Buffalo chicken meatballs are a delicious and spicy twist on a classic meatball recipe. These savory little balls of deliciousness are packed with the flavors of buffalo sauce and tender, juicy chicken, making them the perfect appetizer or main course for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game day party or just looking for a tasty dinner idea, these buffalo chicken meatballs are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Why You’ll Love These Meatballs
- Fast. A delicious main course or appetizer that is ready in under 30 minutes .
- Easy. Mix up the meatballs, pop them in the air fryer , and make a simple two-ingredient sauce for a simple bite almost anyone can make.
- Low Carb . Only 5 net carbs per serving.
- Gluten Free . These air fryer meatballs use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs for filler, so they are gluten allergy-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With only a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can make a delicious buffalo chicken meatball recipe that will tantalize your tastebuds. It’s one of our best air fryer chicken recipes yet!
Here’s what you’ll need to grab before you get started:
- Ground chicken
- Almond flour
- Milk
- Egg
- Buffalo sauce
- Chopped green onions
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
This buffalo chicken meatball recipe is so simple to make, you’ll want to add it to your weekly meal rotation.
Follow these simple steps for an air fryer meatball that turns out perfect every time!
- First, preheat your air fryer to 400F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, buffalo sauce, green onions, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix everything together until well combined.
- Next, shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. You should be able to make about 20-25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper and air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
- While the meatballs are cooking, make the buffalo sauce for dipping. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of buffalo sauce and 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until it’s hot and bubbly.
- When the meatballs are done, transfer them to a serving platter and serve with the warm buffalo sauce. You can also serve the meatballs with the buffalo sauce on the side for dipping.
Variations
- Switch up the protein. Use ground turkey instead of ground chicken for another affordable dinner option with the same cooking and prep instructions.
- Find a new filler. If you’re not counting carbs or concerned with gluten allergies, you can swap out the almond flour for breadcrumbs.
- Shake up the sauce. Make Buffalo Chicken Meatball Pasta by stirring your buffalo sauce mixture into your favorite marinara sauce for a spicy kick.
Why Are My Chicken Meatballs Mushy?
There are a few possible reasons why your chicken meatballs might be coming out mushy:
- You might be overworking the mixture. When you mix the ground chicken with the other ingredients, be careful not to overmix it. Overworking the mixture can cause the meatballs to become dense and mushy.
- You might be using too much filler. While almond flour can help hold the meatballs together, using too much can make them dense and mushy.
- You might be cooking the meatballs at too high of a temperature. If the air fryer temperature is too high, the meatballs can cook too quickly on the outside while still being raw on the inside, resulting in a mushy texture.
- You might be undercooking the meatballs. Chicken meatballs need to be cooked all the way through until they reach an internal temperature of 165F to be safe to eat. If they’re undercooked, they’ll have a mushy texture.
Why Are My Chicken Meatballs Tough?
Many of the reasons your chicken meatballs are mushy might also be the reason that they’re tough. Check out a few things you can change up if notice your meatballs are tough:
You might be using too little filler. Using too little almond flour can make them fall apart or become tough.
You might be overcooking the meatballs. Chicken meatballs should be cooked just until they’re no longer pink in the middle, but be careful not to overcook them or they’ll become tough.
What To Serve With Them
There are so many delicious options for what to serve with buffalo chicken meatballs! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing - These creamy, tangy sauces are a classic pairing for buffalo chicken meatballs. Serve them on the side for dipping or drizzle them over the top of the meatballs for a tasty twist.
- Baked potatoes - Buffalo chicken meatballs are delicious served over a bed of fluffy baked potatoes. Simply slice the potatoes in half, scoop out the insides, and fill the center with a few meatballs and a drizzle of buffalo sauce.
- Veggies and dip - Pair your buffalo chicken meatballs with a selection of crunchy vegetables, such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes. Not only will it give added texture to your plate, but it will help cool and cleanse your palate between bites.
How Long Do They Last?
Buffalo chicken meatballs will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored properly. To store the meatballs, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
You can also freeze buffalo chicken meatballs for longer storage. To freeze the meatballs, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat refrigerated or frozen buffalo chicken meatballs, you can air fry them at 350F for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also microwave them on high for 1-2 minutes.
It’s always a good idea to label and date any leftovers or frozen foods to keep track of how long they have been stored. This will help you ensure that you’re always eating fresh, safe, and delicious food.
