These crispy honey BBQ rooster bites are baked, not fried, making them a lighter possibility. The coating stays crunchy beneath a sticky-sweet honey BBQ glaze that’s filled with taste. They’re the sort of snack everybody loves—good for sport day spreads and even a straightforward weeknight dinner.

I initially revealed this recipe in 2016 and have since added new images and extra success ideas, in addition to air fryer directions.
Hen fingers, or smaller “popcorn rooster,” is at all times a favourite, whether or not you’re serving it as a sport day snack, get together appetizer, or fast dinner. This model takes it up a notch with a candy and tangy honey BBQ sauce that soaks proper into the crunchy coating. They’re crisp on the surface, juicy inside, and don’t even want a dipping sauce (although you’ll be able to actually add one when you’d like).
Children go loopy for them, and adults respect that daring sweet-and-smoky taste.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Honey BBQ Hen Bites
- Baked, not fried
- Will be made within the air fryer
- Sticky-sweet glaze
- Crunchy coating created from corn flakes cereal
- Child and adult-approved
- Easy elements


Right here Are The Elements You Want & Why:
- Hen: Use boneless, skinless rooster breasts, and lower them into bite-sized items for fast, even baking.
- All-purpose flour: That is the primary layer of the coating; it helps the egg combination stick with the rooster.
- Corn flakes cereal: Flippantly crushed for a crunchy, golden coating that rivals fried rooster.
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika: Easy seasonings that add taste proper into the coating. The smoked paprika provides a delicate smoky depth that pairs completely with the BBQ glaze.
- Eggs and milk: Create the moist layer that helps the cornflake coating adhere to the rooster.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favourite model; it’s the bottom of the honey BBQ glaze.
- Honey: Provides sweetness and stickiness to the sauce.
- Ketchup: Rounds out the sauce with tang and further taste.
Plus, if desired, chopped chives for recent taste when serving!


Let’s Coat The Hen: Right here’s How
That coating on the rooster is simple, but efficient. It has 3 layers together with flour to assist the egg combination stick, eggs and milk to assist the crunchy coating stick, and crushed corn flakes and spices to coat the rooster. It’s a fast dredging station all working collectively!
Lower the rooster into bite-size items. I often use kitchen shears for this.
Toss rooster items in flour, then dip in egg combination:


Then coat generously within the corn flakes:


Prepare the coated rooster on lined baking sheets:


Bake or Air Fry
In contrast to fried variations (cooked in oil), these honey bbq rooster bites are baked within the oven till golden and crisp, often round 15-20 minutes relying on measurement.
You may also cook dinner the honey bbq rooster bites within the air fryer. Preheat to 400°F (204°C), prepare the items in a single layer, and calmly spray with oil. Prepare dinner for six–8 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket midway via, till golden and crisp. The rooster is finished when it reaches an inside temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Toss In Honey BBQ Sauce
After cooking, toss the rooster bites in a warmed 3-ingredient sauce: bbq sauce, honey, and ketchup. The sauce clings to each chunk, making them sticky, flavorful, and utterly irresistible.


Concepts for Serving
- Recreation day or events: Pile them excessive on a platter and serve with celery sticks. A wonderful alternative when selecting Tremendous Bowl recipes!
- Weeknight dinner: Serve with candy potato fries and/or roasted greens.
- Salads: Chop up and add to a inexperienced salad.
- Add to a wrap: Wrap up in a tortilla with crunchy lettuce and tomato, plus blue cheese or ranch if desired.
For those who love all issues BBQ, be sure you attempt my BBQ rooster pizza, too!


Extra Appetizers & Dinners
Description
These crispy honey BBQ rooster bites are baked, not fried, making them a lighter possibility. The coating stays crunchy beneath a sticky-sweet honey BBQ glaze that’s filled with taste. They’re the sort of snack everybody loves—good for sport day spreads and even a straightforward weeknight dinner. Air fryer directions included under!
- 2 kilos boneless skinless rooster breasts, lower into bite-sized items
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 5 cups (140g) corn flakes cereal, crushed calmly
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 giant eggs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
Simple Honey BBQ Sauce
- 3/4 cup (222g) your favourite BBQ sauce (I like Candy Child Rays Unique)
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1/4 cup (68g) ketchup
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line 2 giant baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Put aside.
- Place the bite-sized items of rooster in a big bowl. Add flour and stir to coat every bit. Put aside.
- Place the corn flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into a big bowl. Put aside. Whisk the eggs and milk collectively in a small bowl.
- This subsequent step will get your palms somewhat messy so have paper towels close by. Dip every bit of rooster within the egg combination, letting any extra drip off. Then generously roll within the cornflake combination, shaking off any extra. Place onto the ready baking sheet. Repeat with all rooster items.
- Bake for 18 minutes, flipping as soon as on the 9-10 minute mark. (Throughout this time, I make the sauce in step 6.) Take away from the oven and funky rooster for five minutes.
- Warmth the sauce elements in a small saucepan over medium warmth for five minutes, whisking sometimes.
- Fastidiously place the rooster bites into a big bowl. Pour the heat honey BBQ sauce on high and gently stir to coat. Serve heat.
- Leftovers maintain effectively within the fridge for as much as 1 week. Reheat within the microwave till warmed via.
Notes
- Make Forward & Freezing Directions: Put together the rooster via step 4. Refrigerate for as much as 1 day earlier than persevering with with step 5. You may also freeze the baked and cooled rooster earlier than tossing within the honey BBQ sauce. Bake frozen rooster in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 20 minutes or till warmed via.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper | Glass Mixing Bowls | Picket Spoon
- Plain Hen Bites: You may depart the coated baked rooster plain. Merely add somewhat extra seasoning (salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder) to the cornflake combination and depart off the honey BBQ sauce.
- Air Fryer: Skip the oven. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C), prepare the items in a single layer, and calmly spray with oil. Prepare dinner for six–8 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket midway via, till golden and crisp. The rooster is finished when it reaches an inside temperature of 165°F (74°C). Repeat till all rooster is cooked via.