Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls

Make these buffalo chicken cheese balls for a party, or for dinner. I only made a 1/2 batch as an appetizer on 1st attempt in case they were too spicy for my kids, but they LOVED THEM!!!! They request them for our dinner entree. I fried 1/2 and baked 1/2 in the air fryer/toaster oven and the air fryer was the winner!!!

Here is the recipe I adapted and cooked in the air fryer. https://bit.ly/2MQ7APK

1 store-bought rotisserie chicken (I used rotisserie breast meat - about 2 cups chicken)

1/4 cup hot sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays)

1 teaspoon black ground pepper

1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar cheese (I used dairy free and shockingly, no one knew!?!)

1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used gluten-free)

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups panko bread crumbs (I used gluten free)

Pick the meat from the chicken. Place the chicken in a bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper and cheese. Roll the mixture into a ball, the size of a golf ball. Place the flour, then egg and the bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll the balls in the flour, then egg and then bread crumbs.  Place them on a tray or basket for use in the air fryer. Spray the balls with cooking oil and bake in air fryer for 8 minutes at 400 degrees, or until browned. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dip.