Tender, juicy chicken meatballs coated in a smooth, tangy Buffalo sauce - this recipe delivers all the flavor of classic wings in a lighter, easier-to-make form.
The air fryer cooks the meatballs evenly and locks in moisture, while the creamy sauce, flavored with Frank's Red Hot sauce, balances heat with a touch of richness.
Serve the meatballs as a party or game day appetizer with toothpicks for easy grabbing or for dinner, spoon them over rice with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables - and yes, there's plenty of sauce to drizzle over everything.
However you serve them, these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs bring big flavor to small-space cooking.
If you love meatballs as much as I do, you should try this One Pan Meatball Casserole. It combines juicy, tender meatballs with light and fluffy mashed potatoes, all topped with tangy marinara and plenty of gooey cheese.
Why I Love This Recipe
I've always been a sucker for Buffalo wings, but once we started traveling full-time, deep-frying just wasn't an option.
That's where this recipe came from: finding a way to get that same bold Buffalo flavor in a version that fits our setup. The air fryer keeps things simple, the sauce comes together in minutes, and cleanup is a breeze.
Let's Gather up the Ingredients
Organizing all of your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
Just a handful of simple ingredients come together to make these Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned:
- Green onions: Finish with a little freshness and color.
- Ground chicken: Lean, mild, and soaks up flavor beautifully.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and keeps the meatballs tender.
- Ritz crackers: Buttery and slightly salty, they give the meatballs a soft texture and subtle richness.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds savory depth and a hint of saltiness.
- Frank's Red Hot Sauce: The classic Buffalo backbone - tangy, vinegary, and bright.
- Butter + heavy cream: Combine to turn the hot sauce into a smooth, velvety coating.
- Garlic, dill, chili powder, sugar: Balance the spice and build layers of flavor.
- Salt + black pepper: Round out the seasoning.
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 350℉. Lightly spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with a perforated parchment liner designed for air fryers.
In a large mixing bowl, combine egg, dill, Frank's Hot sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper until fully incorporated.
Add ground chicken, grated Parmesan, and crushed Ritz crackers. Mix with your hands until evenly combined.
Moisten clean hands with water and roll the Buffalo chicken meatball mixture into 1- to 1½-inch balls (depending on whether you're serving them as an appetizer or main dish). Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the meatballs halfway through, until they're lightly golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165℉).
For the sauce
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine heavy cream and butter. Stir until the butter has melted. Add 3 tablespoons of the hot sauce, chili powder, dill, sugar, and salt.
Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened to the consistency of a cream sauce. It should coat the back of your spoon.
Toss meatballs in the sauce and then simmer for about 5 more minutes so that all of the flavors can meld together. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Add the extra buffalo sauce if desired. Sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve.
Tips for Success
- Adjust the heat to your taste: If you're cooking for kids or prefer a milder flavor, go ahead and reduce the amount of hot sauce. Just avoid adding extra - too much acidity can cause the creamy sauce to curdle or thicken too quickly.
- Shape size matters: For appetizer servings, roll the meatballs smaller - bite-size works best - and consider making half the sauce since you won't need as much for dipping or serving alongside sides like rice or vegetables.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Cook in batches if needed to ensure even browning and tender, juicy meatballs.
- Double the sauce (if you love extra): The creamy Buffalo sauce is great drizzled over rice, veggies, or even those next-day sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of ground chicken should I use?
Lean ground chicken is ideal for this recipe, as it will result in juicy meatballs without excess grease.
Can I use a different type of hot sauce?
Yes, you can substitute your favorite hot sauce for Frank's Red Hot. However, adjust the amount to your preferred level of heat.
How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
These meatballs can be cooked and tossed in the creamy sauce up to a day in advance. Simply reheat them before serving.
Storage
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving. I think they taste even better the next day.
Cooking for Two
This recipe is easy to adapt for smaller portions, but I like to make the full batch - it gives us dinner now and another effortless meal later in the week.
