Description
Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets made by coating bite-sized chicken pieces in a spicy cornflake crust, air frying them to perfection, and tossing in a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Served with a zesty spicy honey mayo and garnished with sesame seeds, these nuggets are a deliciously addictive twist on classic chicken bites.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Nuggets
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups cornflakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
Hot Honey Sauce
- ¾ cup hot honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Spicy Honey Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
Garnish
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with aluminum foil or spraying it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Crush Cornflakes: Use a rolling pin or food processor to crush the cornflakes into small pieces. In a bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for the coating mixture.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of hot honey until smooth to make the egg wash.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each bite-sized chicken piece into the egg wash, then dredge it in the cornflake mixture, pressing down gently to ensure an even and crunchy coating on all sides.
- Air Fry: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 12 minutes, turning halfway if needed, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through.
- Make Sauce: While the chicken is frying, combine the hot honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Make Spicy Mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot honey, and sriracha sauce until smooth. This will serve as a spicy, creamy dipping sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: Toss the hot, crispy chicken nuggets with the prepared hot honey sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately topped with dollops of spicy honey mayo and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired, for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute cornflakes with crushed panko breadcrumbs for a different texture.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or sriracha to control the heat level.
- Ensure chicken pieces are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Make sure your air fryer basket is not overcrowded to maintain crispiness.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer to restore crunchiness.
