These bite-sized Sweet Potato Chicken Bites are flavorful, delicious, and cooked in the air fryer for a perfectly crispy—and healthier—alternative to chicken nuggets.
I have a confession: I bought an air fryer a while ago but only started using it regularly more recently—and now I’m hooked. It browns food nicely, cooks faster than the oven, and is easy to clean. My two-year-old loves nuggets, so I developed these sweet potato chicken bites as a healthier, home-cooked nugget alternative the whole family would enjoy.
I originally made these with my daughter in mind, but my husband and I devoured them too. They’re packed with herbs and spices, easy to prepare with a few simple ingredients, and naturally gluten-free. They can also fit paleo or Whole30-style menus depending on your ingredient choices.
Here’s What You’ll Need
- Ground chicken – used here to recreate nugget-style bites; ground turkey works as well.
- Sweet potato – finely grated by hand or processed in a food processor until fine.
- Almond flour – helps bind the mixture; other flours or breadcrumbs can be substituted.
- Fresh herbs – parsley and thyme are used here; if using dried herbs, reduce the amount by about half.
- Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper for balanced flavor.
How to Make Sweet Potato Chicken Bites
These are very simple to assemble. Combine ground chicken, finely grated sweet potato, almond flour, chopped parsley and thyme, and the seasonings in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly so the sweet potato and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Using a small scoop or a tablespoon, shape the mixture into small balls—then gently flatten each one so it resembles a nugget. This recipe should yield about 24 bites.
To air fry: lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and place the chicken bites in a single layer without overcrowding. Depending on your air fryer size you may need two or three batches. Cook at 400°F (about 200°C) for approximately 13 minutes, flipping them once halfway through, until golden and cooked through. No extra oil is necessary.
To bake in the oven: arrange the bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed lightly with non-stick spray. Bake at 400°F (about 200°C) for 25 to 28 minutes, flipping halfway through. If you prefer a crisper exterior, finish under the broiler for a minute or two—watch closely to prevent burning.
Air Fryer vs. Oven Baked
Both methods work well, but there are trade-offs to consider:
Air Fryer – Pros/Cons
- No oil is necessary for crisping.
- Cooks in about half the time of the oven.
- Typically delivers a crisp exterior every time.
- May require multiple batches depending on basket size.
- Easy cleanup.
Baking – Pros/Cons
- You can cook many bites at once on a single sheet.
- Won’t get quite as crispy as the air fryer without broiling at the end.
- Takes roughly twice as long (around 25 minutes).
- Also straightforward to clean.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Chicken Bites
These bites are great with classic ketchup, a creamy avocado ranch-style dip, or a spicy sriracha dipping sauce. They’re tasty on their own too—perfect for kids and adults alike.
How to Store and Reheat
Store cooled chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. To restore crispness, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 2 to 3 minutes or use a toaster oven until warmed and crisp. These bites freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw completely before reheating.
Hope you enjoy these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chicken Bites—if you try them, leave a rating or comment to share how they turned out!
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chicken Bites
Flavorful, bite-sized chicken and sweet potato nuggets cooked until golden and crispy in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)
- 2 cups finely grated sweet potato
- 2 Tbsp almond flour
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated sweet potato, almond flour, parsley, thyme, and seasonings. Mix thoroughly so everything is evenly incorporated. Use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to form the mixture into small balls, then gently flatten each into a nugget shape. Expect about 24 bites.
- Air fryer: Lightly spray the basket and arrange the bites in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for about 13 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Work in batches if needed.
- Oven: Place the bites on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment and bake at 400°F for 25–28 minutes, turning halfway through. For extra crispness, finish under the broiler briefly while watching carefully.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.
Notes
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. These can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw completely before reheating.
Nutrition (approx. per serving)
Serving: 4 chicken bites | Calories: 226 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.9 g | Protein: 14.8 g | Fat: 1.5 g | Saturated Fat: 0.1 g | Sodium: 277.4 mg | Fiber: 3.2 g | Sugar: 4.2 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.