Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken with Double-Crispy Coating
Crispy air-fried chicken pieces with a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze that balances heat from red pepper flakes with rich honey sweetness. The double-dredge cornflake coating creates an extra-crunchy exterior while keeping the chicken tender inside. Perfect for game day appetizers, family dinners, or when you want restaurant-quality flavors without deep frying. This version uses the air fryer for a lighter take on the popular Nashville-style dish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup honey, not raw honey
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes or 6 thai chiles, minced with seeds
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic cloves garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 4 cups corn flakes
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour, or 1:1 gluten-freegluten-free flour blend1:1gluten-freegluten-free
use 1:1 baking blend
- 2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Combine honey, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and garlic in small saucepan
- 2
Heat honey mixture over medium-high heat until gently boiling
- 3
Remove from heat, pour into mason jar, and set aside to cool
- 4
Preheat air fryer to 370-375°F
- 5
Slice chicken into 1.5-2 inch pieces
- 6
Pulse cornflakes, flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, ground mustard, and paprika in food processor until breadcrumb consistency
- 7
Transfer cornflake mixture to medium bowl
- 8
Whisk eggs and water together in another medium bowl
- 9
Dredge each chicken piece through egg mixture, then cornflake mixture, then repeat for double coating
- 10
Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray
- 11
Place chicken pieces in basket without crowding
- 12
Drizzle chicken with oil and cook 4 minutes
- 13
Flip chicken and cook additional 4 minutes until golden and crispy
- 14
Repeat cooking process for remaining chicken
- 15
Toss cooked chicken with hot honey in large mixing bowl
- 16
Serve immediately
Tips
Use regular honey instead of raw honey as it heats and blends better with the spices for a smoother glaze consistency.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches if needed to ensure even browning and maximum crispiness.
Let the hot honey cool slightly before tossing with chicken to prevent it from becoming too thin and sliding off the coating.
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooked chicken up to 3 days. Store hot honey sauce separately at room temperature up to 1 week.
Prepare hot honey sauce up to 1 week ahead. Coat chicken up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate before air frying.
Serve immediately while coating is crispy. Pair with coleslaw, mac and cheese, or roasted vegetables.
Common Mistakes
Use regular honey instead of raw honey to avoid crystallization when heated
Don't skip the double-dredge to ensure maximum crispiness
Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket to prevent steaming instead of crisping
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
use 1:1 baking blend
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this in a regular oven instead?
Yes, bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Place on wire rack over baking sheet for best results.
How long does the hot honey sauce keep?
Store at room temperature up to 1 week in sealed jar. The flavors actually improve over time as spices infuse.
Can I freeze the coated chicken before cooking?
Yes, freeze on baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes.