If you’re craving crave-worthy bites that disappear in seconds, these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers are about to become your latest obsession. They’re juicy, flavorful, perfectly crisp on the outside — and made right in the air fryer for guilt-free snacking or weeknight dinners. Trust me, once you make a batch, you’ll be looking for excuses to whip them up again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Without the Guilt: The air fryer creates a golden, crunchy coating—no deep frying required, so you get all the texture with less oil.
- Juicy and Bold Flavors: Ground chicken (or turkey), smoky BBQ sauce, and a hint of jalapeño make every bite pop with savory, tangy goodness.
- Simple, Everyday Ingredients: No wild shopping trips—everything you need is probably already in your pantry or fridge.
- Perfect for Sharing or Meal Prep: These poppers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but they’re also amazing tucked into lunchboxes or stashed for easy snacking during busy weeks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers is how a handful of wholesome, fuss-free ingredients work together to build so much flavor and color! Each one plays an essential role—so don’t skip the sweet onion or almond flour, and let your BBQ sauce shine front and center.
- Ground chicken or ground turkey: Choose either; both bring moisture and a tender bite to the poppers (chicken for classic flavor, turkey for a lighter spin).
- Egg: Acts as the ultimate binder, holding all the ingredients together so your poppers don’t fall apart in the air fryer.
- Almond flour: Used twice—in the mix and as a coating—for a naturally gluten-free crisp, plus a subtle nutty flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory backbone without overpowering—essential in both the mix and coating.
- Sweet onion: Fine dice lets it melt into the chicken, keeping the poppers moist and gently sweet.
- Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning does wonders—don’t be shy but also taste your BBQ sauce before adjusting.
- Diced jalapeños (optional): If you like a little kick, toss these in for a burst of heat (totally adjustable).
- Compliant BBQ Sauce: Your favorite BBQ sauce brings smoky, sticky, lip-smacking flavor—make sure it suits your preferences, as it will shine through!
- Ranch dressing: For irresistible dipping. Homemade or store-bought—either is fabulous.
- Cooking spray: Prevents sticking and helps achieve that ultra-crispy exterior in the air fryer.
Variations
I absolutely love how flexible these little chicken poppers are! Don’t hesitate to make them your own—whether you’re customizing for dietary swaps, sneaking in extra veggies, or just shaking up the flavor profile, there’s tons of room to improvise.
- Cheesy Poppers: Mix in a handful of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack before forming the poppers for gooey, melty centers.
- Hidden Veggie Boost: Add finely grated carrot or zucchini for extra moisture, nutrients, and color (great for picky eaters!).
- Spicy Buffalo Style: Skip the BBQ sauce and toss your air fried poppers in buffalo sauce, then serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dip.
- Keto-Friendly Swap: Substitute pork panko for almond flour if you want extra crunch and zero carbs.
- Smoky BBQ Upgrade: Stir a pinch of smoked paprika into the coating or use a super smoky BBQ sauce for a deep, campfire-style flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers
Step 1: Mix the Chicken Poppers Base
Start by combining your ground chicken (or turkey), salt, pepper, garlic powder, sweet onions, and a sprinkle of jalapeños (if you want some heat) in a large mixing bowl. Stir together until the flavors are evenly distributed and it smells irresistible already! Now add in your beaten egg and almond flour and give it one last, thorough mix.
Step 2: Shape & Coat the Poppers
Using damp hands (to prevent sticking!), roll the chicken mixture into golf ball–sized poppers. In a separate bowl, toss together more almond flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder for your crispy coating. Gently roll each popper in the coating mix until thoroughly covered for that signature crunch we all crave.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then arrange your coated poppers in a single layer, leaving some wiggle room for even cooking. Air fry at 400°F for 13 minutes, flipping the poppers halfway and giving them another spritz of cooking spray—this is the magic trick for that perfect, even crisp.
Step 4: Sauce, Serve, and Celebrate!
