Description
These flavorful Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers are juicy, tender, and perfectly crispy on the outside, coated in almond flour and seasoned with garlic and onion. Finished with a smoky BBQ glaze and served with ranch dressing and fresh vegetables, they make a delicious and healthy appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Poppers
- 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
For the Coating
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, diced onions, and jalapenos if using. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the beaten egg and 1/3 cup almond flour to the mixture, stirring until evenly combined.
- Form the Poppers: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, mix together 3/4 cup almond flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat the Meatballs: Carefully roll each chicken ball into the almond flour mixture until well coated.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated chicken balls in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 13 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with cooking spray to crisp.
- Toss in BBQ Sauce: Remove cooked chicken poppers from the air fryer, toss in 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, and serve immediately with ranch dip and fresh vegetables like celery and carrots.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for chicken for a lower fat option.
- Adjust the level of jalapenos based on spice preference.
- Ensure the meatballs are evenly spaced in the air fryer for uniform crispiness.
- For oven cooking, follow the baking instructions provided in the article.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper (~22g)
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
