Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Buffalo chicken meatballs are a fast, spicy appetizer made with ground chicken, panko, celery, carrot, and hot sauce. Air frying gives the outside a lightly browned texture while keeping the center juicy, and the meatballs cook in well under 10 minutes.

They are ideal for game day, meal prep, or a quick high-protein snack. Serve them with our air fryer sweet potato fries or alongside air fryer chicken wings.

Why These Chicken Meatballs Stay Juicy

The egg and panko hold moisture inside the meatballs, while finely chopped celery and carrot add flavor and tenderness. Mix the chicken only until combined to avoid a dense texture.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Mix the seasonings, vegetables, panko, egg, and hot sauce first, then gently fold in the ground chicken. Shape into small meatballs and air fry at 350°F until the centers reach 165°F.

Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip

A quick dip made from plain Greek yogurt, crumbled blue cheese, lemon, garlic, and chives balances the spicy meatballs with a cool, tangy finish.

Oven Option

Bake the meatballs at 400°F on a lined baking sheet until cooked through and 165°F in the center.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe Card

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Spicy chicken meatballs with vegetables, hot sauce, and creamy blue cheese yogurt dip.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup celery finely minced
• 1/4 cup carrot finely shredded
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/3 cup buffalo-style hot sauce

Yogurt Dip

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 oz blue cheese crumbled
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chives chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced

Method

 

1. Mix panko, egg, celery, carrot, seasonings, and hot sauce. Add chicken and mix gently.
2. Shape into about 30 small meatballs.
3. Air fry at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes in a single layer, until centers reach 165°F.
4. Stir together yogurt, blue cheese, lemon, chives, and garlic. Serve alongside the meatballs.

Notes

Oven option: bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until 165°F in the center.

Adapted from Tastes Better From Scratch. Sauce and dip proportions have been adjusted.

Recipe image used with permission from Tastes Better From Scratch.