Air Fryer Buffalo Popcorn Chicken

This buffalo air fryer popcorn chicken is crispy, easy to make and full of flavor. This gluten free recipe is perfect for the Super Bowl or just a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer!

I’m pretty much obsessed with buffalo anything. Buffalo cauliflower, buffalo mac and cheese, tacos… the list goes on.

I had air fryer popcorn chicken on my list for a while now, and I figured the Super Bowl was the perfect time to make a buffalo version! Popcorn chicken is called that because they’re bite sized pieces that resemble kernels of popcorn. They’re crispy, bite sized, perfectly spicy and so easy to make. Plus, it’s much healthier than a traditional deep fried version!

They’re gluten and dairy free if you need them to be, but can also be gluten filled if you prefer. If you want to mix up the flavors, you can use barbecue sauce in place of buffalo sauce for a summertime version. Try my buffalo chicken taquitos or gluten free mongolian beef next!

Before we get started!

• This recipe is best served fresh, so try to prep it as close to serving as possible.
• I made it gluten free of course, but you can swap for regular flour and breadcrumbs if you are not gluten free.

How to make buffalo popcorn chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite sized pieces (about 1 inch cubes). Whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper.

Add the flour/spice mixture on top of the chicken and toss to coat. Whisk together the eggs in a bowl. Place the breadcrumbs in a second bowl.

Dip each chicken piece in the egg, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet.

When all pieces have been coated, place in a pre-heated air fryer. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You ideally want just one single layer of chicken to ensure it gets really crispy.

Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway. After 10 minutes, check a piece to ensure it is cooked through, and add two more minutes as needed.

When done, let cool for 10 minutes. Whisk together the ranch and buffalo sauce. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Serve immediately and enjoy! Try my air fryer chicken breasts or gluten free pretzel bites next.

Key ingredients

CHICKEN. You need one pound of chicken breast that we will dice into small pieces. I like popcorn chicken on the smaller size, but you can make them bigger if you want them more like chicken nuggets.

FLOUR & SPICES. We will coat the chicken in a mix of gluten free flour and some spices such as garlic in order to help give it a crispy coating.

EGGS. Once the chicken is coated, we’ll dredge it in an egg wash which will allow the breadcrumbs to stick to it.

BREADCRUMBS. I used gluten free breadcrumbs, but regular work too. Be sure they aren’t Italian flavored!

BUFFALO SAUCE. Any kind of buffalo sauce will do here! I like a medium spice, but feel free to do hot or mild.

What air fryer do you use?

I use this air fryer, which I love. Whatever you have should work though! Depending on the size, you will likely have to make this recipe in two batches.

Pro tip: Popcorn chicken traditionally uses breast meat, but you are welcome to use thigh meat if you prefer.

Serving suggestions

I love to serve these air fryer popcorn chicken bites with ranch, celery and carrots. Same with my buffalo chicken dip! The ranch helps cut the spice from the buffalo a bit and the celery and carrots add the perfect little crunch on the side.

They pair perfectly with some other football appetizers like my sweet potato quesadillas, chickpea taquitos, red pepper hummus or bang bang cauliflower.

Can I freeze popcorn chicken?

I haven’t tried it myself, but I do think freezing will give you better results than storing in the fridge.

To freeze, allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer safe bag and store for up to 2 months. I suggest reheating in the oven or air fryer to get that crispy texture back.

More air fryer recipes to try!

• Orange Chicken
• Sesame Cauliflower
• Honey Garlic Tofu
• Chicken Nuggets

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out! Be sure to follow me on instagram and subscribe to my newsletter for more recipes.