Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Air Fryer Recipe

This buffalo chicken meatballs air fryer recipe features tender chicken meatballs in a rich and spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect served with rice, in a sub, or over fries!

With a mouth-watering blend of chicken, blue cheese, parmesan, garlic, onion, and buffalo sauce, these buffalo chicken meatballs air fryer recipe is the most delicious comfort food.

Whisking a little maple syrup and butter into the sauce helps to make it silky and thick, with a hint of sweetness to complement the spice.

You’ll love the texture of air fryer buffalo chicken meatballs, which are wonderfully meaty and incredibly tender. Air frying cooks nicely and quickly and at the same pace, sealing the chicken's natural moisture into the meatballs.

The naturally delicate flavor of the chicken is enhanced by the rich spiciness of the sauce, making this buffalo chicken meatballs recipe a fantastic taste combination! Try it served over nachos while you enjoy the game.

Ingredients to make buffalo chicken meatballs

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Ground chicken breast: The breast is the most tender part of the chicken, and ground chicken breast is even more so because grinding breaks up the fibers in the meat. Your butcher will be able to grind the chicken for you.

Egg: You use the egg to bind the meatball together. You can substitute it for buttermilk or ricotta cheese for a more decadent finish.

Garlic and onion powder: Garlic and onion powder are easy to mix into the meat and add a savory depth to the flavor. You can mince or grate fresh onion and garlic if you don't have powder.

Parmesan cheese or Parmesan-Romano cheese blend: Parmesan adds creaminess and zest to your chicken buffalo meatballs. You can also use Piave or Grana Padano.

Blue cheese (crumbled): Decadent, creamy, and with a robust flavor, blue cheese is a must for this recipe! You could also try using Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort.

Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs ensure that meatballs hold their moisture. If you can’t find seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, you can make your own by grating or blending bread and then adding a blend of Italian herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Buffalo sauce: Arguably the most crucial ingredient for this recipe! Try using extra hot buffalo sauce if you want more heat.

Maple syrup or honey (optional): A little maple syrup or honey adds sweetness to the buffalo sauce. You can also use agave or molasses.

Tools used to make the recipe.

• Oil sprayer bottle
• Mixing bowl
• Cookie scoop
• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer

How to make buffalo chicken meatballs in air fryer?

First, combine ground chicken, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, parmesan cheese, blue cheese breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well. 

Next, shape the chicken mixture into small meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket; spray with olive oil. Set the air fryer to 370ºF for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken meatballs reaches 165ºF shaking the basket halfway through.

Finally, whisk together the buffalo sauce, melted butter, and maple syrup ( if using), and set aside until the meatballs are done cooking. Toss the meatballs in the buffalo sauce, and serve it with blue cheese or ranch salad dressing, plus carrots and celery sticks if desired. Enjoy

Recipe tips

• Use a cookie scoop to shape the meat for perfectly round meatballs! It sounds odd, but it works.
• You can store the meatballs before tossing them with the sauce if you plan to make this in advance. They keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in the air fryer to 360ºF for 5 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through.

How long to cook buffalo chicken meatballs in the air fryer?

Cook your buffalo chicken meatballs in air fryer for 10 minutes at 370°F or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (you can check this by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the meatball).

What can be served with buffalo chicken meatballs?

• Instant pot brown rice
• Air fryer smashed potato
• Instant pot mashed cauliflower

Can you freeze buffalo chicken meatballs?

You can freeze these buffalo meatballs before cooking them, so they’re ready to go as a make-ahead meal or once they’ve cooked.

• To freeze before cooking: lay the meatballs on a baking tray and freeze them for 6 hours before transferring them to a freezer bag or container. You can freeze the buffalo sauce in freezer bags; just squeeze the extra air out. You can keep them in the freezer for 3-4 months.
• To freeze cooked meatballs: divide the meatballs and sauce into freezer bags into the portions you will likely want to serve and put them in the freezer. You can keep them in the freezer for 2-6 months. 

Always freeze food as soon as possible to avoid bacterial growth within 2 hours of preparation.

How to reheat buffalo meatballs?

The stovetop is the best method for reheating ground chicken buffalo meatballs in the sauce. Simply put the meatballs in a pan over low to medium heat and constantly stir for around 10 minutes until hot. 

However, if you are heating the meatballs and sauce separately, the air fryer is the best option because it keeps the meatballs nice and tender. Heat the air fryer to 370°F and heat for 5-10 minutes (longer if the meatballs are frozen).

Use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

FAQ’S

More Air Fryer Meatballs Recipes

• Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
• BBQ Meatballs in the Air fryer

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