Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Bites Recipe

This easy air fryer frozen chicken bites recipe is the ultimate easy snack or appetizer. Simply toss store-bought breaded, pre-cooked chicken bites into the air fryer and you have restaurant style boneless chicken in minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or ketchup. Not only are these perfectly golden brown and crispy but the centers are nice and tender.

Shortcut recipes are great for busy night or last minute guests! These crispy chicken bites in the air fryer are great to keep on hand for snack emergencies. The air fryer is the way to go when you want a crisp exterior and a tender interior, check out my other Air Fryer Recipes for more inspiration!

Some other last minute snacks include Frozen Spring Rolls in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds, and Crispy Tyson Frozen Chicken Strips in the Air Fryer!

Highlights of this recipe

• Quick and easy: these couldn’t be easier! They take just 15 minutes in the air fryer and
• Crisp texture: these are crispy and crunchy on the outside yet tender on the inside. The air fryer is definitely the best way to cook these, I prefer it over the oven.
• Easy for game day: these are great for game days as they don’t take much time and they are a satisfying snack and delicious, they are also something that most people will enjoy! Great for football season.
• Great party appetizer: these are great on a appetizer platter along with other finger foods like French fries, chicken wings, mini corn dogs, or cheese curds. Add different dipping sauces and toppings for a fun spread or appetizer tray.

The boneless chicken bites are crispy and tender, without the mess of deep frying in oil. Air frying keeps the outside golden brown and crispy and makes the inside nice and juicy. Serve these as is or chop them up and use in wraps, on pizza, or mixed into wraps!

This recipe will work for any brand of popcorn chicken or chicken bites. Toss in your favorite seasoning blend or serve with a trio of dipping sauce. I even like to diced these up and top nachos with them for a quick meal!

Ingredient List & Substitutions

• Store-bought pre-cooked boneless chicken bites: could substitute chicken tenders or popcorn chicken, found in most grocery stores – alternatively you can bread your own boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs in egg wash and a panko crumbs.
• Olive oil spray: any cooking spray will work, this just helps so the chicken doesn’t stick.
• Dipping sauces: such as ranch, honey mustard, hot sauce, barbeque, or ketchup.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken in Air Fryer

Let’s talk a little about the best way to make these frozen chicken bites in the air fryer (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Preheat air fryer.
• Add frozen chicken to the basket of an air fryer.
• Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces.

1, Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.

2. Add in chicken bites and air fry for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and warmed through.

3. Enjoy immediately.

Tools I used for this air fryer recipe

• Glasslock Glass Food Storage Containers – the square containers are the perfect size for lunches, stain proof, and they are dishwasher safe. Great air-tight container for storing leftovers or meal prep!
• Tongs – a must have kitchen tool! I love these for flipping things in the air fryer. They are stainless steel and clean up super easy.
• Instant 6 qt. Air Fryer – Sleek and functional, the perfect size for 2-3 people. I like this because it has a tray in the bottom which make cleaning easy and it allows for air to circulate evenly. It has a large tray so you don’t have to do so many batches and a window to see into the air fryer while cooking!

Variations & serving ideas

• Serve with fun sauces like ranch dressing, marinara sauce, honey mustard, or bbq sauce.
• Toss cooked chicken bites in lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or buffalo sauce for extra seasoning.
• Serve with air fryer Sweet Potato Fries, crinkle fries, or classic French fries.
• Add to a salad or chop up as a pizza topping.
• Top with black pepper and parmesan cheese.

You can also make your own popcorn chicken bites to toss in the air fryer. I have several easy recipes for chicken bites, my tip is to toss everything together in a gallon bag! That way you don’t get the mess and everything is coated evenly.

My recipe for Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is a fan favorite along with Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken and Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken. Use this crispy chicken in Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad or Breaded Sesame Chicken Tacos!

Tips for perfect popcorn chicken

• Don’t thaw the frozen chicken bites prior to air frying.
• Don’t overcrowd chicken bites in the air fryer, leave in a single layer.
• Add time as needed if your chicken bites are not crispy enough. Start with less time and add more as needed.

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

• Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer – another quick shortcut recipe.
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken – hand breaded chicken in a homemade teriyaki sauce!
• Frozen Cauliflower Wings – the perfect way to cook frozen cauliflower wings.
• Air Fryer Pigs In a Blanket Recipe – a classic recipe made with just a few ingredients.
• Air Fryer Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls – a delicious chicken mixture rolled into egg roll wrappers.

Recipe FAQs

How long do you cook frozen chicken bites in the air fryer?

Frozen chicken bites only need about 12-15 minutes in the air fryer depending on the size. As long as they are pre-cooked, I would error on less time to begin with so the chicken doesn’t dry out.

How do you cook frozen breaded chicken bites?

The best way to cook frozen chicken bites without a deep fryer is in the air fryer. To cook frozen breaded chicken bites without the mess of frying in oil, preheat your air fryer and cook chicken in the air fryer until golden brown and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. These can also be cooked in the oven.

What to serve chicken bites with?

Serve chicken bites with your favorite dipping sauce. Warm marinara sauce, honey mustard, homemade ranch dip, or sriracha aioli are all good options! Other sides like frozen French fries, salad, chips, or fresh veggies can make these a complete meal.

How do you reheat leftover air fryer frozen chicken?

To reheat cooked chicken bites, heat air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook for 6-8 minutes until warmed through.

Can I double or triple this recipe?

Yes! If needed cook in batches, and keep warm in a 200 degree F oven.