Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs Recipe for Dinner

Crispy and bursting with flavor, these air fryer bang bang chicken meatballs pack a serious punch of deliciousness.

Spicy and creamy, the signature bang bang sauce transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.

We’ve crafted a recipe that brings restaurant-quality appetizers right to your kitchen with minimal effort.

The air fryer ensures each meatball emerges perfectly golden and tantalizingly crisp.

Tender chicken blends seamlessly with zesty seasonings, creating a mouthwatering bite that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve these crowd-pleasing meatballs at your next gathering and watch them disappear in minutes.

What Makes These Chicken Meatballs So Tasty

• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up these meatballs with minimal ingredients and simple mixing technique, making it a breeze for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Healthier Air Fryer Method: Enjoy crispy, golden meatballs with less oil and fewer calories compared to traditional deep-frying, perfect for health-conscious food lovers.
• Flavor-Packed Fusion: Combine the zesty bang bang sauce with tender chicken meatballs, creating an exciting Asian-inspired dish that delivers a punch of tangy and creamy flavors.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Excellent for family dinners, game day snacks, or casual gatherings, these meatballs appeal to both kids and adults with their irresistible taste and texture.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Bang Bang Meatballs

• Ground Chicken: Lean and juicy base for our meatballs.

• Egg: Helps hold the meatballs together.
• Ritz Crackers: Adds a nice crunch and helps bind the mixture.

• Garlic Salt, Seasoned Pepper, Parsley: Brings deep flavor to the chicken.
• Onion, Garlic: Provides a savory and aromatic base.

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy and tangy base for the bang bang sauce.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a sweet and spicy kick.

• Olive Oil Spray: Helps create a crispy exterior and prevents sticking.

• Parsley: Fresh green topping for a pop of color.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Adds moisture and extra flavor to the meatball mixture.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Blend Flavor-Packed Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, crumble ground chicken using a fork.

Sprinkle in garlic salt, seasoned pepper, and parsley.

• Finely chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Egg
• Crushed Ritz crackers

Mix thoroughly until all components are well incorporated.

Drizzle teriyaki sauce to help bind the mixture together.

Step 2: Shape Delectable Morsels

Craft meatballs using your hands or a small scoop, aiming for bite-sized rounds about 1 1/2 inches wide.

Carefully arrange the meatballs in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other.

Step 3: Create Crispy Exterior

Generously coat meatballs with olive oil spray.

Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and applying another light spray of olive oil.

This ensures a golden, crispy exterior.

Step 4: Verify Cooking Completion

After 12 minutes, check meatballs for golden-brown color and complete cooking.

Slice one open to confirm no pink remains.

If needed, continue air frying for an additional 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Greek yogurt
• Sweet chili sauce

Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious coating for the meatballs.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Gently toss cooked meatballs in the bang bang sauce, ensuring even coverage.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.

Serve piping hot and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Tips to Keep Meatballs Crisp and Juicy

• Mix ground chicken with egg and crushed Ritz crackers to keep meatballs tender and prevent dryness during air frying.
• Generously spray olive oil in air fryer basket and on meatballs to ensure they don't stick and achieve crispy exterior.
• Maintain 400°F for perfect golden-brown color and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee chicken is fully cooked.
• Blend Greek yogurt and sweet chili sauce for a creamy, tangy coating that complements the savory chicken meatballs.
• Use small scoop or consistent hand-rolling technique to create uniform 1 1/2-inch meatballs for even cooking and attractive presentation.

Storing and Reheating Air-Fried Chicken Meatballs

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cooled meatballs tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, lasting up to 3 months for future meals.
• Preheat air fryer to 350°F, arrange meatballs in a single layer, and warm for 3-4 minutes until heated through, maintaining crispy exterior.
• Place meatballs on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out.

What Pairs With Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs

• Pair Perfectly with Zesty Beverages: Crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the spicy bang bang sauce, balancing its creamy heat with refreshing acidity.
• Create Complementary Side Companions: Serve alongside coconut jasmine rice, which absorbs the sauce's tangy flavors and provides a smooth, mild counterpoint to the meatballs' bold taste.
• Match with Cool Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds to provide a fresh, crunchy texture that contrasts the meatballs' richness.
• Enhance with Craft Beer Pairing: Select a hoppy IPA or light wheat beer that can stand up to the bang bang sauce's spice while cleansing the palate between bites.

Meatball Style Combos You’ll Want to Try

• Gluten-Free Meatball Magic: Replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious texture.
• Keto-Friendly Chicken Bites: Swap Ritz crackers for almond flour, use a sugar-free sweet chili sauce, and increase egg content to bind the mixture, creating a low-carb alternative that fits ketogenic dietary needs.
• Dairy-Free Bang Bang Option: Substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or cashew cream in the sauce, ensuring those with dairy restrictions can still enjoy the creamy, spicy coating without compromising flavor.
• Spicy Protein Powerhouse: Add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture and increase sweet chili sauce heat level for those craving an extra kick of flavor and intensity in their protein-packed meal.

FAQs

• Are Ritz crackers necessary for the recipe?

Ritz crackers help bind the meatballs and add a subtle buttery flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with breadcrumbs or panko for similar texture and binding properties.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute. The recipe’s seasoning and cooking method remain the same, providing similar texture and taste with ground turkey.

• How can I make the meatballs spicier?

Increase the heat by adding red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture or incorporating sriracha into the bang bang sauce. Adjust according to your spice preference for a personalized kick.

• Is a meat thermometer recommended for checking doneness?

While cutting a meatball to check for pink is effective, a meat thermometer ensures precise cooking. Chicken meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs bring explosive flavor straight from your air fryer, delivering a crispy, spicy sensation. Creamy sriracha mayo and crunchy exterior make these meatballs an irresistible bite you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground organic chicken
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) crushed Ritz crackers
• 1 egg

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce

Additional Ingredients:

• Spray olive oil

Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/4 cup (60 grams) Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sweet chili sauce
• 1/8 cup parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and equipment, ensuring ground chicken is thawed and at room temperature.
2. Combine ground chicken with aromatics in a spacious mixing container, breaking meat into loose pieces using a fork.
3. Incorporate minced onion, crushed Ritz crackers, garlic, egg, and dry seasonings into the chicken mixture.
4. Gently fold teriyaki sauce throughout the blend, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
5. Shape the protein mixture into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, using steady hand pressure.
6. Arrange meatballs inside air fryer basket, maintaining space between each piece to promote even heat circulation.
7. Liberally mist meatballs with olive oil spray to enhance exterior crispiness.
8. Configure air fryer to 400°F and initiate cooking process for initial 6-minute segment.
9. Carefully rotate meatballs midway through cooking, applying additional olive oil spray.
10. Continue air frying until exterior develops golden-brown coloration and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
11. Verify doneness by slicing one meatball to confirm no pink remains in center.
12. Whisk Greek yogurt and sweet chili sauce in separate bowl until achieving smooth, consistent texture.
13. Delicately coat freshly cooked meatballs with prepared bang bang sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
14. Garnish with finely chopped parsley and serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and crispness.

Notes

• Cracker Texture Hack: Use a food processor to crush Ritz crackers for a more uniform, fine texture that blends seamlessly into the meatball mixture.
• Moisture Management: Adding Greek yogurt to the mixture can prevent dryness and ensure juicy, tender meatballs with a lighter protein profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace Ritz crackers with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to create a keto-friendly version without sacrificing binding properties.
• Sauce Customization: Adjust the sweet chili sauce ratio to control spice levels, making the dish more kid-friendly or extra zesty based on personal preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg