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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers Recipe

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4.4 from 26 reviews

These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers are crispy, flavorful bite-sized meatballs made with ground chicken, coated in a seasoned almond flour crust, and tossed in tangy BBQ sauce. Served with a creamy homemade ranch dressing, they make the perfect appetizer or snack for family gatherings, parties, or meal prep. Whole30, Keto, Paleo, and dairy-free friendly, these poppers are quick to prepare and cooked to perfection in the air fryer or oven.

  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 18 poppers

Ingredients

Chicken Mixture

  • 2 lbs ground chicken OR ground turkey
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 sweet onion, diced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp diced jalapenos (optional)
  • Ranch dressing for dipping
  • 3/4 cup compliant BBQ Sauce

Coating

  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, diced onions, and optional diced jalapenos. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
  2. Add Binding Ingredients: Stir in the beaten egg and 1/3 cup almond flour into the chicken mixture. Mix together with a spoon until well combined and the mixture holds together.
  3. Shape the Poppers: Roll the chicken mixture into golf ball-sized balls, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
  4. Prepare the Coating: In a separate medium bowl, mix together 3/4 cup almond flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to create the coating mixture.
  5. Coat the Poppers: Roll each chicken ball carefully in the almond flour coating mixture until fully coated.
  6. Preheat and Spray Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  7. Arrange and Cook: Place the coated chicken balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Depending on air fryer size, cook in batches if needed.
  8. Air Fry the Poppers: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 13 minutes. Flip the poppers halfway through the cooking time and spray them lightly with cooking spray again to enhance crispiness.
  9. Toss in BBQ Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken poppers from the air fryer and immediately toss them in 3/4 cup of compliant BBQ sauce or a sauce of your choice.
  10. Serve: Serve the BBQ chicken poppers hot with homemade ranch dressing and fresh celery and carrot sticks for dipping.

Notes

  • For homemade BBQ sauce, try the linked recipe or use Oh So Sweet Super BBQ Sauce (Keto-friendly) or The New Primal BBQ Sauce (Whole30 compliant).
  • Wait to toss the poppers in sauce just before serving to maintain their crispiness and prevent sogginess.
  • These poppers are versatile and can be tossed in alternative sauces like Frank's Hot Sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
  • For meal prep, keep the sauce separate until ready to serve. Store poppers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • If the mixture feels too wet, add a bit more almond flour to help it bind properly.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Keto

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/air-fryer-bbq-chicken-poppers-recipe/