Introduction

These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are a quick and delicious snack or meal option. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they are perfect for busy weeknights or game day gatherings.

The image shows several golden-brown chicken nuggets with a crispy, crumbly texture. One nugget is cut in half, revealing a thick white inside layer of cooked chicken, surrounded by a crunchy, fried outer layer coated in small, uneven breadcrumbs with some darker spots indicating well-cooked areas. The nuggets are piled closely together on a surface with a white marbled texture, giving a warm and inviting look. 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
1/2 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, double coat the chicken by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
Try substituting Italian seasoning for ranch mix to change the flavor profile.
Use boneless thigh meat for a juicier bite.
Serve with ranch dressing or honey mustard for dipping.

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 maintain crispiness.

How to Serve

The image shows many pieces of golden brown chicken with visible herbs and spices all over them, placed closely together inside a black air fryer basket with a mesh bottom. The chicken pieces have a slightly crispy texture with some charred spots and a glossy finish from the seasoning oil. The basket's black edges frame the chicken, giving a clear view of the seasoned, cooked chunks. The background is a white marbled texture. 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 or fully thawed chicken for even cooking and to ensure the coating adheres properly.

Can I bake these chicken bites instead of air frying?

Yes, bake them on a lined baking sheet at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through.

Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 55 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites, perfect as a snack or appetizer. These tender chicken pieces are coated in a savory ranch-seasoned breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, then air fried to golden perfection with a light, crunchy crust.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating

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

Batter

2 large eggs, beaten

Additional

Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
Prepare Coating Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning mix, and grated Parmesan cheese until well mixed.
Dip Chicken in Egg: Dip each bite-sized piece of chicken breast into the beaten eggs, fully coating the surface to help the breadcrumb mixture adhere.
Coat Chicken with Breadcrumb Mixture: Press the egg-coated chicken pieces into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the ranch-parmesan crust.
Arrange Chicken in Air Fryer: Place the coated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness.
Air Fry the Chicken: Cook for 10-12 minutes at 375°F, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping and thorough cooking until golden brown.
Serve: Remove the chicken bites from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.

Notes

Make sure pieces are similar in size for uniform cooking.
Use cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture without added oil.
Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even browning on all sides.
Check that chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
Great served with ranch dressing, honey mustard, or ketchup as dipping sauces.

Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Bites, Ranch Chicken, Crispy Chicken Appetizer, Easy Chicken Snacks, Air Fryer Recipes