Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken

Try this quick and crispy Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken recipe for a delicious snack or appetizer! Bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a tangy BBQ seasoning and air-fried to perfection in under 20 minutes. Perfect for game days, parties, or easy weeknight dinners!

This recipe is for anyone who loves quick, easy, and delicious recipes. We’re going to be making some Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken. It’s so simple you’ll be surprised how it turned out!

A quick, simple dish that’s easy to whip up for the whole family. It also happens to be very healthy and tasty! This makes for an incredible appetizer, a quick lunch, or dinner! My kids love this, and since it’s cooked up so quickly in the Air Fryer, you can have this any time! A great thing since my kids tend to get hungry around 10ish!

If you are looking for some fantastic Air Fryer Chicken Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA, AIR FRYER KUNG PAO CHICKEN, AIR FRYER CLASSIC CHICKEN TENDERS (TENDERLOINS), and LEMON PEPPER AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Quick and Easy – Ready in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a last-minute snack.
• Perfect for Parties – Bite-sized and flavorful, these make a great appetizer for gatherings or game days.
• Kid-Friendly – The BBQ flavor is a hit with kids, making it a family-favorite recipe.
• Customizable – Easily switch up the seasonings or dipping sauces to match your taste!

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces to make tender, juicy popcorn chicken.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick of heat and complements the BBQ seasoning.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used to create a crispy coating for the chicken.
• Baking Powder: Helps crisp the chicken up.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the meat and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
• Tabasco Sauce: Adds a spicy kick and a hint of tanginess to the BBQ sauce.
• Egg: Helps to bind the breadcrumb coating to the chicken pieces, ensuring they turn out crispy.
• Ketchup: The base for the BBQ sauce, providing a sweet and tomatoey flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances the sweetness in the BBQ sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the BBQ sauce
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky and earthy flavor to the BBQ sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a savory and aromatic element to the BBQ sauce.
• Chili Powder: Provides a mild heat and an earthy, slightly smoky flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken

Step One: Season your chicken with salt and pepper.  Cut your pieces into 1-inch pieces. Then, in a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour and baking powder.

Step Two: In another mixing bowl, blend the buttermilk, tabasco sauce, and egg (combine well). Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, and shake it after you dip it in the mixture to get rid of the extra flour.

Step Three: Then dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture, shaking off the excess. Then return the mixture to the flour mixture.

Step Four: As you coat the chicken, either place it in an air fryer basket or Air Fryer tray (both should be sprayed with olive oil so the chicken doesn’t stick as it is cooking) Once your tray is loaded, be careful not to overcrowd the basket and spray it generously with olive oil.

Step Five: Set your air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, flip it, and cook for another 5 minutes. NOTE: Before flipping them, cot them again with a generous amount of olive oil spray.

Step Six: Mix the ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes in a small pan. Then add the chicken (cooked) to a large mixing bowl, pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and toss with tongs to evenly coat.

Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe Tips

• This recipe will work in any Air Fryer basket or Oven Model. I have also made these in the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex Plus, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and Mealthy Lid. The recipe will remain the same.
• Use Buttermilk Marinade: Marinating the chicken pieces in buttermilk adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
• Adjust the Spice Level: The cayenne pepper in the marinade provides heat. Adjust the amount according to your preference for spiciness.
• Even Coating: Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated with flour.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating your Air Fryer is essential to achieve a crispy texture.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket to achieve a crispy texture.
• Flip Halfway Through: Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides and become crispy.
• Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
• Choose Your BBQ Sauce: You can use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or make a homemade one for a personalized flavor.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy the BBQ Popcorn Chicken while it’s still hot and crispy.

Recipe Variations:

This is such an easy popcorn chicken air fryer recipe! I am going to share some of my favorite variations of a recipe. With all of the food allergies, I wanted to give you a few options:

The key is not to be afraid to experiment with ingredients and spices.

• Buttermilk: If you do not have buttermilk, you can easily change it for almond milk, milk, heavy cream, or even oat milk.
• Eggs: Allergic to eggs. Just use more milk in your mixture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Switch out to gluten-free or even KETO-friendly (low-carb option)
• BBQ Sauce: In a rush, use a bottled BBQ sauce and coat the chicken after cooking.

Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe Faqs

Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe? You can use boneless chicken pieces like chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

What can I serve with BBQ popcorn chicken? BBQ popcorn chicken pairs well with side dishes such as coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, or a simple green salad.

Is it necessary to marinate the chicken in buttermilk? While marinating the chicken in buttermilk is recommended for better flavor and tenderness, you can skip this step if you’re short on time.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free? You can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.

How do I reheat leftover BBQ popcorn chicken? Reheat leftover BBQ popcorn chicken in the Air Fryer for a few minutes to restore its crispiness.

Can I use an oil spray instead of brushing with oil? You can use an oil spray to coat the chicken pieces lightly.

How long can I store leftover BBQ popcorn chicken? Leftover BBQ popcorn chicken can be refrigerated for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

Equipment Used:

Instant Pot Vortex Plus: Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with built-in Smart Cooking Programs, Digital Touchscreen, Easy to Clean Basket, 10 Quart Capacity, and a Stainless Finish

Silicone Tongs: MJIYA Silicone Kitchen Tongs (9 inches), High Heat Resistant to 480°F, Stainless Steel with Non-Stick Silicone Tips (9 inches, Red)

More Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER DRY-RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS
• AIR FRYER BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH
• EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN KIEV
• AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN KEBABS
• AIR FRYER BBQ CHICKEN WRAPPED IN BACON
• EASY AIR FRYER PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

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