Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe
These Hot Honey Chicken Thighs are crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked using an air fryer for a healthier alternative to traditional frying. Coated in a crunchy spiced cornflake crust and drizzled with sweet and spicy hot honey, this recipe delivers a delicious balance of heat and sweetness in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 10 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, whisked
- Avocado oil spray
Finishing
- Hot honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking the chicken thighs evenly and crisply.
- Prepare the Cornflake Coating: In a shallow dish, mix together the crushed cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful crunchy coating.
- Set Up a Dipping Station: Beat the eggs in one bowl and place the cornflake mixture in another bowl to facilitate easy coating of the chicken thighs.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken thigh into the beaten eggs ensuring full coverage, then press into the cornflake mixture firmly so the crust adheres well. Lightly spray both sides with avocado oil to help crisp the coating in the air fryer.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden, crispy, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Remove the chicken from the air fryer, immediately drizzle hot honey generously over each thigh, and serve warm for the perfect sweet and spicy finish.
Notes
- For the best crunch, crush the cornflakes into coarse crumbs rather than a fine powder.
- If you prefer less heat, adjust the amount of hot honey or use a mild honey instead.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking and crispiness.
- The recipe can also be baked in the oven at 400°F (200°C) on a parchment-lined baking sheet for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken thighs, spicy honey chicken, cornflake crust chicken, quick chicken recipe
