I love these air fryer buffalo chicken meatballs! They’re juicy, delicious, and a nice change of pace from wings while still getting to enjoy that same flavor profile. They’re perfect as a snack or appetizer for tailgating, game day, the Super Bowl, or as a meal anytime!
What Are Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs?
Air fryer buffalo chicken meatballs are a spicy, flavorful appetizer or main dish made from ground chicken mixed with seasonings and coated in tangy buffalo sauce.
These meatballs are cooked in an air fryer (instead of the oven, stove, or crock pot), which gives them a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy! It’s also a fairly quick method, so you can enjoy your meatballs in 30 minutes or less.
The buffalo sauce adds a signature heat and zest, making them perfect for game day, parties, or a spicy dinner option. Of course, you can tailor the heat to your personal tastes by using mild, medium, or hot varieties of buffalo sauce.
Serve them with toothpicks at a party alongside various dipping sauces, in sliders for the perfect light meal, atop salads to add protein to a healthier option, or loaded with melted cheese in a hoagie roll for a delicious meal.
Katie’s tip
If you have leftover rolls or some French bread in your kitchen, you can also make my Buffalo Chicken Garlic Bread as another game day appetizer!
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Ingredients Needed
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning (not dip mix)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot), divided
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can also use ¾ cup of regular breadcrumbs instead of panko. I really like ranch seasoned panko for this recipe, but regular works totally fine
- If you don’t have ranch seasoning, you can use 1 Tbsp ranch dressing instead, or make your own seasoning blend (about ½ tsp each) of garlic powder, onion powder, and various herbs like dill, oregano, and parsley (or your favorites)
- The cheddar can be swapped for Monterey jack or mozzarella cheese if preferred
- Use a wing sauce heat level (from mild to hot) to adjust the overall heat level of the dish
- Garnishes are optional, but can include sliced green onions, blue cheese crumbles, or a drizzle of ranch dressing!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, panko bread crumbs, beaten egg, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, ¼ cup of the wing sauce, salt, and pepper, and stir until well combined
- Roll into 1” balls using your hands (a cookie scoop or Tablespoon size measuring spoon can be helpful to portion if you have one). The mixture will be soft – that’s normal! It will firm up as it cooks. You should have approximately 24 meatballs once you’re done
- Place the meatballs into your air fryer basket or rack in a single layer with air space between them. You can spray the basket with nonstick spray or use perforated parchment for easier cleanup, if desired. Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 8 minutes, or until the center reaches 165°F. Times can vary between different air fryers and the size of your meatballs, so adjust as needed
- Toss with the extra ¼ cup buffalo sauce, then top with a drizzle of ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles, or sliced green onions if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Alternate Oven Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- Place meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet with space between each one
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until 165°F in the center
What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Crudites
- Carrot and Celery Sticks: Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing to cool the heat from the buffalo sauce
Side Dishes
- Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mash: A creamy and comforting side to balance the spice!
- Rice: Use white, brown, or seasoned rice for a simple yet satisfying pairing (or to create a rice bowl featuring the meatballs as a lean protein)!
Creative Serving Ideas
- Sliders or Wraps: Use the meatballs as a filling, paired with coleslaw for added crunch and flavor. You can also use lettuce wraps for a low carb option!
- Green Salad: Top a crisp salad with meatballs and drizzle with ranch or buffalo sauce for a lighter option
- Hoagie Rolls. Add meatballs to a split hoagie roll, then add shredded mozzarella cheese to the top and broil until melted for a hearty meal option! Also check out my Air Fryer Meatball Sub recipe for an air fryer preparation
Drink Pairings
- Beer: Opt for a light lager, wheat beer, or IPA to complement the buffalo sauce. My easy Beermosa Recipe is a great option!
- Cocktails: A margarita or a bloody mary enhances the spicy flavors. Try my Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita for a little extra kick!
