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Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Bites
A quick and easy snack for the kids (and big kids, let’s be honest). Instead of paying ridiculous money for this at a fast-food chain, make your own using a secret ingredient – rice pops cereal!
SERVES
4
CALORIES
396
COOKING TIME
15 mins
DIFFICULTY
simple
How long does it take to cook in the air fryer?
Cook for 8–10 minutes at 200°C, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crisping.
Can I use frozen popcorn chicken?
Frozen chicken can go straight into the air fryer. Add an extra 1–2 minutes if needed to make sure it’s heated through and crispy.
Can I make homemade popcorn chicken?
Absolutely – coat bite-sized chicken pieces in flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs or panko. Spray lightly with oil before air frying for the best crunch.
Can I make this fakeaway healthier?
Air frying uses far less oil than traditional frying, and you can use lean chicken breast and wholemeal breadcrumbs for a lighter version.
What dips go well with popcorn chicken?
Try ketchup, BBQ sauce, sweet chilli, or garlic mayo. Homemade dips make it feel even more like a fakeaway treat.
Can I reheat popcorn chicken in the air fryer?
Reheat for 3–4 minutes at 180°C until piping hot and crispy again.
Can I make it spicy?
Add paprika, cayenne, or chilli powder to the breadcrumb coating for a kick.
Can I freeze homemade popcorn chicken?
Freeze the uncooked coated chicken bites in a single layer, then cook from frozen in the air fryer when needed.
And for more healthy fakeaway recipes like this, you can check out:
- Air Fryer Chicken & Veg Kebabs
- Air Fryer Stuffed-Crust Meat Feast Pizza
- Slow Cooker NYC Spaghetti & Meatballs
- Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Curry
Or, you can pick up a copy of my brand new book, Healthy Fakeaways on Amazon!
Method
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Line a baking tray that fits the air fryer with baking paper.
Step 2
Blitz the rice pops cereal, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder and black pepper in a food processor. Add the olive oil, blitz again, and then spread on a plate. Beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl.
Step 3
Dip the chicken chunks into the egg mixture, then into the crispy mixture to coat, and place on the lined baking tray. Pop the baking tray into the air fryer and cook for 10–12 minutes until nice and golden.
Step 4
Serve with gravy for a quick snack, or serve with some chips and veggies for a complete meal (perfect for kids!)
Ingredients
100g rice pops cereal
50g Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs
1 tbsp semi-skimmed milk
4 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
To serve:
gravy
chips or veggies
