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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Bites with Honey Mustard

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These crispy air fryer chicken thigh bites with honey mustard are ready in under 30 minutes, delivering shatteringly crisp chicken with a creamy, tangy honey mustard sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game day appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons (24g) cornstarch
  • ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Avocado oil spray (or olive oil spray)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons (60ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 4 cm).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until no lumps remain.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the bowl and toss gently until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer with space between them. Spray tops generously with oil.
  6. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes. Flip each piece, spray the other side with oil, and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is deep golden brown and crispy.
  7. While chicken cooks, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and salt in a medium bowl. Taste and adjust if needed.
  8. Transfer hot chicken bites to a large bowl. Pour honey mustard sauce over the top and toss gently until every piece is coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the cornstarch—it creates a shatteringly crispy crust. Pat chicken dry thoroughly to avoid steaming. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Spray oil, don’t brush, for even coating. Flip halfway through for even browning. Taste sauce before tossing and adjust sweetness or tanginess. Serve immediately after tossing to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, chicken thigh bites, honey mustard, crispy chicken, quick dinner, game day appetizer

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thigh-bites-with-honey-mustard/