Description
Delicious and crispy Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets, perfectly air-fried and tossed in a sweet and spicy honey sauce, served with a creamy spicy honey mayo dip. This recipe combines the crunch of cornflakes with a flavorful hot honey glaze making it a delightful snack or meal that’s quick to prepare and perfect for sharing.
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
Garnish
- Sesame seeds (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, coarse pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the breading mixture.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs with 2 tablespoons of hot honey until well combined. This egg wash will help the cornflake coating stick to the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then dredge it thoroughly in the cornflake mixture, pressing down to ensure an even, thick coating on all sides.
- Air Fry: Arrange the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway if necessary for even cooking.
- Make Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, 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 the heat and simmer for 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and slightly thicken.
- Make Spicy Honey Mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, hot honey, and sriracha sauce until smooth and creamy. This spicy mayo provides a cooling contrast to the sweet heat of the chicken.
- Assemble and Serve: Once the chicken nuggets are cooked, toss them in the warm hot honey sauce until well coated. Plate the nuggets and drizzle or dollop with the spicy honey mayo. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately for a hot, crunchy, and flavorful experience.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by increasing or omitting cayenne pepper and sriracha according to your taste preference.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the nuggets in an oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-18 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Cornflakes should be crushed to a coarse texture for best crunch; too fine will result in less texture.
- Use fresh hot honey or mix chili flakes into honey if you cannot find pre-made hot honey.
