Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe
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The air fryer makes the chicken wonderfully crispy while avoiding the mess and extra oil of deep frying.
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Buffalo sauce gives the sliders a spicy, savory kick — great for fans of bold flavor.
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They’re easy to assemble and serve, making them ideal for parties or casual meals.
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Perfect for a crowd: the recipe yields a larger batch (12 sliders), so you don’t have to make multiple rounds.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon buffalo sauce
1 teaspoon pickle juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
12 slider buns
1.5 cups buffalo sauce
Spray olive oil
12 pickles (optional)
Ranch dressing (optional)
Directions
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Using the flat side of a meat mallet, flatten the chicken breasts to about 1/2‑inch thickness. Cut each breast into 6 pieces (for a total of 12 pieces).
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In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, 1 teaspoon buffalo sauce, and pickle juice. Add the chicken pieces to the mixture, stir to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or overnight for a make‑ahead option).
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and baking powder. Add about 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to the flour mixture and stir until small clumps form.
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Working in batches, coat each piece of marinated chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, then transfer to a foil‑lined baking sheet while you dredge the rest.
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Preheat your air fryer. Once ready, spray the basket with olive oil. Add 4–6 pieces of coated chicken (depending on basket size) and spray the tops lightly with oil. Cook at 390 °F for 8 minutes. Remove from basket and set aside. Repeat until all chicken pieces are cooked.
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In a medium bowl, add the 1.5 cups of buffalo sauce. Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the sauce until well coated.
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Assemble sliders: place a piece or two of buffalo chicken on each slider bun. Add pickles and ranch (or blue cheese) if using. Serve immediately.
Servings and timing
Makes 12 sliders
Preparation time: about 10 minutes (excluding marinating)
Soaking/marinating time: 30 minutes (can be longer if refrigerated overnight)
Cook time: about 8 minutes per batch (time depends on your air fryer size and capacity)
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover cooked chicken (without buns or sauces) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, warm in the air fryer or oven until heated through — this helps preserve crispiness better than a microwave. Avoid freezing already assembled sliders to maintain the texture of buns, pickles, and sauce.
FAQs
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by combining regular milk with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic buttermilk’s texture and acidity.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes — chicken thighs work well too. They can yield juicier, more flavorful meat. Just adjust cooking time if pieces are thicker.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the coated chicken in a preheated oven at 375 °F until cooked through and crispy. You may miss some of the crunch from air‑frying, but it will still be tasty.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Internally the chicken should reach 165 °F (about 74 °C). If you don’t have a thermometer, ensure the chicken is opaque throughout with no pink color remaining.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes — use more or less buffalo sauce depending on how spicy you like it. You could also choose a milder or hotter buffalo sauce to match your preference.
Can I make sliders ahead of time for a party?
Yes. You can marinate the chicken ahead (even overnight). For best results, cook the chicken close to serving time so it stays crispy.
What kind of buns work best?
Slider buns are ideal since they’re smaller and portion‑friendly. But you can use small burger buns or dinner rolls if sliders are unavailable.
Can I add toppings like lettuce or tomato?
Yes — feel free to add fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, or cheese for extra flavor and texture, though this deviates from the “classic buffalo slider” style.
How should I reheat leftovers to retain crispiness?
Reheat in an air fryer or conventional oven at moderate heat until warmed — this preserves the crisp coating better than using a microwave, which can make the chicken soggy.
Are these sliders freezer‑friendly?
They’re best enjoyed fresh. While cooked chicken pieces (without sauce or buns) can be frozen, assembling, saucing, and freezing the complete sliders is not recommended because it affects bun texture and sauce quality.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a great way to enjoy the bold, spicy flavor of buffalo chicken in a lighter, easier-to‑make format. The air fryer gives you crisp, juicy chicken with minimal oil, and the buffalo sauce delivers a satisfying kick. They’re perfect for gatherings, game days, or simply a fun, flavorful dinner — especially when you want something quick but delicious.
