Crispy Irish Chicken Air Fryer Bites Best Easy Appetizer Recipe
These crispy Irish chicken air fryer bites offer a quick, flavorful, and fuss-free appetizer with a perfect balance of seasoned coating and juicy interior, ideal for parties or casual snacks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Irish seasoning blend (equal parts dried parsley, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of ground mustard powder)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon each)
- Olive oil spray for air fryer crisping
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with buttermilk. Stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- Prepare the coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Irish seasoning blend, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Toss the pieces in the seasoned flour mixture until well coated. For extra crunch, dip back into buttermilk quickly and re-coat with flour (optional).
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange chicken in the basket: Place the coated bites in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Lightly spray the pieces with olive oil spray.
- Cook: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The bites should be golden brown with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Add 1-2 extra minutes if needed for crispiness.
- Rest and serve: Let the bites rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before marinating if coating doesn’t stick well. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispiness. Flip chicken halfway through cooking for even browning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Double coating with buttermilk and flour can increase crunchiness. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with plant-based milk plus lemon juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6-7 bites per
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crispy chicken bites, Irish chicken, air fryer recipe, appetizer, easy snack, quick chicken bites, healthy fried chicken alternative