These cheesy buffalo chicken bites are made crispy in the air fryer for a finger food version of buffalo cheese dip. Party guests love these air fryer chicken and cheese balls as an appetizer, but your family will also love them for dinner!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer cheese balls, air fryer chicken, buffalo chicken bites, buffalo chicken dip, cheese balls
Servings: 24balls
Calories: 248kcal
Author: Nikki Gladd
Ingredients
4oz.cream cheese, softened
½cuphot sauce
3cupscooked shredded chicken, about 1 rotisserie chicken
1 ½cupsshredded cheddar cheese
¼cupsliced green onions
1cupall-purpose flour
4largeeggs, lightly beaten
4cupscornflakes cereal, crushed
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the first five ingredients until thoroughly combined. Use a medium cookie scoop to spoon chicken mixture onto a baking sheet and roll into smooth 2-inch balls.
In three separate dishes, set out the flour, eggs, and cornflakes. Working with 6 balls at a time, dip and coat first into the flour, then the egg, then the cornflakes. Transfer back to the baking sheet. (Tip: Rinse hands between each batch.)
Preheat air fryer. (Optional: Line hot air fryer basket with parchment paper.)
Place up to 12 balls into air fryer at a time. Fry at 380°F for 10 minutes until crispy and golden. Let set 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
To freeze: After assembling and before frying, freeze chicken and cheese balls in a single layer on a baking sheet for 20 minutes. Transfer to freezer bag and store up to 1 month in freezer.
To fry from freezer: Fry buffalo chicken bites in preheated air fryer directly from freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition facts are an estimate based on an appetizer serving size of 2 chicken and cheese balls.