25-Minute Sweet & Sour Chicken Bites (Air Fryer) Recipe
Introduction
These 25-Minute Sweet & Sour Chicken Bites are a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic favorite using your air fryer. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re coated in a tangy sweet and sour sauce that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Step 2: Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Step 3: Dip each chicken piece first in cornstarch, then coat it with the beaten eggs.
- Step 4: Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Step 6: Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Step 7: Once cooked, toss the chicken bites in the sweet and sour sauce until well coated.
- Step 8: Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, you can add a light spray of oil on the chicken pieces before air frying.
- Try swapping sweet and sour sauce with honey garlic sauce or teriyaki for different flavors.
- Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad to make it a complete meal.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before preparing to ensure proper cooking in the air fryer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the chicken bites in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
Print25-Minute Sweet & Sour Chicken Bites (Air Fryer) Recipe
These 25-Minute Sweet & Sour Chicken Bites are a quick and irresistible appetizer or meal made in the air fryer. Tender chicken breast pieces are coated in cornstarch and egg, air-fried to crispy perfection, then tossed in a tangy sweet and sour sauce for a flavorful punch. Perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner or entertaining snack.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American-Chinese Fusion
Ingredients
Chicken Bites
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for air fryer basket)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle the chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the cornstarch, making sure they are lightly covered, then dip them into the beaten eggs to create a crisp outer layer once cooked.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil to prevent sticking and promote browning.
- Arrange chicken in basket: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate evenly around each piece.
- Cook the chicken: Air fry the chicken bites for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they become golden and crispy on all sides.
- Toss with sauce: After cooking, immediately toss the crispy chicken bites in the sweet and sour sauce to coat them evenly with the tangy glaze.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour chicken bites right away while hot for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the chicken pieces rest for 5 minutes before dipping in eggs and cornstarch.
- Make sure chicken pieces are of uniform size for even cooking.
- You can substitute sweet and sour sauce with homemade or store-bought versions based on preference.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken bites in a conventional oven at 400°F (204°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Use an oil spray for easier and more even coating of the air fryer basket.
Keywords: sweet and sour chicken, air fryer chicken bites, quick chicken recipe, crispy chicken bites, easy appetizer, tangy chicken, 25-minute chicken
