Description
Deliciously crispy and sweet-spicy Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets, air-fried to perfection and tossed in a bold hot honey sauce. Served with a creamy spicy honey mayo and sprinkled with sesame seeds for an irresistible flavor combination that’s quick and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Nuggets
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups cornflakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
Hot Honey Sauce
- ¾ cup hot honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Spicy Honey Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with aluminum foil or spraying it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Crush Cornflakes: Using a rolling pin or food processor, crush the cornflakes into small pieces. Transfer them to a bowl and mix in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to season the coating.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of hot honey until well combined. This will help the coating adhere to the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then dredge it thoroughly in the cornflake mixture. Press the cornflake coating onto the chicken to ensure even coverage.
- Air Fry: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. Air fry for 12 minutes or until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway if needed for even crispiness.
- Make Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, combine the hot honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Make Spicy Mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot honey, and sriracha sauce until smooth and creamy for a spicy-sweet accompaniment.
- Assemble and Serve: Toss the air-fried chicken nuggets in the prepared hot honey sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately topped with a drizzle of spicy honey mayo and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired, for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
- If you don’t have hot honey, you can mix regular honey with a small amount of hot sauce as a substitute.
- Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Leftover nuggets can be reheated in the air fryer to maintain their crispiness.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free cornflakes and soy sauce alternatives.
