Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Air fryer honey garlic chicken bites are quick, easy, and incredibly delicious! This simple dish is sticky, crispy, tender, and juicy, ready in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknight meals.

This chicken recipe combines crispy, juicy pieces with a sweet and sticky sauce, making it a family favorite and a delicious alternative to takeout!

Cooking honey garlic chicken in the air fryer means it’s ready in no time and has fewer calories than traditional frying. Pair it with Instant Pot Rice, or Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Fried Rice, or a simple veggie for an effortless, quick dinner.

For even more easy air fryer chicken recipes, try my recipes for Air Fryer Seasoned Steakhouse Wings, Air Fryer Popeyes Fried Chicken Recipe, or Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings.

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, these chicken bites make the perfect weeknight dinner.
• Healthier Option: The air fryer method reduces oil usage, making them a lighter alternative to traditional fried chicken.
• Flavor-Packed: The combination of crispy chicken and a sweet, savory honey garlic sauce is irresistible.
• Family-Friendly: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults, perfect for satisfying the whole family.
• Versatile: Great as a main dish, appetizer, or snack, and pairs well with a variety of sides.

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need:

Remember the step-by-step directions and full recipe are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information. 

• Boneless Chicken Breast: Lean and easy to cut into bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking in the air fryer.
• Honey: Brings a natural sweetness to the chicken bites.
• Fresh Garlic: Provides a depth of flavor, adding zest and aroma.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami touch to the chicken bites.
• Cornstarch: Useful for thickening the sauce, you can also use potato starch.
• Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: Lightly coat the chicken before air frying, ensuring the bites achieve a perfect golden crisp.
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and make the other ingredients pop.
• Optional: Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a hint of heat.
• Sesame Seeds or Green Onions: Adding a burst of color and a mild, fresh flavor.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

Read on for our step-by-step instructions and tips for making this perfect weeknight dinner!

Step One: Prepare The Chicken Start by cutting the boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl, and coat the chicken with cornstarch, ensuring they’re well-coated.

Step Two: Air Fry The Coated Chicken Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). Brush the basket with little oil and put the marinated chicken in it (8-10 per batch). Brush little oil on top, or lightly coat each piece of chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. This ensures they get that desired crispy texture without becoming too greasy.

Place the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching or overcrowded. You might need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the cook time for 3 minutes on one side, then turn and cook for another 3 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat with other chicken pieces.

The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer, or instant read thermometer, to check the internal temperature, which should be 165 degrees F.

Step Three: Preparing the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce Whisk all the ingredients under the sauce and keep aside. Next, heat oil in a saucepan or large skillet, add chopped onions, garlic, and chopped red chili, and fry until the garlic becomes fragrant. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce has a glaze-like consistency. If you opted for red pepper flakes, you can add them now. Add green beans and red bell peppers. Stir fry it for a few seconds until the vegetables become tender.

Step Four: Coating the Chicken Next, add air-fried chicken, pour the sauce, and simmer for 5 minutes; mix all the ingredients until the chicken is evenly coated and the sauce thickens. Serve hot with rice sprinkled with sesame seeds and spring onion.

Step Five: Serving Transfer the honey garlic chicken bites to a serving plate. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, and serve while hot. Enjoy your delightful air fryer honey garlic chicken bites with your favorite side dishes or as a scrumptious appetizer!

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe Tips

• Use chicken thighs: Skinless Chicken thighs are more flavorful and moist than chicken breasts, making them an excellent choice for this recipe.
• Uniform Size: Ensure that all chicken pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overlapping or stacking chicken can result in uneven cooking.
• Shake the Basket: Halfway through the cooking process, give the basket a good shake or turn the chicken pieces with tongs.
• Sauce Consistency: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken bites without being too runny.
• Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
• Taste and Adjust: Before tossing the chicken in the sauce, taste it.
• Serving Immediately: The chicken bites are best served immediately.
• Pairing: These bites go great with white rice, cauliflower rice, or a fresh salad.
• Storage: If you have leftovers, store them separately – the chicken in one container and the sauce in another.
• Customization: Feel free to add other ingredients to the sauce, such as ginger or sesame oil.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Recipe Faqs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely! Chicken thighs can be juicier and more flavorful. Just make sure they’re boneless and cut into even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.

Is there a gluten-free option for the sauce? Yes, you can substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.

How long can I store the leftover chicken bites? Let the chicken bites cool to room temperature, and then place the chicken into an airtight container in the refrigerator; the chicken bites will last for 2-3 days. For best results, store the sauce separately and combine when reheating.

How do I reheat the chicken bites without making them soggy? Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through. This will help maintain the crispness.

Can I prepare the honey garlic sauce ahead of time? Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Warm it slightly before using.

Can I use pre-minced garlic from a jar? While fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor, jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch. The flavor might be slightly milder.

Is there a vegetarian alternative? You can try using firm tofu cubes or cauliflower florets as a substitute for chicken, following the same method.

Can I use other sweeteners instead of honey? Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives to honey, though they’ll impart a different flavor profile.

Is it necessary to coat the chicken in oil before air frying? Lightly coating the chicken helps achieve a golden crisp exterior. However, if you’re watching your oil intake, you can reduce the amount or use cooking spray.

Can I add other seasonings to the chicken before air frying? Certainly! For added heat, feel free to experiment with additional seasonings like paprika, chili powder, onion powder, or even some cayenne pepper.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Bombs
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Hand Pies
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup
• Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken Recipe

Don’t Forget To Pin!