Hello, foodies! One of my go-to go-to recipes that I want to share with you today is Air Fried Chicken Stuffed Buns. If you’re in the mood for a quick, delicious, and seriously satisfying meal or snack that everyone will eat, this is the one for you. Golden, crispy buns filled with a creamy, savory chicken filling, all in the convenience of your air fryer!
I understand you’re busy, We all are. I love this recipe because there’s very little work involved, yet a lot of flavor. No complicated processes – we’re going to have these incredible buns on your table in less than an hour. Imagine them as your own little cloud of happiness! Ready to dive in?
Key Takeaways
Air Fried Chicken Stuffed Bun
Ingredients
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- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or finely diced
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- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
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- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
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- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
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- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
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- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
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- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
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- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
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- 8 frozen dinner rolls (like Rhodes brand), thawed
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- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
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- 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
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- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
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- Cooking spray or a little oil
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Necessary Utensils & Equipment
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- Air Fryer
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- Large Mixing Bowl
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- Small Bowl (for egg wash)
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- Spatula or Spoon
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- Baking Sheet (for thawing rolls)
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- Parchment Paper or Air Fryer Liners
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- Pastry Brush
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Instructions
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- Prep the Filling: In your large mixing bowl, mix the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy. Set this aside to let the flavors marry.
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- Thaw the Rolls: Place your frozen dinner rolls on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover them with plastic wrap and let them thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, or until they’re soft and puffy. You want them easy to work with.
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- Stuff the Buns: Once the rolls are thawed, gently flatten each roll into a disc shape, about 4-5 inches wide. Place a generous spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture in the center of each flattened dough disc.
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- Seal ‘Em Up: Carefully bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching them together at the top to completely seal the bun. Make sure there are no gaps, or the filling might leak out during cooking. Gently roll the sealed bun in your hands to make it nice and round.
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- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, prepare your egg wash by whisking the egg and water together in a small bowl.
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- Egg Wash & Sesame: Brush each stuffed bun with the egg wash. If you’re using them, sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top for extra texture and flavor.
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- Air Fry to Golden: Place the buns in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd it. You’ll probably need to cook them in batches. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re deeply golden brown and cooked through. The key here is that beautiful golden-brown crust!
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- Cool Slightly & Serve: Carefully remove the hot buns from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set a bit. Enjoy them warm!
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Tips for Success with Your Air Fried Stuffed Buns
The recipe for these chicken stuffed buns is quite simple, but a few tips can help make them great! Over the years, I’ve come to learn a few things that I believe you will appreciate!
Choosing the Best Bun Base
The first time I used this recipe, I used an extremely crusty roll and it was a mistake! Not so easy to work with and not so pillowy inside. Ideally, choose a soft and easy-to-thaw frozen dinner roll. Brands such as Rhodes can do wonders. When stuffing the dough, you want it to be easy to stretch and not tear.
Making the Chicken Filling Just Right
The chicken filling is the heart of this dish, so let’s make it sing! Make sure your cooked chicken is finely shredded or diced. Big chunks can make sealing the buns tricky. Also, I always make sure the filling is completely cool before stuffing. Why? A warm filling makes the dough gooey and harder to handle. Plus, it helps everything hold its form better during air frying.
Pro Tip: Don’t overfill! It’s tempting to stuff as much delicious chicken as possible into each bun, but too much filling makes them impossible to seal without tearing the dough. Aim for about 2 tablespoons per roll. It’s a sweet spot!
Getting That Crispy, Golden Exterior
The air fryer is a rockstar here. To get that incredible golden-brown, slightly crispy crust that makes these buns so irresistible, don’t skip the egg wash. It truly makes all the difference. Also, resist the urge to stack your buns. Cooking them in a single layer ensures even air circulation, which means even cooking and a beautiful finish. You want to hear that satisfying crunch when you bite into them!
Variations to Keep Things Exciting
Feeling creative? This recipe is super adaptable. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
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- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken filling for a kick.
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- BBQ Chicken Buns: Swap the cream cheese and cheddar for BBQ sauce and some smoked gouda.
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- Veggie Power: Stir in finely diced bell peppers, corn, or spinach to the chicken mixture. Just be sure to cook off any extra moisture from the veggies first.
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- Different Cheese: Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses would also work wonderfully.
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Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any remaining air fried chicken stuffed buns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re warm through and crispy again. The microwave will warm them, but you’ll lose that wonderful crispness, so I don’t recommend it if you want the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh dough instead of frozen rolls?
Absolutely! If you’re a baking whiz, you can definitely use your favorite homemade dinner roll dough. Just make sure it’s risen once and is ready to be portioned and flattened. The cook time might stay similar, but always look for that golden color and make sure the internal temp is good.
What if my buns are browning too quickly?
If you notice them getting too dark on the outside before they’re cooked inside, try lowering your air fryer temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and adding a minute or two to the cooking time. Every air fryer is a little different, so it’s good to know how yours acts!
Can I prepare these ahead of time?
You bet! You can assemble the stuffed buns, brush them with egg wash, and then place them on a parchment-lined tray. Pop them in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to a month. When you’re ready to cook, no need to thaw completely; just add 5-8 minutes to the air frying time, checking for doneness.
What sauces go well with these buns?
Oh, the possibilities! We love dipping these in ranch dressing, a little marinara sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. For something a little different, a sweet and sour sauce would be a great contrast.
My buns are tough after cooking, what happened?
This usually happens if you overwork the dough too much when flattening or sealing, or if they were air fried for too long at too high a temperature. Try to handle the dough gently and keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of cooking. You’re aiming for a soft, fluffy bun with a crunchy outside.
So, what are you waiting for? Give these Air Fried Chicken Stuffed Buns a whirl and tell me what you think. I bet they’ll become a regular in your rotation. What’s your favorite easy air fryer meal?
