Learn how to make chicken lollipops in the air fryer. They come out crispy, tender, and packed with flavor without all the excess oil of regular frying.
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Love chicken wings? Then you're in for a treat with this fun twist for drumettes. These juicy and flavorful bites pack a punch of contrasting textures and flavors.
Whether you prefer them spicy or tangy, these little delights are perfect for any occasion. From game nights to family gatherings, they're versatile crowd-pleasers that will have everyone reaching for more.
Chicken lollipops are a welcome change from traditional air fryer chicken wings. Plus, they are perfectly shaped for dipping into your favorite sauce.
Reasons to Love
- Tender and juicy. The hot air inside the fryer ensures that the chicken is cooked evenly, resulting in a crisp exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender.
- Healthier option. Using only a small amount of oil, an air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken lollipops, producing a similar crispiness to those made using the deep fry method. Air frying lets you achieve that delightful crunch without submerging your food in high fat oil.
Ingredients
You'll need chicken drumettes and other basic ingredients to make the recipe. Drumettes are the meaty sections of the chicken wings that resemble small chicken drumsticks. They are perfect for making lollipops because they are about the same size as candy lollipops
Here are the items you'll need for the chicken lollipop recipe:
- chicken wing drummettes
- Panko breadcrumbs
- all-purpose flour
- egg
- cornstarch
- garlic powder
- smoked sweet paprika
- salt and pepper
- olive oil spray
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Start by gently peeling back the skin from the meat of each drumette. Use a paper towel to get a good grip and pull the skin off completely.
Hold chicken at the meaty part while inserting a sharp knife near the end tip of the meat and bone until the meat is entirely separated from the bone. Then push down the chicken meat and form to resemble a ball.
Trim the excess chicken meat at the tip of the bone, but do not cut the bone. Shape the remaining chicken drumettes into the proper shape. Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder and stand for 15 to 30 minutes.
Combine Panko breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked sweet paprika in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, add flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper then mix well.
Roll the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off excess flour.
Dip each piece in egg and allow the excess egg to drip.
Coat each egg-dipped chicken in seasoned Panko breadcrumbs.
Spray some oil on the Air Fryer tray. Place Panko breaded chicken on the Air Fryer tray. Spray more oil all over the chicken lollipops.
Insert tray into the middle cooking chamber of a preheated Air Fryer at 370°F (188°C). Set at 12 minutes. Cook chicken until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
Hint: Once your air fryer chicken lollipops are golden and crispy, serve them with a garnish of fresh herbs. Sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro over the lollipops to add a burst of color and a hint of freshness.
Variations
There are endless seasoning options for this lollipop chicken recipe. You can also cook them in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Here are a few ways you can modify the recipe:
- Spicy - mix together cayenne pepper, chili powder, and a touch of hot sauce for some heat.
- Sweet - dusting your lollipops with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg for a unique flavor experience.
- Marinade - using a simple soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger marinade can infuse the meat with flavor and help it stay juicy during cooking.
- Bake - place chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Flavor variations for wings works for this recipe too. Check out my lemon pepper wings for a delicious option.
Tips
Top tip: It's essential to remove the smaller bone and cartilage from one end so that the remaining meat forms a "lollipop" shape.
- After pushing down on the meat, hold onto that exposed bone and give it a gentle twist. This will help separate some of those tendons and ligaments at one end so they're easier to remove later.
- Trim off any excess cartilage or tendons from around where you pushed down on your chicken meat earlier. You can also scrape off any remaining bits of connective tissue using a sharp knife.
- Marinate the chicken in the seasonings for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to seep into the meat.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray when cooking. Allow some space between each piece to ensure even air circulation and crispy results.
Serving suggestions
They can be enjoyed hot as an appetizer or a main dish. The juicy meat on the stick is a delightful treat for any occasion. You can pair them with various dips like BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or even sweet chili sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Chicken lollipops are versatile and can be served alongside other dishes such as coleslaw, potato salad, or air fryer potato wedges. You can also pair them with other appetizers like air fryer frozen jalapeño poppers or air fryer teriyaki chicken wings.
Storage
After enjoying your delicious chicken lollipops, if there happen to be any leftovers, it's essential to store them properly. Place the remaining lollipops in an airtight container before storing them in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, they can last up to three days without compromising their taste and quality.
To enjoy leftover chicken lollipops again, simply reheat them in the oven for best results. This will help retain their crispy texture while ensuring that they are heated evenly throughout.
FAQs
How do I prepare chicken drumettes for lollipops?
First, separate the meat from the bone end. Push the meat down to create a "lollipop" shape. Trim off excess skin and cartilage for a clean look.
What are some sauces that go well with chicken lollipops?
Popular choices include barbecue sauce, honey mustard dip or even a spicy sriracha glaze. These complement the crispy exterior and juicy interior of the lollipop perfectly.
Related Recipes
Want more meaty appetizers for one or two people? Here are a few more recipes you can try:
- Chicken skewers in air fryer is a great alternative to grilling.
- Air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp are always a winning flavor combo.
- Bacon-wrapped salmon bites will win over any seafood lover.
- Lechon kawali air fryer recipe is a delicious way to enjoy pork belly.
- Lil smokies air fryer recipe wraps the cocktail sausages in bacon.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Lollipop
Ingredients
- 8 pieces chicken wing drumettes
- ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 small beaten egg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided
- ¼ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- olive oil spray
- fresh parsley garnish (optional)
OTHER:
- foil optional
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken then carefully remove skin.
- Let's start shaping drumettes into lollipops. Hold chicken wings at the meaty part while inserting a sharp knife near the end tip of the meat and bone until the meat is entirely separated from the bone.
- Push down the chicken meat and form it to resemble a ball.
- Trim the excess chicken meat at the tip of the bone but do not cut the bone. Do this for the remaining chicken drumettes.
- Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder and stand for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare three separate bowls, one with the beaten egg, another with the flour mixture, and the last one with Panko mixture.
- Combine Panko breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked sweet paprika in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper then mix well.
- Arrange bowls chronologically. First, roll the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off excess flour. Second, dip chicken in egg and allow excess egg to drip. Lastly, coat chicken in seasoned Panko breadcrumbs.
- Transfer breaded chicken in a plate. Continue to dredge the remaining chicken.
- Spritz some oil on the Air Fryer tray.
- Place Panko breaded chicken on the Air Fryer tray. The chicken lollipop should stand upright where the meat is at the bottom part of the tray. Spritz some oil all over the chicken lollipop.
- Gently insert tray into the middle cooking chamber of a pre-heated Air Fryer at 370F (188C). Set at 12 minutes. Cook chicken until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Garnish with parsley. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Addison
I baked the chicken lollipops in the oven as suggested and they came out golden brown and crispy. For the dipping sauce, I went for classic ranch and it was a perfect combo. So addictive!
Shania
My kids loved it! Made the sweet version of this and served it with some ranch and can I just say they were so yummy! Thanks a lot for this recipe!
Irene
I made this yesterday and it was a big hit, especially to my kids! They cleared their plates in no time! I loved how juicy the meat was too.
GRETA
I made this today for lunch and we loved it! They not only taste really good, they are also pretty! I recommend it. Thanks x
Sabrina
These chicken lollipops were juicy and flavorful. Paired it with your ranch dressing recipe and it was some flavor overload. So yum!