Air Fryer Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Name: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; salt and black pepper to taste; 2 eggs (whisked); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup buffalo sauce; 4 brioche or burger buns; 1 tomato (sliced); green leaf or romaine lettuce

If you love buffalo chicken, you will love these Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches! They are made in the air fryer, coated in spicy buffalo sauce and are the perfect crowd-pleasing recipe.

OMG!! Just made these tonight ❤️ Huge hit here!! So crunchy, tasty, healthier than real fried chicken. These are on our dinner rotation. Love!!- Nancy

Crispy chicken sandwiches on a tray lined with parchment paper.

This post was originally published in 2020 and it was updated in August 2022 with new pictures and information. The recipe is still the same.

🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe

Customizable. These crispy buffalo chicken sandwiches can easily be customized to the amount of spice you like and any allergies or sensitivities you may have. If you like these sandwiches, try my Blackened Chicken Sandwiches next.
Simple recipe. If you are a fan of easy recipes, you will love how quickly this one comes together.
Perfect for the whole family. Everyone from kids to adults will love these spicy chicken sandwiches. Serve them alongside my Air Fryer Steak Fries for a fun dinner!

🥘Ingredients

Chicken- I recommend using boneless chicken thighs over boneless chicken breasts for this recipe. Chicken thighs have more fat which gives them more flavor.
Flour- I used all-purpose flour, but gluten-free 1:1 flour will work if you have sensitivities.
Eggs- used for an egg wash to help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken for a nice thick coating.
Panko breadcrumbs- use regular breadcrumbs, rice crumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs, all should work in this recipe.
Buffalo sauce- I love the New Primal buffalo sauce because of the clean ingredients but use your favorite buffalo wing sauce.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

📖Substitutions & Variations

Skip the flour and/or panko coating for a healthier alternative. Just coat the chicken in spices and toss in buffalo sauce after cooking. If you have a busy day ahead, try Crock Pot fried chicken for a hands-off dinner.
Use the spices as a coating for buffalo wings, shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Make your own homemade buffalo sauce with spices and vinegar.

🔪Instructions

Three bowls filled with flour, breadcrumbs and whisked eggs.

Step 1: Set up an assembly line. Mix flour in a shallow bowl with the spices. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and add breadcrumbs to their own shallow dish.

Step 2: Dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture.

Step 3: Then dip the chicken into the egg wash.

A chicken thigh in a bowl of breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Finally, dip the pieces of chicken in the breadcrumbs and press down until they are fully coated. Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Toss the cooked chicken in buffalo sauce and assemble the sandwiches.

Sarah's Favorite

Air Fryer

All of my air fryer recipes are made using a NuWave air fryer. I've used both the basket style and the tray style.

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💭Recipe FAQs

What kind of cheese goes best with buffalo chicken?

Blue cheese is what you will normally see paired with buffalo chicken. Sliced cheese such as mozzarella and cheddar are also great options.

What is buffalo sauce made of?

Buffalo sauce is typically made of a combination of vinegar, butter and spices such as cayenne pepper.

What are the best toppings for a buffalo chicken sandwich?

There are so many options. I am a big fan of just lettuce and tomato with spicy chicken but here are some delicious ideas:
-Blue cheese dressing or blue cheese crumbles
-Ranch dressing
-Sliced cheddar cheese
-Sliced red onion
-Green onions
-Homemade or storebought creamy coleslaw mix
-Dill pickles

Can you make this spicy chicken sandwich recipe in the oven?

Yes! The chicken can also be made in the oven. Cook the chicken at 375 degrees F for about 25-30 minutes. Check to make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F before serving. For the best results, I recommend placing a wire rack on top of the baking sheet rather than placing the chicken directly on a sheet pan. For more tips check out my air fryer to oven conversion chart.

👩🏻‍🍳Sarah's Top Tips

Cook time varies depending on your air fryer model, I recommend checking the chicken at around 20 minutes.
Don't skip the flour. While it may be tempting to skip the flour for a "healthier" sandwich, the chicken won't be as crispy. I promise it's worth it.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Make sure you use cooking spray to coat the air fryer basket before putting the chicken in, otherwise, it could stick.

If you love buffalo chicken you will also love my Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip, Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks and Honey Buffalo Wings.

A hand grabbing a spicy chicken sandwich.

🥗Serving

Assemble the chicken sandwiches. Toast brioche buns to your liking and top with lettuce, tomato, chicken and your favorite toppings.

I love serving these sandwiches with sweet potato fries and a side of Caesar salad or Greek cucumber salad. Other options: regular fries, garden salad, roasted or sautéed vegetables, smashed fingerling potatoes or potato salad. If you are making these for a crowd, serve them alongside my Sloppy Joe Sliders!