Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s quick and easy: takes about 25 minutes from start to finish.

• You get the crunch of “fried” chicken without deep‑frying — thanks to the air fryer plus a coating of panko breadcrumbs.

• The honey‑garlic sauce adds a wonderful balance of sweet, savory and aromatic flavors that make each bite irresistible.

• Great as a snack, appetizer, or main dish — and versatile enough to serve with rice, noodles, or veggies.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

500 g boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if preferred)
2 eggs
1 cup flour
2 cups panko breadcrumbs (or any breadcrumbs; gluten‑free if needed)
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 (or tamari / coconut aminos for gluten‑free)
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
¾ cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch
Salt and lemon juice to taste

Directions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes (similar to chicken‑nugget size).

2. In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In two separate bowls, place flour in one and panko breadcrumbs in the other. Season both flour and panko bowls with salt, half the garlic powder, and a pinch of pepper.

3. Coat each chicken piece first in flour, then in the egg wash, then in the panko crumbs.

4. Place coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle or spray lightly with oil.

5. Air-fry at 200 °C (400 °F) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pieces are crisp and golden. Cooking time may vary depending on size of the cubes.

6. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce: in a small saucepan over medium-high heat combine sesame oil, crushed garlic, honey, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and water mixed with cornstarch. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.

7. Once chicken is cooked, transfer to a large bowl. Pour over the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

8. Serve immediately. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions or chives.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~15 minutes
Total time: ~25 minutes

Variations

• Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.

• Swap panko breadcrumbs for gluten‑free breadcrumbs if needed.

• For a different sauce profile, substitute the honey‑garlic glaze with barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or garlic butter sauce.

• Add extra flavor — mix in spices like onion powder, cayenne pepper, or herbs to the breading.

• Serve with rice, noodles, pasta, or cauliflower rice and add veggies like steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans for a complete meal.

Storage/Reheating

You can bread and air‑fry the chicken a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. To serve, reheat briefly in the air fryer until hot and crisp, then toss with the sauce.
You can also freeze breaded uncooked chicken (in a single layer, then in freezer bags) for up to 3 months. When ready, air-fry from frozen — though texture might be slightly different.
Leftovers (already sauced) can be kept in the refrigerator up to 3 days — reheat in the air fryer, but note the crispiness will be softer because of the sauce.

FAQs

How do I know when the chicken bites are cooked through?

Check that the outside is golden and crisp. A 15‑minute cook at 200 °C is typical for 1–2 cm cubes, but cooking time can vary with size. If unsure, cut a piece open — it should be opaque inside, with no pink.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes — boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and often stay juicier than breasts.

Can I make this gluten‑free?

Yes — just substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs (or crushed gluten-free crackers) and use tamari or coconut-aminos instead of soy sauce.

Can the sauce be made ahead of time?

You could prepare the honey‑garlic sauce in advance and keep it in the fridge. When the chicken is ready, gently reheat the sauce before tossing and serving.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You could bake the breaded chicken bites in a conventional oven: place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at roughly 200 °C, flipping halfway until golden and fully cooked. Then toss with the sauce.

Can I bake instead of air‑fry for a larger batch?

Yes — baking works too. You might lose a bit of crispiness compared to the air fryer, but brushing or lightly spraying with oil helps.

What side dishes go well with these chicken bites?

Steamed rice, noodles, pasta or cauliflower rice are all great. For veggies: sautéed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh salad complement the dish nicely.

Can I reheat leftover chicken and sauce?

Yes — store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days, then reheat in the air fryer or oven. The texture may soften due to the sauce.

Can I freeze the chicken bites?

You can freeze breaded, uncooked chicken bites (single-layer first then in bags) up to 3 months. For cooked-and-sauced leftovers, freezing is not recommended — texture and sauce consistency will degrade.

Can I adjust the sweetness/spiciness of the sauce?

Yes — you can add more or less honey and sweet‑chilli sauce to taste. If you prefer spicier, add extra chilli sauce (or a pinch of cayenne). For milder, reduce honey or chilli sauce.

Conclusion

These air‑fried honey garlic chicken bites are a fantastic go-to for a quick, satisfying meal. You get the crunch of fried chicken without the oil‑heavy downside, plus a delicious sweet-savory glaze that makes them almost addictive. They’re versatile, easy to customize, and quick to make — whether served as a snack, appetizer or a full dinner alongside rice or veggies. Give them a try when you want comfort food without a lot of fuss.