Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
It’s the time of year when I’m all about easy, fairly healthy dinners that I can make without any fuss on busy weeknights, and these air fryer honey BBQ chicken bites are ticking all the boxes right now!
These start with simple, well-seasoned chicken cooked until golden and juicy in the air fryer. While the chicken cooks, a quick honey BBQ glaze is warmed on the stovetop until smooth and glossy. Once everything’s ready, the hot chicken gets tossed in the sauce so it coats every piece. The result is sticky, flavorful chicken that comes together fast and works for everything from easy dinners to bowls, wraps, or casual snacking.
If you love this recipe, I think you’ll also enjoy my air fryer honey garlic salmon bites, air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer chicken fajitas, and air fryer honey BBQ chicken tenders!
Ingredients
The full recipe card with ingredients and instructions is at the bottom of this post, but don’t skip ahead just yet. The coming sections include extra notes, helpful tips, serving ideas, and more. A quick scroll now can save you time (and guesswork) later!
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs — Both work well; thighs stay extra juicy, while breasts keep things a little lighter.
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Olive oil — Helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning in the air fryer.
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Kosher salt — Brings out the flavor of the chicken without overpowering it.
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Smoked paprika — Adds subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with BBQ sauce.
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Garlic powder — Gives savory flavor without burning in the air fryer.
BBQ Butter Honey Glaze
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BBQ sauce — Use your favorite since it’s the main flavor; thicker sauces coat best.
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Butter — Adds richness and helps the glaze cling to the chicken.
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Honey — Balances the BBQ sauce with just the right amount of sweetness.
How To Make Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
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Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and air fry for 6 minutes. Shake the basket, then continue cooking for another 4–6 minutes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
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While the chicken cooks, warm the BBQ sauce, butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth and glossy, about 5–8 minutes.
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Transfer the hot chicken to a bowl and toss with the warm honey BBQ glaze until evenly coated.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F until warmed through and sticky again.
Recipe Notes & Tips
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Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks at the same rate in the air fryer.
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cooking in a single layer helps the chicken get nicely browned and stops it from steaming instead of baking.
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Thicker BBQ sauces work best for a sticky glaze that clings to the chicken.
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Keep the glaze warm so it coats the chicken easily when tossing.
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If your air fryer runs hot, start checking for doneness on the earlier side!
Serving Ideas
Serve these honey BBQ chicken bites with coleslaw and fries for an easy, classic combo that feels a little like takeout at home.
Turn them into wraps by tucking the chicken into tortillas with slaw, lettuce, or a drizzle of ranch.
For a rice bowl, spoon the chicken over warm rice and add fresh toppings like cucumber, shredded carrots, green onions, or avocado. Finish with an extra drizzle of the honey BBQ sauce to tie everything together! This is my favorite way to serve this one.
They’re also great served on their own as a snack or party-style appetizer with toothpicks.
Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb boneless & skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
BBQ Butter Honey Glaze
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 ½ tbsp honey
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and air fry for 6 minutes. Shake the basket, then continue cooking for another 4–6 minutes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, warm the BBQ sauce, butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth and glossy, about 5–8 minutes.
- Transfer the hot chicken to a bowl and toss with the warm honey BBQ glaze until evenly coated.
They’re quick, sticky in the best way, and flexible enough to turn into wraps, bowls, or a straight-from-the-plate situation. Make them once and they’ll quietly work their way into your regular rotation! And as always, once you try this recipe, please do let me know your thoughts. Your feedback helps me to make my recipes the best they can possibly be, and it makes my day to hear from you! You can leave a comment below, or tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet.
