These Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer will be your new favorite chicken recipe. The crunchy cornflake coating gives them a fun texture, while the hot honey adds that irresistible flavor at the end!
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Enjoy these spicy chicken thighs any day of the week for one of the best chicken dinners ever! Easy to prep and you can either air fry or bake in the oven. You can serve it at a dinner party as an appetizer, slice it up for a simple chicken sandwich, or pair with some fluffy white rice for a filling meal.
If you love this hot honey chicken recipe, then you need to check out my Lemon Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, Bang Bang Chicken, or Viral Smashed Burger Tacos.
Jump to:
- Here’s what you need to make hot honey chicken thighs air fryer
- How to make hot honey chicken
- Substitutions
- Equipment
- How to store and reheat hot honey chicken thighs
- Top tips for success
- Hot Honey Chicken Thighs - FAQ
- Related
- How to serve Hot Honey Chicken
- Typhur Dome Air Fryer
- Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
- Typhur Sync Gold Dual Digital Thermometer
- Food safety
Here’s what you need to make hot honey chicken thighs air fryer
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- cornflakes
- paprika
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- avocado oil spray
- hot honey
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make hot honey chicken
These hot honey chicken thighs are the perfect chicken thigh recipe. It's crispy and delicious and the hot honey takes it to the next level.
Prep the breading station
Form into ball shape with your hands
Air fry the hot honey chicken
Drizzle hot honey while its hot
In the air fryer:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Cornflake Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the crushed cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Set Up a Dipping Station: In a small bowl, beat the eggs. In a separate bowl, place the cornflake mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken thigh into the beaten eggs, then press into the cornflake mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. Lightly spray with avocado oil on both sides.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is crispy and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Once the chicken is cooked, drizzle with hot honey and serve immediately.
In the oven:
- Prepare the Chicken: Follow steps 2-4 from the air fryer instructions.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: I'm using skinless thighs, but you can use skin-on chicken thighs for some crispy chicken skin. You can also opt for chicken breasts.
- Cornflakes: Try panko breadcrumbs or regular flour but it will not be as crunchy.
- Paprika: Use smoked paprika or even cayenne pepper for more heat and flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Onion powder works well here. You can even mix in some Italian seasoning for added flavor.
- Avocado Oil Spray: Any neutral oil is a good alternative. The spray is highly recommended to end up with an even yet light golden brown coating. It's easier to control that way.
- Hot Honey: Just mix regular honey with a bit of chili powder or red pepper flakes for a quick substitute. You can even make your homemade hot honey by mixing sweet honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and melted butter (optional).
Equipment
- Air Fryer - I love my Typhur Dome Air Fryer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Sheet pan if baking
- 3 Shallow bowls for breading
How to store and reheat hot honey chicken thighs
To store leftover chicken thighs, let them cool, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat the oven or air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Perfect for a quick snack or meal the next day!
Top tips for success
- Crush Cornflakes Finely: You can use a food processor or place them in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer or Baking Sheet: Make sure the chicken thighs are in a single layer and not touching. It helps the chicken get extra crispy.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) before removing from the air fryer or oven.
Hot Honey Chicken Thighs - FAQ
Honey hot sauce is a combination of honey, hot peppers (like jalapeños or habaneros), vinegar, and spices. This sauce has a nice blend of sweetness and heat, which tastes so good with juicy chicken thighs.
Pat chicken thighs with paper towels and apply a good amount of oil using a cooking spray. We’re also baking this hot chicken at a higher temperature to achieve that perfect crunch.
Yes, hot honey is usually infused with spicy ingredients, like chili peppers, to give it a sweet and fiery flavor. It’s perfect for drizzling on savory dishes or even desserts for a spicy kick!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
How to serve Hot Honey Chicken
As a busy mom, I tend to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a protein, side, and salad, or roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas for Hot Honey Chicken:
- Serve with rice and a side of Garlic Braised Kale.
- Pair with Garlic Fried Rice.
- Also, serve this with Asian Coleslaw as a refreshing side salad.
Typhur Dome Air Fryer
This is an amazing air fryer! There is no need to preheat, and it cooks chicken in less than 25 minutes. It is my go-to air fryer.
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Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
These Hot Honey Chicken Thighs will be your new favorite chicken recipe. The crunchy cornflake coating gives them a fun texture, while the hot honey adds that irresistible flavor at the end!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: makes 8 chicken thighs
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: american
Ingredients
10 chicken thighs (boneless skinless)
2 cups of cornflakes, crushed
2 eggs, whisked
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Avocado oil spray
Drizzle with hot honey at the end
Instructions
In the air fryer:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Cornflake Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the crushed cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Set Up a Dipping Station: In one bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, place the cornflake mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken thigh into the beaten eggs, then press into the cornflake mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. Lightly spray with avocado oil on both sides.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is crispy and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Once the chicken is cooked, drizzle with hot honey and serve immediately.
In the oven:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Chicken: Follow steps 2-4 from the air fryer instructions.
Notes
- Crush Cornflakes Finely: For an extra crispy coating, make sure to crush the cornflakes into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor or place them in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer or Baking Sheet: Make sure the chicken thighs are in a single layer and not touching. This ensures even cooking and helps the chicken get extra crispy.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) before removing from the air fryer or oven. This prevents overcooking while ensuring safety.
Typhur Sync Gold Dual Digital Thermometer
Don't do the guessing game! Make sure your chicken is fully cooked. I love using my Typhur thermometer, it tells me exactly when my chicken is done.
USE CODE: CARMEN10 to get 10% OFF
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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