Description
This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Poppers recipe offers a delicious, healthy twist on classic chicken bites, using ground poultry mixed with seasonings and coated in a crispy almond flour crust. Perfect for quick snacks, parties, or family dinners, these poppers are infused with smoky BBQ flavor and served with homemade ranch and fresh veggies for a satisfying meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
Coating
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken or turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, diced onions, and jalapenos if using. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
- Add eggs and almond flour: Stir in the beaten egg and 1/3 cup almond flour until the mixture is fully combined and cohesive.
- Form the balls: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized portions, about 18 in total, and place aside.
- Prepare the coating: In a separate bowl, mix together 3/4 cup almond flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat the balls: Carefully roll each meatball into the almond flour mixture until evenly coated, then place onto a plate or tray.
- Cook in the air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then arrange the coated meatballs in a single layer without overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 13 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
- Finish and serve: Remove cooked poppers from the air fryer, toss in the BBQ sauce until well coated, and serve immediately with homemade ranch dressing and fresh celery and carrots.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or any lean poultry.
- Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less jalapenos according to taste.
- For oven baking, cook in a preheated 400°F oven for about 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve with fresh vegetables for a complete and nutritious snack or meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper (about 50g)
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
