Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites are seasoned juicy chicken bites wrapped in crispy bacon. This tasty appetizer has a smoky sweet flavor, and is made in under 30 minutes.

You’ll fall head over heels in love with this delicious recipe, I guarantee.

With delicious bacon wrapped around perfectly seasoned little bite sized chicken pieces, each piece is a flavor explosion.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites make a perfect quick and easy snack, delicious appetizer, or the protein in an easy weeknight dinner.

This easy recipe is a spin on our much loved Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Air Fryer Steak Bites. Taking a classic and cranking it up a notch, by making it a bacon wrapped recipe.

We all know everything is better with bacon, especially these tender bites of perfectly seasoned chicken.

Faster than baking, the air fryer takes only 13 minutes of cooking time. Plus it also makes this a healthier recipe versus other cooking methods.

Serve these at you party or gathering, and you’ll have a fan favorite appetizer. Or impress your whole family by incorporating this into your menu.

Ingredients and Notes

Here are the 5 simple ingredients required to make this chicken recipe for the air fryer. It consists of the chicken, bacon and a three ingredienet rub.

As always, the printable recipe card is at the end of the post.

• Raw Chicken – use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Cut chicken into even 1 inch pieces.
  
  
• Bacon – each long piece cut in half
  
  
• Brown Sugar – Adds some sweetness. Both light brown sugar or dark brown sugar works for this recipe.
  
  
• Smoked Paprika – Give it a bit of a smoky flavor and contrasts the sweetness perfectly.
  
  
• Garlic Powder – For flavour and a bit of spice. You can use fresh mined garlic if you’d like.

How to Make Chicken Bites in the Air Fryer

1. In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Mix to combine.
   
   
2. Take a piece of chicken and toss it in the brown sugar mixture to coat all sides.
   
   
3. Place the seasoned chicken piece on the end of a piece of bacon and roll it up.
   Secure the bacon strip closed with a toothpick. Do this with all the chicken pieces.
   
   
4. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place each bacon wrapped chicken piece in the air fryer basket.
   
   Make sure they are in a single layer and have space around them.
   
   Note: you will need to cook these in batches.
   
   
   
5. Air Fry at 390 degrees f for 6 minutes. Check bites and turn if needed, then continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.
   
   I check after 4 and decide if it needs another minute or not.
   
   
6. When cooked, transfer to a plate covered with paper towel while you cook another batch
   
   Pro tip: don’t leave them on paper towel too long or they will stick.
   
   
7. Serve warm. Yet these are still tasty after they have cooled too.

How to Serve:

Serving as a Snack or Appetizer:

You have two options when serving as a perfect appetizer or snack.

The trio blend of seasonings make these bites sweet, smokey, with that wonderful garlic flavor.

That being said, they are so flavorful just on their own.

Yet you can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce as as well. I suggest doing this if serving at a part or gathering, as an option for everyone.

Choices for Dipping Sauce:

• Honey Mustard
• BBQ Sauce
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Ranch Dressing

Serving as a Protein for a Meal:

Whether it’s a family dinner, or a quick bite on busy weeknights, these make an excellent main for any day.

I use any excuse to make this, they have become my favorite among my air fryer chicken breast recipes. So here’s what we’ve served ours with:

• Pair with a tangy salad such as Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
• A slightly sweet salad such as Cucumber Pomegranate Salad.
• Serve with Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan.
• These Oven Roasted Red Potatoes make an excellent side dish.
• these Air Fryer Green Beans are so tasty. I also explain oven instructions as well.

Recipe Variations:

• Make it Sweeter: For sweeter bites, add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to the rub. Or combine them with a bit of barbecue sauce for a dipping option.
• Spice it up: Try adding cayenne pepper or chili powder for a bit of heat. 
• Bacon Options: Try this recipe using turkey bacon or maple bacon for a variation.

Storage

To Store Leftovers:

Place in an airtight container or cover well with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To Reheat:

The best way is to use the air fryer to reheat leftovers. This way they stay crisp.

To do so, cook for 2-3 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Or until they are heated through.

Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes, you can freeze this air fryer chicken recipe! Assemble the bacon-wrapped chicken bites, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer.

Place in the freezer until frozen, and then place all into a freezer bag. They will be good for 3 months.

Thaw frozen bites in the fridge overnight for easier cooking. Then cook as stated in the recipe.

More Appetizer Recipes:

• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Crispy Chicken Wonton Tacos
• Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs
• Salsa Devilled Eggs
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks