Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Glaze

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Glaze
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized 1-inch chunks; 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice); 1 large egg, whisked; 1.5 cups Japanese panko breadcrumbs; 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray; Bang Bang Sauce: 1/2 cup Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, 1/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1.5 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce, 1 tbsp raw honey, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for serving

By Chef Emily Carter

• Published: Oct 05, 2026 (Updated: Nov 13, 2026) • ★ 4.9 (410 ratings)

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Golden crispy air fryer bang bang chicken bites piled high on a plate drizzled with creamy pink sweet chili sauce and fresh scallions

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

14 mins

Total Time

29 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

430 kcal

Cuisine

American

Craving restaurant-quality crunch without deep-frying in vats of oil? This Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken delivers ultra-crisp, golden panko-crusted chicken tender bites tossed in an addictive creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Inspired by famous pub-style appetizers, this recipe turns a cheat-day indulgence into a quick 25-minute weeknight dinner that the entire family will obsess over.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Maximum Crunch, Minimal Oil: Japanese panko breadcrumbs and high-speed air circulation create a golden, shatteringly crisp coating with just a light mist of cooking spray.
Addictive 4-Ingredient Sauce: Kewpie mayo, sweet Thai chili sauce, sriracha, and honey combine for the ultimate sweet-and-spicy creamy glaze.
Fast Weeknight Winner: Goes from cutting board to dinner table in under 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

Pair this crowd-pleaser with our Golden Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Cutlets or our fiery Sticky Sweet Honey Sriracha Cocktail Meatballs.

🍽️ Recommended Pairings & What To Cook Next

Looking to build a complete, crowd-pleasing menu? Pair this delicious dish with our other kitchen-tested favorites:

Try This Next: Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip (Ready in 25 mins)
Try This Next: Viral 'Marry Me Chicken' with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce (Ready in 30 mins)
Try This Next: Better-Than-Takeout Butter Chicken (Easy 30-Minute Recipe) (Ready in 30 mins)

For more delicious ideas, browse our complete collection of Dinner Recipes!

Game Day Favorite: Craving more party-ready finger foods? Don't miss our Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Wings!

Chef's Quick Poultry Pairings & Prep Tip (Updated 2026)

For versatile weekly meal prepping alongside this dish, try our foolproof juicy oven baked chicken breast recipe for 20-minute oven roasting, or make tender shredded chicken for tacos and bowls with our slow cooker crockpot shredded chicken or our speedy Instant Pot chicken breast recipe.

Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Glaze

★ 4.9 / 5 (410 reader reviews) Yield: 4 servings

Ultra-crisp panko-crusted chicken tender bites air-fried to golden perfection and drenched in homemade sweet chili, Kewpie mayo, and sriracha bang bang sauce.

🛒 Ingredients

1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice)
1 large egg, whisked
1.5 cups Japanese panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper
Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray
Bang Bang Sauce: 1/2 cup Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, 1/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1.5 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce, 1 tbsp raw honey, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for serving

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine chicken chunks, buttermilk, whisked egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
2
Step 2: Place panko breadcrumbs in a wide shallow dish. Dredge each marinated chicken piece thoroughly in the panko, pressing firmly so the breadcrumbs adhere evenly to all sides.
3
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
4
Step 4: Arrange breaded chicken chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket with small gaps between pieces for hot air circulation. Generously spray all tops with cooking oil spray.
5
Step 5: Air fry at 390°F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through and lightly misting with oil spray, until golden amber and an internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6
Step 6: While the chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
7
Step 7: Transfer the piping hot, crunchy chicken bites to a large bowl. Pour 3/4 of the bang bang sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat, reserving the rest for dipping.
8
Step 8: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over jasmine rice or crisp shredded cabbage!

💡 Chef's Insider Tip: For maximum crunch, lightly toast your panko crumbs in a dry skillet with 1 tsp olive oil for 3 minutes before breading the chicken. This creates that deep golden color and restaurant-level crispiness right in the air fryer basket.

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

430

Calories

38g

Protein

24g

Carbs

20g

Fat

Fiber

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💬 Kitchen FAQs & Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about making Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Glaze? Here are chef-tested answers, storage advice, and easy substitutions.

Can I bake this Bang Bang Chicken in the oven?

Yes! Place breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 16 to 18 minutes until crispy.

How can I reduce the spiciness?

Simply reduce the sriracha to 1 teaspoon or omit it altogether. The sweet chili sauce alone delivers wonderful sweet and tangy flavor with virtually no heat.

How do I keep the chicken crispy if making ahead?

Keep the air-fried chicken and sauce separated until ready to serve. Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 380°F for 3 minutes, then toss in sauce.

Can I substitute shrimp?

Yes, large peeled and deveined shrimp works amazingly with this exact coating and sauce; air fry shrimp for just 7 to 8 minutes at 400°F.

Recipe Created by Chef Emily Carter

Professional culinary chef and recipe developer with 12+ years of experience crafting foolproof family meals, comfort food classics, and healthy weeknight dinners.

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