Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Bites
Air fryer chicken bites are marinated in kefir, a super tenderizer, covered in Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, almond powder and thyme for a sweet and salty chicken bite!
These Air Fryer Chicken Bites are a hit with kids and incredibly easy to make! Think of it as a fun, bite-sized take on Chicken Parm, without the eggs, thanks to kefir, which helps the coating stick perfectly. They’re crispy, flavorful, perfect as a main dish, a party snack, or even as leftovers for wraps or salads the next day. The balance of parmesan and the sweet almond coating makes each bite irresistibly crisp and fun for the whole family!
Kefir the Super Tenderizer
The chicken was marinated in kefir, which tenderizes the meat twice! Thanks to its lactic acid and probiotics, kefir is a super tenderizer! It’s perfect for chicken breast because it helps to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. No Kefir at home? No worries! You can substitute it with buttermilk or plain yogurt.
Marinating time is up to you; you could go from 20 minutes to 24 hours. Preferably, overnight would be ideal; the meat will absorb the kefir flavour and be tender, not chewy.
The Coating
The magic lies in the coating for this recipe. It’s a mix of Panko (Japanese Breadcrumbs), grated parmesan, almond powder, and fresh thyme, and it’s divine! This salty Parmesan and sweet almond make a perfect duo. Again, you could substitute Panko for regular breadcrumbs, Parmesan for aged cheddar, and fresh thyme for dry basil or thyme.
Serving with
I’ve drizzled some lime over the Air Fryer Chicken Bites. But if you want a fun dip, my favourite dipping sauce is a simple tomato sauce! It would be all the ingredients of Chicken Parmesan reunited! Plus, it’s way healthier than mayonnaise or ketchup. It’s like a deconstructed Chicken Parmesan dish!
Coleslaw Sides Ideas
As for the sides, you can serve a lovely coleslaw, fries, creamy pasta or green salad. Here are some excellent ideas to serve these bites with:
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Bites
Ingredients
- 600 g boneless chicken breast approx. 3 breasts
- 250 ml kefir
- 100 g panko or breadcrumbs
- 75 g parmesan cheese
- 30 g almond powder
- 2 limes
- 2 tbsp olive oil spray
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or dry basil, thyme or parsley
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken into small cubes.
- Add to bowl with the kefir and some salt.
- Let marinate in the fridge, covered for 6-12 hours.
- Add the panko, grated parmesan, almond powder and thyme to a bowl and mix.
- Add a few chicken pieces to the dry mix and cover.
- Add to the Air fryer at 200°C (400F°) for 10 minutes. Ensure the basket is not overfilled; make a few batches if necessary.
Video
Notes
- Choose Your Dip: These crispy bites are incredibly versatile! Serve them the classic way with a warm tomato marinara, or keep it fresh and light with a zesty Greek yogurt dip seasoned with garlic and herbs.
- A Bright Finish: For a simple, “nomad-style” snack, a simple squeeze of fresh lime (or lemon) over the hot chicken really makes the parmesan and almond flavours pop!
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
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im obsessed with these Air fryer chicken parmesan bites!! my DD and I literally fight for the last little bite. thanks for the delicious recipe
Who won the fight?? Kidding… Glad you enjoyed it as much as I do!
Great timing! Yesterday I bought a huge tray of chicken breasts from Costco and then I was too tired to make dinner (classic move, I know!) However, I did start marinating them last night and am looking forward to an easy dinner tonight.
Well, look at that! Time to make a massive batch of chicken parm bites!
These were so delicious and the chicken was still tender thanks to the kefir! My boys gobbled them up!
So glad they enjoyed it!
I love bite sized crispy chicken in general, but the air-fryer aspect PLUS the cool flavouring-and-tenderizing aspect with the kefir really makes this work for me. Awesome idea, and great for an appetizer or small meal!
Kids love them little chicken parm bites!
These turned out fabulous, and I loved (and used) your suggestion for adding leftovers to a wrap! Little chicken parms — brilliant!
These go in everything, salads, wraps or alone. Easy breezy bites!