Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Dip
A quick and easy buffalo chicken dip with a crispy air-fried top and a bright lemon herb butter twist, perfect for game days, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works beautifully)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup hot buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- ½ cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp chopped fresh chives
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) while you prepare the dip.
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, chives, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt to make the lemon herb butter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese with buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and minced garlic. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in shredded chicken and half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir gently to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.
- Distribute small spoonfuls of the lemon herb butter evenly on top of the cheese layer.
- Place the dish into the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Check around 10 minutes to avoid over-browning.
- Check doneness by ensuring the dip is hot and bubbly with a crispy, slightly browned top.
- Allow the dip to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rotate the dish halfway through cooking for even crispiness. For extra crunch, sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top before the final cheese layer. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, air fryer dip, crispy chicken dip, game day recipe, easy appetizer, buffalo sauce, lemon herb butter