Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites Crispy and Flavorful

ByLayla September 23, 2025September 23, 2025

$- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for extra crunch) - 1/4 cup cornstarch - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds I love using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They are easy to cut and cook. Cut them into small pieces, so they cook evenly. For the coating, panko breadcrumbs give the chicken a nice crunch. If you can't find panko, regular breadcrumbs work too. Cornstarch is key for a crispy texture. It helps the coating stick to the chicken. The seasonings add great flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground ginger create a tasty mix. Black pepper and salt bring everything together. For the sauce, sesame oil adds a rich taste. Soy sauce gives it a savory kick. Honey adds sweetness, while rice vinegar brings a tangy note. Finally, sesame seeds add a nice crunch and look. Make sure you have all these ingredients ready. They come together to create a delicious dish that you will love. - In a mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, black pepper, and salt. Mix it well with a spoon. This mix gives our chicken flavor and crunch. - In another bowl, beat the egg until it is smooth. Set this aside for coating the chicken. - Take each piece of chicken and dip it into the beaten egg. Let any extra egg drip off. - Next, coat the chicken with the cornstarch mixture. Make sure each piece is covered well. - Roll the chicken pieces in breadcrumbs, especially panko. This step adds extra crunch and makes the bites crispy. - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This helps cook the chicken evenly. - Arrange the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave some space between each piece. - Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. This adds more crunch as it cooks. - Air fry the chicken for 10-12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. Look for a golden brown color and check that the chicken is cooked through. - While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. - Heat the mixture over low heat. Stir until the honey dissolves completely. Add sesame seeds for a nice touch. - Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the air fryer. Toss the hot chicken in the sesame sauce until each piece is well coated. - For a lovely finish, garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy these crispy bites! To make your chicken bites super crispy, use panko breadcrumbs. Panko gives a light and airy crunch. Regular breadcrumbs can make your chicken a bit dense. For even more crunch, spray a little cooking spray on the chicken before air frying. This small step makes a big difference in texture. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for the best results. At this temperature, your chicken cooks evenly and gets nice and golden. If you use larger chicken pieces, adjust the cooking time. Thicker bites may need a few extra minutes. Always check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving. For sides, pair your sesame chicken with steamed rice or a fresh salad. Both options complement the dish well. You can also serve it with a dipping sauce like sweet chili or extra sesame sauce. For a beautiful serve, arrange the chicken on a platter and sprinkle with chopped green onions. This adds a nice pop of color and flavor. {{image_2}} You can change the sauce for your chicken bites. Try teriyaki or sweet and sour sauces for different tastes. These options add unique flavors that can surprise your taste buds. If you like heat, add chili flakes or sriracha to your sauce. This brings a spicy kick that makes the dish even more exciting. Want to switch things up? Use tofu or shrimp instead of chicken. For tofu, press it to remove excess water before cutting. Shrimp cooks faster, so check them early. Adjust cooking times for these proteins to ensure they cook through without drying out. The method stays the same, giving you tasty bites no matter what. If you need gluten-free options, swap regular breadcrumbs for alternatives like crushed rice cereal or gluten-free panko. This keeps the crunch while being kind to your diet. You can also use low-sodium soy sauce. This swap reduces salt but keeps the rich flavor. Always feel free to adapt recipes to fit your needs! To keep your chicken bites fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This keeps moisture out and helps them stay crispy. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb extra moisture. This step helps maintain the texture. You can store leftovers for 3 to 4 days. To reheat your chicken bites, use the air fryer. Set it to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer. This helps them heat evenly. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure crispiness. This method keeps the original texture and flavor intact. Yes, you can freeze these chicken bites. To freeze, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. They can stay frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight or use the microwave. After thawing, reheat in the air fryer for the best results. To make these chicken bites gluten-free, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can find these in most stores. Look for brands made from rice or almond flour. For the sauce, swap regular soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. This way, you keep all the flavors without gluten. Yes, you can use chicken thighs. They add more moisture and flavor. Cooking time may change slightly. Thighs take a bit longer to cook, around 12-15 minutes. Cut them into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking. These bites pair well with many sides. Try serving them with steamed rice or fried rice. Fresh veggies like cucumber or bell peppers add a nice crunch. For dips, consider sweet chili sauce or a creamy ranch dressing. These will balance the flavors nicely. The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). This ensures it is safe to eat. You can also cut a piece open. The meat should be white and juices should run clear. You’ve learned how to make crispy air fryer sesame chicken bites. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and tips for a perfect dish. Remember to experiment with flavors, proteins, and serving styles. Storing, reheating, and even gluten-free options are all within your reach. Enjoy this easy, delicious meal any day of the week. Keep your kitchen fun and your meals tasty!$

Craving a tasty snack that’s both crispy and full of flavor? You’re in the right place! My Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites deliver that perfect crunch without the guilt. With easy prep and simple ingredients, you can whip up this dish in no time. Dive into my step-by-step guide, tips, and variations that will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred for extra crunch)

– 1/4 cup cornstarch

Seasoning Ingredients

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon onion powder

– 1 teaspoon ground ginger

– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sauce Ingredients

– 2 tablespoons sesame oil

– 3 tablespoons soy sauce

– 2 tablespoons honey

– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

– 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

I love using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They are easy to cut and cook. Cut them into small pieces, so they cook evenly. For the coating, panko breadcrumbs give the chicken a nice crunch. If you can’t find panko, regular breadcrumbs work too.