- Non-Alcoholic Options: Serve with iced tea, lemonade, or sparkling water for a refreshing contrast
Recipe FAQs
How Do You Know When Chicken Meatballs Are Done?
Chicken meatballs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), measured using a meat thermometer.
They should also be firm to the touch and no longer pink inside.
Why Are My Chicken Meatballs Mushy?
Mushy meatballs can result from adding too much binder, such as breadcrumbs or eggs.
To prevent this, use the correct ratio of ingredients, avoid overmixing, and ensure the meatballs are formed gently without compressing them too much.
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, buffalo chicken meatballs can be made ahead. Form the meatballs, refrigerate for up to a day, or freeze them uncooked for longer storage.
Reheat cooked meatballs in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes before serving.
Can I Use Ground Beef Or Turkey?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or beef can be substituted for chicken.
Note that using ground turkey may require extra seasoning or binder since it is leaner, while beef will produce a richer flavor and slightly different texture.
Tips For the Best Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- You do not need to flip the meatballs during cooking – they’ll cook through perfectly. However, the bottoms will be slightly less brown than the top, so you can flip them if you want it more even
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe, and my meatballs were perfect after 8 minutes total cooking (verified via thermometer). Other air fryers and meatball sizes will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust for your personal setup
- My 8-qt air fryer can cook about 18 meatballs at a time comfortably. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in more batches. Reduce cooking time to 5 minutes to start for later batches to account for the warmer starting temperature. Store already cooked meatballs covered in foil to keep warm while you finish the rest
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer term storage, you can also freeze chicken meatballs (either before or after cooking). Freeze them on a sheet tray individually, then store in a freezer safe bag for 2-3 months
- To reheat chicken meatballs in the air fryer, use a lower temperature of 350°F for 3-4 minutes, until they reach 165°F again in the center. Times will vary between air fryers and based on the size of your specific meatballs, so adjust in small increments as needed
More Air Fryer Meatball Recipes
- Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs
- Air Fryer Greek Meatballs
- Meatball Sub on a Stick
Final Thoughts
These easy air fryer buffalo chicken meatballs are one of my favorite party appetizers! They’re perfect for game day, the Super Bowl, tailgating, or entertaining any time of year.
You can customize them to your liking with different buffalo sauces to change the spice level. Plus, these meatballs can be served a lot of different ways, like solo with dipping sauces, on sliders or subs, or even in a salad or rice bowl for a healthier presentation.
They’re a great way to enjoy all the flavors of your favorite chicken wings without the mess and fuss (or bones)! Of course, I do still love a classic wing too – check out my Air Fryer Honey Sriracha Wings for a great recipe!
Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (divided)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (using only half the wing sauce – ¼ cup) until well mixed1 pound ground chicken, ½ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning, ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup buffalo wing sauce, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Roll into 1” balls. The mixture will be soft; it will firm as it cooks. You should have approximately 24 meatballs
- Place the meatballs into your air fryer basket or rack in a single layer with air space between them. Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 8 minutes, or until the center reaches 165°F. Times can vary between different air fryers and the size of your meatballs, so adjust as needed
- Toss with the extra ¼ cup buffalo sauce, then with other toppings if desired (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
- You can also use ¾ cup of regular breadcrumbs instead of panko
- If you don’t have ranch seasoning, you can use 1 Tbsp ranch dressing instead
- The cheddar can be swapped for Monterey jack or mozzarella cheese if preferred
- Use a wing sauce heat level (from mild to hot) to adjust the overall heat level of the dish
- Garnishes can include sliced green onions, blue cheese crumbles, or a drizzle of ranch dressing
- You do not need to flip the meatballs during cooking. However, the bottoms will be slightly less brown than the top, so you can flip them if preferred
- I do not preheat my Ninja air fryer for this recipe, and my meatballs were perfect after 8 minutes total cooking (verified via thermometer). Other air fryers and meatball sizes will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust for your personal setup
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces, toppings, or sides added, size of meatballs, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
