Crispy Hot Honey Thighs

This hot honey chicken thigh recipe transformed my family's weeknight dinner routine with its perfect balance of sweet heat and irresistible crunch. The air fryer makes these chicken thighs incredibly crispy without the mess of traditional frying, while the hot honey drizzle adds that special touch that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

I first made this recipe during a busy week when I needed something quick but impressive. My kids were skeptical about the cornflake coating but now they request these chicken thighs at least twice a month. The sticky hot honey finish never fails to bring smiles around our dinner table.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs. These stay juicy and tender in the air fryer and have more flavor than chicken breasts.
• Cornflakes. Creates an incredibly crunchy coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer without added oil.
• Eggs. Help the cornflake coating adhere to the chicken while adding richness.
• Paprika. Adds a subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the coating.
• Garlic powder. Provides savory depth without the risk of burning that fresh garlic would have.
• Salt and pepper. Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the dish.
• Avocado oil spray. Has a high smoke point perfect for air frying and helps achieve that golden crispy exterior.
• Hot honey. The star ingredient that transforms ordinary crispy chicken into something special with its sweet heat finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F and allow it to fully preheat for at least 3 minutes. A properly preheated air fryer ensures the chicken starts crisping immediately rather than steaming, which is crucial for that perfect texture.

Create Your Coating Station

Mix your crushed cornflakes with the paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a shallow dish, stirring well to distribute the seasonings evenly. In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk the eggs until smooth and slightly frothy. Position these bowls side by side to create an efficient dipping station.

Coat The Chicken Thighs

Take each chicken thigh and dip it first in the beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage. Let excess egg drip off before pressing firmly into the cornflake mixture. Use your fingers to gently press the coating onto all surfaces of the chicken, creating an even layer. For extra crispiness, let the coated chicken rest for 5 minutes before cooking.

Air Fry To Perfection

Arrange your coated chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they have space between them for air circulation. Lightly spray both sides with avocado oil spray. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through. The chicken is done when the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Finish With Hot Honey

As soon as the chicken comes out of the air fryer, drizzle generously with hot honey while still hot. The heat helps the honey spread and slightly melt into the crispy coating, creating the perfect sweet heat finish that makes this dish special.

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I discovered this recipe during a pantry cleanout day when I had half a box of cornflakes that nobody was eating for breakfast. The transformation from forgotten cereal to incredible chicken coating was magical. My daughter now specifically requests what she calls "cereal chicken" whenever we have guests over.

Make Your Own Hot Honey

Store bought hot honey works perfectly for this recipe, but making your own allows you to customize the heat level exactly to your preference. Simply warm 1/2 cup of good quality honey in a small saucepan over low heat, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes depending on your heat tolerance. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, then strain if desired or leave the flakes in for stronger flavor development over time. Homemade hot honey keeps for months in the refrigerator and is delicious on everything from pizza to biscuits.

Perfect Pairings

These hot honey chicken thighs shine alongside simple sides that complement without competing with their bold flavor profile. Try serving with a cooling cucumber salad, buttery mashed potatoes, or classic mac and cheese for a family friendly meal. For a healthier option, roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts provide a nice textural contrast while soaking up any extra hot honey drizzle. My family particularly loves these chicken thighs with coconut rice which provides a subtle sweetness that balances the heat beautifully.

Storage And Reheating

These chicken thighs maintain their delicious flavor for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While the coating softens slightly, reheating in the air fryer at 350°F for just 3 to 4 minutes restores much of the original crispiness. For meal prep, I recommend storing the hot honey separately and adding it after reheating for the freshest flavor experience. These chicken thighs can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Dietary Adaptations

This recipe is naturally dairy free, but can be easily modified for other dietary needs. For a gluten free version, simply ensure your cornflakes are certified gluten free. Those following egg free diets can substitute the egg dip with buttermilk or a mixture of plant milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch. The recipe also works beautifully with chicken breasts or tenders, though cooking times will need to be adjusted accordingly.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead?

Yes, you can use bone-in thighs, but you'll need to increase the cooking time by 5-7 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. Bone-in thighs may require batch cooking in the air fryer to ensure they're not overcrowded.

→ What can I substitute for cornflakes?

Panko breadcrumbs make an excellent substitute for cornflakes. You can also try crushed crackers, potato chips, or rice cereal for different flavor profiles and textures. Just ensure they're crushed finely for proper adhesion to the chicken.

→ How do I make hot honey at home?

To make homemade hot honey, warm 1 cup of honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste), then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let steep for 1 hour, then strain if desired. Store in a jar at room temperature for up to 3 months.

→ Can this be prepared ahead of time?

You can prepare the cornflake coating and season the chicken up to a day ahead, but for best results, coat the chicken just before cooking. Pre-coated chicken may become soggy in the refrigerator. Leftover cooked chicken can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.

→ What sides pair well with hot honey chicken thighs?

These chicken thighs pair beautifully with cooling sides like coleslaw, cucumber salad, or corn on the cob. For starches, consider serving with rice, roasted potatoes, or mac and cheese. The sweet-spicy flavor also works well with cornbread or honey butter biscuits.

→ How do I ensure the cornflake coating sticks to the chicken?

For the best coating adhesion, make sure the chicken is patted dry before dipping in egg. Press the cornflake mixture firmly onto the chicken and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking. The light spray of avocado oil also helps the coating crisp up and adhere during cooking.