Cornstarch is key for a crispy texture. It helps the coating stick to the chicken. The seasonings add great flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground ginger create a tasty mix. Black pepper and salt bring everything together.

For the sauce, sesame oil adds a rich taste. Soy sauce gives it a savory kick. Honey adds sweetness, while rice vinegar brings a tangy note. Finally, sesame seeds add a nice crunch and look.

Make sure you have all these ingredients ready. They come together to create a delicious dish that you will love.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Initial Preparations

– In a mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, black pepper, and salt. Mix it well with a spoon. This mix gives our chicken flavor and crunch.

– In another bowl, beat the egg until it is smooth. Set this aside for coating the chicken.

Coating the Chicken

– Take each piece of chicken and dip it into the beaten egg. Let any extra egg drip off.

– Next, coat the chicken with the cornstarch mixture. Make sure each piece is covered well.

– Roll the chicken pieces in breadcrumbs, especially panko. This step adds extra crunch and makes the bites crispy.

Cooking in the Air Fryer

– Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This helps cook the chicken evenly.

– Arrange the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave some space between each piece.

– Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. This adds more crunch as it cooks.

– Air fry the chicken for 10-12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. Look for a golden brown color and check that the chicken is cooked through.

Prepare the Sesame Sauce

– While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar.

– Heat the mixture over low heat. Stir until the honey dissolves completely. Add sesame seeds for a nice touch.

Final Steps

– Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the air fryer. Toss the hot chicken in the sesame sauce until each piece is well coated.

– For a lovely finish, garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy these crispy bites!

Tips & Tricks

Achieving Perfectly Crispy Chicken

To make your chicken bites super crispy, use panko breadcrumbs. Panko gives a light and airy crunch. Regular breadcrumbs can make your chicken a bit dense. For even more crunch, spray a little cooking spray on the chicken before air frying. This small step makes a big difference in texture.

Cooking Times and Temperature

Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for the best results. At this temperature, your chicken cooks evenly and gets nice and golden. If you use larger chicken pieces, adjust the cooking time. Thicker bites may need a few extra minutes. Always check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving.

Serving Suggestions

For sides, pair your sesame chicken with steamed rice or a fresh salad. Both options complement the dish well. You can also serve it with a dipping sauce like sweet chili or extra sesame sauce. For a beautiful serve, arrange the chicken on a platter and sprinkle with chopped green onions. This adds a nice pop of color and flavor.

Variations

Sauces and Flavor Profiles

You can change the sauce for your chicken bites. Try teriyaki or sweet and sour sauces for different tastes. These options add unique flavors that can surprise your taste buds. If you like heat, add chili flakes or sriracha to your sauce. This brings a spicy kick that makes the dish even more exciting.

Different Protein Options

Want to switch things up? Use tofu or shrimp instead of chicken. For tofu, press it to remove excess water before cutting. Shrimp cooks faster, so check them early. Adjust cooking times for these proteins to ensure they cook through without drying out. The method stays the same, giving you tasty bites no matter what.

Dietary Adjustments

If you need gluten-free options, swap regular breadcrumbs for alternatives like crushed rice cereal or gluten-free panko. This keeps the crunch while being kind to your diet. You can also use low-sodium soy sauce. This swap reduces salt but keeps the rich flavor. Always feel free to adapt recipes to fit your needs!

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your chicken bites fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This keeps moisture out and helps them stay crispy. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb extra moisture. This step helps maintain the texture. You can store leftovers for 3 to 4 days.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat your chicken bites, use the air fryer. Set it to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer. This helps them heat evenly. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure crispiness. This method keeps the original texture and flavor intact.

Freezing Options

Yes, you can freeze these chicken bites. To freeze, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. They can stay frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight or use the microwave. After thawing, reheat in the air fryer for the best results.

FAQs

How do I make Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites gluten-free?

To make these chicken bites gluten-free, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can find these in most stores. Look for brands made from rice or almond flour. For the sauce, swap regular soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. This way, you keep all the flavors without gluten.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs. They add more moisture and flavor. Cooking time may change slightly. Thighs take a bit longer to cook, around 12-15 minutes. Cut them into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

What can I serve with my Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites?

These bites pair well with many sides. Try serving them with steamed rice or fried rice. Fresh veggies like cucumber or bell peppers add a nice crunch. For dips, consider sweet chili sauce or a creamy ranch dressing. These will balance the flavors nicely.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). This ensures it is safe to eat. You can also cut a piece open. The meat should be white and juices should run clear.

You’ve learned how to make crispy air fryer sesame chicken bites. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and tips for a perfect dish. Remember to experiment with flavors, proteins, and serving styles. Storing, reheating, and even gluten-free options are all within your reach. Enjoy this easy, delicious meal any day of the week. Keep your kitchen fun and your meals tasty!