Introduction

These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful snack or meal option. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they make a perfect appetizer or protein-packed bite for any occasion.

A white round plate holds about eighteen golden-brown, crispy fried chicken nuggets, each piece irregular in shape with textured, crunchy breading. The nuggets are scattered evenly across the plate, sprinkled lightly with finely chopped green herbs. On the upper left of the plate, a small white bowl contains a creamy, light beige dipping sauce also topped with finely chopped green herbs. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with some extra herbs scattered around, adding a fresh contrast in the composition. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
Cooking spray

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning mix, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 3: Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are well-coated.
Step 4: Coat the egg-dipped chicken pieces in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good coating.
Step 5: Arrange the coated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
Step 6: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, spray the chicken bites with cooking spray before and halfway through cooking.
Substitute the chicken breast with turkey breast for a leaner option.
Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy twist.
Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

How to Serve

A large white round plate on a white marbled surface holds about fifteen golden brown, crispy breaded chicken nuggets scattered around. The nuggets have a rough texture with visible crumbs, and they are sprinkled with small chopped green herbs. On the top left of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with smooth creamy white dipping sauce, also garnished with chopped green herbs. A gray and white striped cloth is visible in the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken breast cut into pieces. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely and pat dry before breading to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.

What dipping sauces go well with ranch-crusted chicken bites?

These chicken bites pair well with ranch dressing, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a spicy sriracha mayo for extra flavor.

Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 112 reviews

These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are crispy, flavorful, and perfectly bite-sized. Coated in a zesty ranch seasoning and Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, then air fried to golden perfection, they make an ideal appetizer or snack that’s both easy to prepare and delicious.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating

1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Other

2 large eggs, beaten
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the chicken bites evenly and quickly.
Prepare Coating Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning mix, and grated Parmesan cheese. This mixture will add a crispy, flavorful crust to the chicken.
Dip Chicken in Eggs: Take each bite-sized piece of chicken and dip it into the beaten eggs, fully coating each piece to help the breadcrumb mixture stick.
Coat Chicken Pieces: Roll the egg-coated chicken pieces in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well to each bite.
Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the coated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for even cooking. Lightly spray the bites with cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness.
Air Fry: Cook the chicken bites in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure an even golden brown crust and fully cooked chicken inside.
Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty snack or appetizer.