More Meatball Recipes
Meatballs are incredibly family-friendly and can be incredibly versatile. To try some new and exciting meatball recipes your family is sure to love, check out the links below:
- Taco Meatballs
- Instant Pot Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Meatballs
- Meatball Casserole
- Swedish Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs | Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
For The Meatballs
- ▢ 1 pound Ground Chicken
- ▢ 1/4 cup Superfine Almond Flour
- ▢ 1/4 cup Whole Milk
- ▢ 1 Eggs
- ▢ 1/4 cup hot sauce
- ▢ 1/4 cup Green Onions
- ▢ 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
For The Sauce
- ▢ 1 cup hot sauce
- ▢ 2 tbsp Butter
Instructions
To Cook The Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, buffalo sauce, green onions, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. You should be able to make about 20-25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper and air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
To Make The Buffalo Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of buffalo sauce and 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until it’s hot and bubbly.
- When the meatballs are done, transfer them to a serving platter and serve them covered with the warm buffalo sauce. You can also serve the meatballs with buffalo sauce on the side for dipping.
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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs | Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
For The Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Chicken
- 1/4 cup Superfine Almond Flour
- 1/4 cup Whole Milk
- 1 Eggs
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1/4 cup Green Onions
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
For The Sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce
- 2 tbsp Butter
Instructions
To Cook The Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, buffalo sauce, green onions, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. You should be able to make about 20-25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper and air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
To Make The Buffalo Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of buffalo sauce and 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until it’s hot and bubbly.
- When the meatballs are done, transfer them to a serving platter and serve them covered with the warm buffalo sauce. You can also serve the meatballs with buffalo sauce on the side for dipping.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs | Air Fryer Meatballs https://twosleevers.com/buffalo-chicken-meatballs/
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your chicken dinners? Look no further than blackened chicken! This tasty and flavorful dish is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
Why This Will Be Your Favorite Way To Meal Prep Chicken
- Fast. Juicy, flavorful drumsticks that are ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Just season, spray with oil and toss the drumsticks in your air fryer. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
- Low Carb. Only 1 net carb per serving.
- Budget-friendly. An affordable way to feed a crowd without loading up on carb-heavy ingredients.
What Does Blackened Chicken Mean?
Blackened chicken is a type of dish where the chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, then pan-seared or grilled until the outside is crispy and blackened.
For this blackened chicken drumstick recipe, I decided to utilize my air fryer for a hands-free and mess-free dinner. I couldn’t have been any more excited about the results. It’s one of our best air fryer chicken recipes yet!
Does Blackened Chicken Taste Burnt?
Blackened chicken is cooked in a very hot pan or on a grill until the spices form a crust on the surface of the chicken.
The chicken is not actually burnt, but the spices give it a slightly charred flavor that many people find appealing. If the chicken is cooked for too long or at too high a temperature, it could potentially taste burnt, but if prepared correctly, the blackened chicken should not taste burnt.
What Is The Difference Between Blackened Chicken And Regular Chicken?
The difference is all in the seasoning! Blackened Chicken is the same cut of chicken as regular chicken drumsticks (or breasts and thighs if you choose that cut of meat) but it’s referred to as blackened chicken because of the deliciously seasoned crust that forms when the chicken is cooked.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken drumsticks
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Butter
How To Make Blackened Chicken
Here’s how to make blackened chicken at home in just a few simple steps:
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 290F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
- Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.
Variations
- Consider another cut. Are drumsticks not your thing? No problem. Season some chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs with the same seasoning blend and use my tips for air fryer chicken thighs or air fryer chicken tenderloins for cooking instructions.
- Make blackened chicken pasta. Prepare your chicken according to the instructions below and use it instead of shrimp for my Instant Pot Shrimp Alfredo recipe.
- Use it for meal prep. Make a double batch of chicken and portion it out in meal prep containers for an affordable and healthy weekday lunch on the go.
What To Serve With Blackened Chicken
Blackened chicken is a delicious and easy way to add some flavor to your dinner routine. If you’re looking for something tasty to serve alongside it, try one of these recipes:
- Rice - White rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all good options to serve with blackened chicken.
- Vegetables - Grilled or sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, squash, bell peppers, or onions are a healthy and tasty option.
- Salad - A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing goes well with the bold flavors.
- Baked potato - A classic side dish that pairs well.
- Corn on the cob - Grilled corn on the cob is a favorite that goes well with blackened chicken.
- Coleslaw - A refreshing and crunchy coleslaw can balance out the spicy flavors.
- Biscuits or rolls - For a more hearty meal, biscuits or rolls can be served on the side.
- Pasta salad - A cold pasta salad with vegetables and a light dressing is another good option.
How Long Does It Last?
Blackened chicken can last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. To store blackened chicken, place it in an airtight container or wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Salsa Chicken
- Chicken Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Blackened Chicken | How To Make Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Mexican Chili Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
- ▢ 8 chicken drumsticks
- ▢ 2 tbsp Oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 300F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
- Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.
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Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
