Description
Delicious and crispy Cordon Bleu Bites made with ground chicken, smoked ham, and Swiss cheese, air-fried to perfection. These bite-sized appetizers are perfect for parties or any casual gathering and pair beautifully with your favorite dipping sauces.
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
- Extra Panko bread crumbs for coating
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped ham, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Add the Bread Crumbs: Gradually add the Panko bread crumbs to the mixture, stirring continuously until the mixture holds together firmly without being too dry.
- Form the Bites: Take small portions of the chicken mixture and carefully wrap each Swiss cheese cube with it, shaping into approximately 2-inch balls ensuring cheese is fully enclosed.
- Optional Coating: For an extra crispy crust, roll each formed bite in additional Panko bread crumbs to coat evenly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for a few minutes to ensure it reaches the perfect cooking temperature.
- Cook the Bites: Arrange the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Lightly spray each bite with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time and spraying again with cooking spray to promote even browning. Cook until the bites are golden brown and the internal temperature is safe.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the bites carefully and serve hot with Dijon cream sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce as a perfect appetizer.
Notes
- Cheese Tip: Use frozen Swiss cheese cubes for easier shaping and to prevent excessive melting during cooking.
- Oven Alternative: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking if you don’t have an air fryer.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
