Description
Cordon Bleu Bites are a delightful appetizer featuring ground chicken mixed with smoked ham and seasonings, wrapped around creamy Swiss cheese cubes, and cooked to perfection in an air fryer for a crispy, golden finish. Perfect for parties or casual snacking with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup smoked ham, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- Cooking spray
- (Optional for coating) Extra Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, finely chopped smoked ham, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, freshly ground black pepper, Dijon mustard, and eggs. Mix everything thoroughly until well blended to form a uniform mixture.
- Add the Bread Crumbs: Gradually add the Panko bread crumbs into the chicken mixture, mixing carefully until the mixture holds together well and is not too loose, ensuring easier shaping of the bites.
- Form the Bites: Take small portions of the prepared chicken mixture and shape each around a cube of Swiss cheese, forming approximately 2-inch diameter balls that fully encase the cheese inside.
- Optional Coating: For added crunch, roll each chicken ball in additional Panko bread crumbs, coating evenly on all sides before cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature for crisp cooking.
- Cook the Bites: Carefully place the coated bites into the air fryer basket, arranging them so they do not touch each other for even cooking. Lightly spray the outsides with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy crust.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Cook the bites for 10 to 12 minutes total. Halfway through cooking, turn the bites over and spray lightly again with cooking spray. Continue cooking until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the cordon bleu bites from the air fryer and serve them hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as Dijon cream sauce or honey mustard for a delicious appetizer experience.
Notes
- Cheese Tip: Use frozen Swiss cheese cubes for easier shaping and to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.
- Oven Alternative: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the bites at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Storage & Reheating: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, air fry at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4-5 bites)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