The first night, we'll enjoy the meatballs spooned over rice or mashed potatoes with plenty of that creamy Buffalo sauce.
A few days later, I reheat the leftovers in the air fryer and turn them into sub sandwiches - toasted rolls, a drizzle of blue cheese dressing (or leftover sauce if you have it), and dinner's done.
Since the air fryer's already hot, I usually throw in a handful of tater tots and serve it all with a Simple Caesar Salad.
More "Buffalo" recipes to try
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a review or snap a quick photo and tag me on Facebook.
Every time you share one of my recipes, it helps me grow this blog-and I'm so grateful for your support.
As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
Learn how to get Amazon deliveries straight to your RV.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 Tablespoon Frank's Hot Sauce
- 1 large colve of garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 Ritz Crackers, ground into crumbs
For the Creamy Sauce
- 1⅓ cups heavy cream
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3-4 tablespoons Frank's Hot Sauce
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped dill or ¼ teaspoon dried
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Serving
- 2 scallions
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350℉. Lightly spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with a perforated parchment liner designed for air fryers.
- In a large bowl, combine one large egg, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill (or 1 teaspoon dried), 1 Tablespoon Frank's Hot sauce, 1 clove minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper until fully incorporated.
- Add 1 pound ground chicken, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan, and 10 crushed Ritz crackers. Mix with your hands until evenly combined.
- Moisten your hands with water and then roll into 1 or 2-inch meatballs (depending on whether you are serving them as an appetizer or as a main course). Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the meatballs halfway through, until they're lightly golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165℉).
For the sauce
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine 1⅓ cups heavy cream and 3 tablespoons of butter. Stir until the butter has melted. Add 3 tablespoons of the hot sauce, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped dill (or ¼ teaspoon dried), ¼ teaspoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened to the consistency of a cream sauce. It should coat the back of your spoon.
- Nestle the meatballs into the sauce and then simmer for about 5 more minutes so that all of the flavors can meld. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Add the remaining hot sauce if desired. Sprinkle with chopped scallions and serve over rice.
Brandi says
This is such a delicious twist on meatballs! Everyone loved them even the picky eaters.
Erik says
Great flavors here. Very easy to make, and so filling!
Casey says
I loved these! I made buffalo meatball subs with them and they were phenomenal. I'll definitely be making them again.
Chenee says
These were so easy to make and absolutely delicious! I'll be making them again soon for my Buffalo chicken-loving family!
Jess says
These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are an absolute game-changer! The meatballs were juicy and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect balance of tangy and spicy.
Absolutely be making this again!
Lily says
It was the best meatball recipe that I have tried so far. I served them at a family gathering, and they were a total hit! These little flavor bombs disappeared in minutes. Can't wait to make them again for the next get-together. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
trisha says
So moist and delicious and I loved the zippiness of the sauce -- served over pearled couscous and it was a big hit.
Jhicel says
The combination of the zesty Frank's Hot Sauce, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in the meatball mixture gives them an incredible flavor. Rolling them into bite-sized meatballs was so much fun, and they turned out perfectly tender after baking. The sauce is the real star here, with the creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet notes coming together in a mouthwatering symphony. I can't wait to serve these as an appetizer at my next game day gathering.
Kristelle says
I made this tonight and my boyfriend ate almost all of the meatballs. It was great. Definitely putting this on the meal rotation!
Lisa says
Frank's Red Hot Sauce adds the perfect heat to this recipe – I swear, it's like it was made for my taste buds!
Entertaining the RV Life says
Oooh! Frank's hot sauce would be a great addition. I will have to try that recommendation.
Kim says
I love Buffalo chicken but never thought about making Buffalo chicken meatballs. Genius idea and so tasty!
Frank says
We made these meatballs last night and they were SO delicious! I served them over rice with crumbled blue cheese and scallions. Everyone loved them. I’m always looking for something new to try and I’m so glad I stumbled across this recipe.