Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe
If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s fun, flavorful, and just a bit addictive, let me introduce you to my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe! These bite-sized chicken morsels pack irresistible smoky barbecue flavor, gooey cheddar cheese, and a delicious golden exterior. They’re easy enough for weeknight snacking, perfect for parties, and guaranteed to disappear quickly wherever you serve them. With minimal prep and a quick whirl in your air fryer, they’re the ultimate solution for anyone craving comfort food without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is how the simple pantry staples come together to make something extraordinary. Each ingredient adds its own magic, whether it’s juicy chicken, melty cheese, or the kick of BBQ. Here’s what you’ll need, and why you shouldn’t skip a single thing!
- Ground chicken: The blank canvas for our poppers; it absorbs flavors beautifully and stays juicy.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a gooey, melty bite and that classic tangy richness.
- BBQ sauce (plus more for dipping): For bold, smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness—choose your favorite variety!
- Breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned): Give structure to the poppers and create a golden crust during air frying.
- Large egg: Acts as the glue so your poppers hold together perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that makes the chicken sing.
- Onion powder: Sweet, aromatic notes that round out the flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Delivers an extra hit of smokiness to complement the BBQ.
- Salt: Brings all the flavors into sharp, delicious focus.
- Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and warmth.
- Nonstick spray or oil: Keeps those poppers from sticking and promotes even browning in the air fryer.
- Chopped parsley (optional): For a pop of color and freshness when serving.
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it come to temperature while you prep the poppers. This jump-starts the cooking and ensures the poppers get their signature crispness right away.
Step 2: Mix the Poppers Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, shredded cheddar, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands or a sturdy spoon to gently mix everything together. The goal is even distribution without overworking the chicken, which helps your poppers stay tender.
Step 3: Shape Into Poppers
Grab about a tablespoon and a half of the mixture and roll it between your palms to create 1 ½-inch balls. Try to keep them uniform in size for even cooking. If things get sticky, wet your hands lightly with water or a dab of oil—it makes shaping much easier!
Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket
Lightly coat your air fryer basket with nonstick spray or brush it with oil. This ensures the poppers won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze later.
Step 5: Cook the Poppers
Arrange your chicken poppers in the prepared basket in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each one. Don’t overcrowd—they need those air currents to circulate! Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re ready when golden brown and their internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Transfer the golden, aromatic poppers to a serving plate, hit them with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you like, and don’t forget an extra side of BBQ sauce for dipping. Repeat in batches if needed until all the poppers are perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
How to Serve Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe
Garnishes
For an eye-catching finish, shower the poppers with chopped parsley or even a few thinly sliced green onions. Not only does this make your platter pop with color, but it also adds a touch of welcome freshness against the rich BBQ flavors.
Side Dishes
I love serving these juicy bites with classic picnic sides like coleslaw, crispy sweet potato fries, or a fresh corn salad. If you’re hosting a party, arrange them alongside other finger foods for a true crowd-pleaser table. A crunchy veggie platter with ranch dip is always a hit, too.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by skewering the poppers with cocktail picks, nestling them in slider buns for mini sandwiches, or serving them on a board with several dipping sauces—ranch, honey mustard, and extra BBQ of course! The Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe is a blank slate for all your serving creativity.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover poppers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them fantastic for lunches, snacks, or a quick protein boost during the week.
Freezing
If you want to plan ahead, you can freeze uncooked poppers on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be cooked straight from frozen (just add a few extra minutes in the air fryer) and taste just as delicious as freshly made ones.
Reheating
For best results, reheat poppers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also use the oven or microwave, but the air fryer is quickest and keeps the texture just right.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in place of ground chicken in this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe. Just make sure to use a blend with a bit of fat for juiciness, and follow the recipe as written.
What kind of BBQ sauce is best?
The choice is yours—use a sweet, spicy, or smoky BBQ sauce depending on your taste. I recommend a smoky or honey BBQ for families, while chipotle or spicy versions add a bit of a kick for adventurous eaters.
Can I make these poppers gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs and double-check your BBQ sauce for hidden gluten ingredients. This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe adapts wonderfully to most dietary needs.
Do I need to flip the poppers during cooking?
Yes, for the best golden and crispy texture on all sides, flipping halfway through is key. It only takes a second and makes a big difference in how they turn out.
How can I tell if the poppers are fully cooked?
The easiest way is to check that the internal temperature of the biggest popper hits 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, slice one open—there should be no pink inside and the juices should run clear.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a new go-to appetizer or party snack, I hope you’ll try this Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe. It’s quick, satisfying, and absolutely bursting with barbecue goodness in every bite. Your friends and family will be hooked—I can’t wait for you to share these at your next gathering!
Print
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 poppers (about 4 servings) 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers are a perfect appetizer or snack, combining the flavors of BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and ground chicken in a crispy bite-sized form. Easy to make and delicious to eat!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Poppers:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce (plus more for dipping)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving and Garnish:
- nonstick spray or oil for air fryer basket
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form Poppers: Shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch poppers using your hands or a scoop.
- Air Fry: Spray the air fryer basket, place poppers in a single layer, and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce for dipping and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Experiment with different types of BBQ sauce for varied flavors.
- You can freeze uncooked poppers and air fry them from frozen, adjusting the cook time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 poppers
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