As soon as the poppers are golden and sizzling (and irresistible-smelling!), toss them in your favorite BBQ sauce until each one is gloriously coated. Serve immediately with a side of ranch, crunchy celery and carrots, and watch them disappear. That’s how you make the best Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers
- Get the Perfect Ball Shape: Wet your hands slightly before forming the poppers to prevent sticking and achieve a smooth, even coating every time.
- Double-Coat for Extra Crunch: If you love an extra crispy exterior, roll the poppers in the coating, rest for a minute, and repeat—fantastic for bold texture!
- Keep an Eye on Spacing: Always cook in a single layer in your air fryer; crowding will steam the poppers instead of crisping them up.
- Choose Your BBQ Sauce Wisely: Opt for a BBQ sauce you genuinely love—the flavor shines through in every bite, so smoky, sweet, tangy, or sugar-free all work beautifully.
How to Serve Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers
Garnishes
For the ultimate finish, shower your poppers with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley, a dusting of smoked paprika, or even a sprinkle of crumbled feta for some salty contrast. A couple of sliced green onions add that irresistible freshness and pop of color right before serving.
Side Dishes
These poppers are fantastic with classic ranch and veggies like carrots and celery for crunch. For a more substantial meal, try pairing them with corn salad, a fresh cucumber slaw, or sweet potato fries—they soak up extra BBQ sauce like a dream!
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers skewered on toothpicks for a party platter, pile them high over a tangy slaw, or tuck them into lettuce cups for a fun, low-carb twist. They’re also adorable piled into bento boxes for lunch, or lined up slider-style in mini buns with slaw for a crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover poppers cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and ready for easy snacking, lunches, or salads for up to 4 days—and I promise, they’re delicious even cold!
Freezing
Want to prep ahead? Simply freeze the cooked (or even uncooked) chicken poppers flat on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months. You can reheat straight from frozen, no need to thaw!
Reheating
To revive that irresistible crunch, pop the chilled or frozen BBQ chicken poppers straight into a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes. You can also warm them in the oven—just avoid microwaving, as that can make them soggy.
FAQs
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Can I make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can form the poppers and keep them covered in the fridge (uncooked) for up to 24 hours before air frying. Alternatively, cook and cool them ahead, then reheat in the air fryer just before serving for fresh-out-of-the-basket crispiness.
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What’s the best way to get the crispiest coating in the air fryer?
The secret is a two-part approach: use almond flour for a gluten-free crunch, and always give the poppers a good spray with cooking oil both before and halfway through air frying. This ensures they crisp up beautifully without deep-frying.
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Can I use another type of meat for this recipe?
Yes! While ground chicken and turkey are both fantastic, you can try ground pork for juicy richness or even a plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian alternative. Just be sure to watch moisture levels and adjust binding if needed.
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What’s a “compliant” BBQ sauce, and can I use any BBQ sauce I like?
Compliant just means it fits your dietary needs—like Whole30, paleo, or sugar-free. But you can absolutely use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce! The flavor of the sauce is key, so pick one you love.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to dig into a batch of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers! Every crispy, saucy bite is pure comfort food magic—whether you’re hosting a party, tucking them into lunchboxes, or making a quick weeknight meal. Give them a try and let this recipe become a staple in your kitchen just like it is in mine.
PrintAir Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe
These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. Made with ground chicken or turkey, these poppers are coated in a flavorful almond flour mixture and cooked to perfection in the air fryer or oven. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce and a side of ranch for a tasty appetizer or main dish!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 Poppers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry, Oven-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Main Mixture:
- 2 lbs ground chicken OR ground turkey
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 sweet onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp diced jalapenos *OPTIONAL
Coating:
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Main Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions, and jalapenos. Mix well. Add beaten egg and almond flour, mix until combined. Shape mixture into balls.
- Coating: In a separate bowl, mix almond flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roll chicken balls in coating.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 400F. Place coated balls in the air fryer basket. Cook for 13 minutes, flipping halfway. Toss cooked poppers in BBQ sauce.
- Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 400F. Follow steps for the main mixture. Cook meatballs in oil on a skillet, then bake on a sheet pan for 15 minutes. Toss in BBQ sauce before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of jalapenos in the mixture.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the cooked poppers reaches 165F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Popper
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
