetizer—set them out with toothpicks, extra buffalo sauce and plenty of dips like ranch or blue cheese dressing.

You can also keep things simple by pairing them with air fried frozen french fries, air fried baked sweet potatoes, or a pile of garlic parmesan smashed potatoes for a no-fuss meal. Or turn them into a high-protein snack box for the week by pairing them with veggies, crackers, and a small container of dressing.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate: Store leftover buffalo bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: Freeze cooked, unsauced chicken bites in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, and sauce before serving.
Air Fryer: Warm at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to bring back their crispiness without drying them out.
Oven: Warm on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through and slightly crisp again.
Microwave: Heat in short bursts (30-45 seconds) until warmed through—this method is softer but quick.
Meal Prep Tip: Store the chicken and buffalo sauce separately to keep the bites from getting soggy. Toss together just before eating for the best texture.

FAQs

Are buffalo chicken bites healthy?

It definitely depends on the chicken bites! Mass produced, breaded, frozen options? Not so much. These homemade buffalo chicken bites are far more nutritious. They’re made with lean, white meat chicken, very little added oil, and basic seasonings, so you can trust what you’re putting in your body. They’re also high in protein (60 grams per serving), low-carb (3 grams per serving), and relatively low-fat/low-calorie (7 grams and 314 calories), all of which are generally considered hallmarks of healthy meals. That said, if you have any concerns about your diet, you should consult a professional!

Are buffalo chicken bites spicy?

Yes, but only as spicy as the buffalo sauce and seasonings you use. I find Frank’s Original to be in the mild-medium heat category, but that’s totally subjective. Hop up to the optional variations section for ideas of how to adjust the heat up or down!

Are buffalo chicken bites at Sonic?

Sort of. You can either order breaded chicken bites with a side of buffalo sauce, or during certain periods, buffalo chicken dip bites that are basically savory filled pastries. That said, my homemade version is likely to be cheaper and is definitely lower fat and more “all-natural.”

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