You know that perfect bite of crispy, juicy chicken coated in a creamy, spicy, slightly sweet sauce? That’s what we’re making today, and let me tell you, it’s ridiculously good. Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites are crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed in a bang bang sauce that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and spicy. And the best part? They take just 25 minutes to make!
This is the kind of dish that works for everything, quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even a fun appetizer for game night. No deep frying, no excessive cleanup, just crispy, saucy perfection. Pair them with rice, stuff them in lettuce wraps, or honestly, just eat them straight from the air fryer. No judgment.
🧡 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
These chicken bites cook up in just 12 minutes in the air fryer, making them a lifesaver for busy weeknights. You still get that crispy, golden texture, without the mess of deep frying. Just a little oil and the air fryer work their magic.
The creamy, spicy, slightly sweet sauce is what makes these chicken bites so good. It coats each piece perfectly, balancing the heat with a little sweetness. Honestly, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything, from rice to veggies.
These reheat beautifully, so you can make a batch ahead and have crispy, flavour-packed chicken all week long. Want to lighten it up? Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt, it keeps the sauce creamy while adding extra protein.
🔪 KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs or brush for coating the chicken
🥚 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
Here’s what you need for these crispy, saucy chicken bites:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and cut into bite sized cubes for even cooking.
- Cooking oil
- Paprika garlic powder, salt and black pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: Swap for Greek yogurt if you want extra protein.
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic powder
*These are the main ingredients. The full list of ingredients and measurements can be found at the bottom of this post!*
What is Bang Bang?
If you’ve never had Bang Bang Chicken, let’s fix that immediately. It’s a crispy, juicy chicken dish coated in a creamy, spicy, slightly sweet sauce that’s honestly good on everything. The name “Bang Bang” actually comes from a traditional Chinese street food, where poached chicken was pounded with a stick to tenderize it before being drenched in a peanutty, spicy sauce (the more you know!). The version most of us know today, thanks to restaurants like Bonefish Grill, leans more towards a sweet and spicy mayo-based sauce, and while it’s far from the original, it’s so delicious.
In this air fryer version, we’re skipping the deep-frying but keeping all the crispy, golden goodness. The Bang Bang Sauce is made with a mix of sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and mayo (or Greek yogurt, if you want a lighter option). It’s creamy, tangy, spicy, and just the right amount of sweet, the kind of sauce you’ll want to keep in your fridge for, well… everything.
📝 HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
1. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the chicken starts crisping up right away.
2. In another bowl, toss the chicken cubes with cooking oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated..
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth. Set aside.
4. Set aside ¼ of the sauce for dipping. The remaining ¾ will be used to brush onto the chicken. Keeping them separate prevents cross-contamination.
5. Arrange the chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Brush with the bang bang sauce marinade and cook for 6 minutes. Flip, brush again, and cook for another 6 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Serve warm with rice, lettuce wraps, or veggies, and dip generously in the reserved bang bang sauce!
☝🏻 Tips and tricks
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If needed, cook the chicken in batches so each piece gets crispy.
- Meal prep friendly! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes to crisp them back up.
- Swap the protein. This sauce works great with shrimp, tofu, or even cauliflower for a vegetarian version.
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned chicken bites in a single layer and bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. To get them extra crispy, you can broil them for the last 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, chicken thighs work really well in this recipe! They have more natural fat, which makes them extra juicy and flavourful. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same instructions. You may need to add 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time since thighs take slightly longer to cook than chicken breast.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes to crisp them back up. If you’re in a rush, you can also microwave them, but they won’t be as crispy. The Bang Bang Sauce should be stored separately and can be stirred before serving again.
These Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites are fast, easy, and totally addictive. Whether you’re making them for a quick dinner or serving them as an appetizer, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. The crispy chicken, creamy sauce, and spicy-sweet balance make them irresistible and since they’re air fried, they’re way lighter than the deep-fried version.
Try them out and let me know: are you a dipper or a drizzler when it comes to Bang Bang sauce?
Tag me on Instagram or Tiktok or DM me a photo if you make this recipe!
More quick and easy recipes like this
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20-Min Mongolian Shrimp – Quick and flavourful shrimp with a slightly spicy kick and crisp broccoli.
30-Min One Pan Spicy Thai Lime Chicken – Bright, tangy, and loaded with bold Thai flavours, perfect for a fast and satisfying dinner.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Crispy, juicy, and coated in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce, these Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Bites are an easy and healthier take on the restaurant favourite. With just 12 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or whenever you’re craving something crispy without deep frying.
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 2 lbs. chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, cut into 1″ cubes
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
BANG BANG SAUCE
- 1 cup mayonnaise, can sub for full fat greek yogurt for more protein
- 1/2 cup sweet chili
- 3 tablespoon Sriracha
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
- In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili, Sriracha, honey, soy sauce and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, season the chicken with cooking oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Toss until all pieces are coated.
- Portion 1/4 of the sauce into a serving bowl. The remaining 3/4 of the sauce will be used as marinade to brush on the chicken. It’s important to keep the serving sauce separate from the marinade sauce since redipping the brush after contact with the raw chicken will cause cross contamination.
- Place the chicken bites into one layer of your air fryer tray. Generously brush the marinade sauce onto the chicken. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken, rebrush the marinade and cook for another 6 minutes or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve with warm rice and dip the chicken bites into the delicious bang bang sauce!
Notes
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- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dinner, Chicken, 20 mins, Air fryer
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