Introduction

These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are a crispy, flavorful snack that’s quick to make and perfect for any occasion. Coated in a savory ranch and Parmesan breadcrumb mix, they come out golden brown and tender every time. Enjoy them as a tasty appetizer or a protein-packed snack.

The image shows a white plate filled with multiple pieces of golden brown fried chicken tenders that look crispy and crunchy. Each piece has an uneven rough texture with a crunchy coating, and some pieces are sliced open revealing tender white meat inside. The chicken pieces are piled close together on the white plate. The background is a white marbled surface. 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 a spicy variation, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
Swap the panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
Mix herbs like thyme, oregano, or parsley into the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the chicken bites at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until crispy and warmed through. Avoid microwaving to keep the coating crunchy.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate filled with many pieces of golden brown, crispy popcorn chicken. Each piece is round or slightly irregular in shape, with a rough texture from the crunchy coating. The inside of some pieces is visible, revealing white, tender chicken meat. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well and offer a juicier bite. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

Do I have to use an air fryer for this recipe?

No, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken bites in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through.

Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 112 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites made with tender chicken breast pieces coated in a crunchy panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning crust. Easy to prepare and perfect for a quick appetizer or snack, these chicken bites are cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer, delivering a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken.

Author: Ella
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 Bites

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Breading Mixture

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

Coating

2 large eggs, beaten

Others

Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
Prepare Breading Mixture: In a bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning mix, and grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly to combine all the flavors evenly.
Coat Chicken Pieces: Dip each bite-sized chicken piece into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated for the breading to adhere well.
Bread the Chicken: Roll the egg-coated chicken pieces in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well to each piece.
Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated chicken bites in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray them with cooking spray to help them crisp up during cooking.
Air Fry: Cook the chicken bites for 10-12 minutes at 375°F, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to cook evenly. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through.
Serve: Remove the cooked chicken bites from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer or snack.

Notes

For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of panko to make the dish gluten-free.
Enhance flavor by adding herbs like thyme, oregano, or parsley to the breadcrumb mixture.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the chicken bites at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for a similar result.

Keywords: air fryer chicken bites, ranch chicken bites, crispy chicken appetizer, easy chicken snacks, breaded chicken bites