If you’re in the mood for a crispy, saucy twist on a classic comfort food, these Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets will absolutely win you over. Bursting with flavor and offering serious crunch thanks to a cornflake crust, these little bites are finished with a sweep of buttery hot honey for that sweet-heat kick. Whether you’re serving them for a fun family dinner, a party platter, or just to upgrade your weeknight chicken routine, these nuggets are about to become a repeat favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find that every ingredient in these Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets plays an important role, from the audibly crunchy coating to the punchy drizzle. They’re simple, familiar pantry staples, but when combined, the end result is far from ordinary.
- Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless, and cut into 1 ½-inch nuggets for that perfect bite-sized base.
- Cornflakes: Crushed into fine crumbs, these transform the crust into a golden, shattering shell of crunch.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds savory depth and a boost of umami to the coating.
- Smoked paprika: Brings gentle smokiness that pairs beautifully with the honey glaze.
- Garlic powder: Infuses every bite with irresistible garlicky warmth.
- Onion powder: Subtle, sweet onion backdrop to round out the flavors.
- Salt: Enhances every ingredient and ensures robust flavor in each nugget.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and a touch of brightness.
- Eggs: Essential for helping the crumb coat stick and set up perfectly in the oven.
- Milk: Lightens the egg mixture for even coating.
- Olive oil spray: Ensures the nuggets bake up with beautiful, golden crispiness.
- Honey: Forms the luscious, sticky-sweet backbone of the hot honey drizzle.
- Hot sauce: Just the right amount adds a craveable fiery edge; tailor it to your spice level.
- Butter: Melts into the honey for a silky, restaurant-worthy dipping sauce.
How to Make Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Step 1: Prepare Your Station
Set the scene before you start: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This small step is a huge favor to later-you—easy cleanup and crispy nuggets guaranteed!
Step 2: Make the Crunchy Coating
In a shallow dish, combine your crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This is your shortcut to serious flavor with a fraction of the work. Mix it all together and admire those flecks of cheese and spice—you want every little piece to shine.
Step 3: Whisk the Egg Wash
Grab another bowl and whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth and light. This simple mix gives your nuggets a sticky base for all that crust to cling to and creates an extra-juicy interior once baked.
Step 4: Dredge and Coat
One piece at a time, dunk each nugget into the egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated, then roll it in the cornflake crumb mix, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Lay each nugget on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them out so they’ll get crispy on all sides instead of steaming.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Lightly mist the tops of your nuggets with olive oil spray. This is the secret to getting a crisp, fried-like crunch in the oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping your nuggets halfway through, until they’re golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Take a moment to marvel at how good your kitchen smells!
Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the chicken bakes, start the star of the show: Add the honey, hot sauce, and butter to a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until the butter melts and everything’s combined. Adjust the hot sauce for your ideal spice level. You’ll notice the sauce glistening and smelling absolutely fantastic—it’s ready for immediate drizzling or dipping.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Let your Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets cool for a minute or two, then either drizzle that hot honey liberally over the top or serve it alongside for dipping, letting everyone customize cozy, spicy-sweet bites to their own taste.
How to Serve Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Garnishes
These nuggets are absolutely inviting on their own, but a few simple garnishes can make them extra-special. Try a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for color or thinly sliced chives for a gentle onion pop. If you want more kick, a light dusting of smoked paprika just before serving is both beautiful and flavorful!
Side Dishes
I love serving these with classic sides that balance the spicy-sweet flavors. Cool ranch or blue cheese dressing are always winners. For something heartier, think creamy coleslaw, crisp sweet potato fries, or a vibrant green salad tossed with lemony dressing to cut the richness of the nuggets and honey.
Creative Ways to Present
Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets make a sensational party tray! Serve them skewered on cocktail sticks with a trio of dipping sauces, or build sliders with soft rolls and a swipe of coleslaw. For a fun family dinner, create a nugget board with assorted veggies, pickles, and extra hot honey on the side so everyone can build their own plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your cooked nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the hot honey sauce separate so you can easily reheat both without losing that addictive crunch and sticky glaze.
Freezing
Yes, Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets are freezer-friendly! Lay cooked, cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. For best results, freeze the hot honey sauce separately or plan to make it fresh when you reheat.
Reheating
For crispy reheated nuggets, bake them on a wire rack at 375°F for about 10 minutes or until hot and crunchy. You can also pop them in the air fryer for 5–6 minutes. Warm your hot honey gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving for the full swoon-worthy experience.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will be even juicier and offer a slightly richer flavor. Just be sure to cut them to similar nugget-size pieces for even cooking.
What’s the best way to crush cornflakes for the coating?
The easiest method is placing the cornflakes in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin until fine. You can also pulse them quickly in a food processor—just be careful not to overdo it, you still want some texture!
Is the hot honey very spicy?
The hot honey can be as spicy or as mild as you like. If you’re serving kids or prefer less heat, start with just 2 tablespoons of hot sauce and taste before adding more. You can also experiment with different types of hot sauce to find your favorite balance.
Can I air-fry these nuggets instead of baking?
Yes, they turn out wonderfully crisp in the air fryer! Cook at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the nuggets halfway through. This method crisps up the cornflake coating even more.
How do I make these Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets gluten-free?
Simply swap regular cornflakes for a certified gluten-free variety and ensure your hot sauce is gluten-free as well. All other ingredients should be naturally gluten-free!
Final Thoughts
Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets are pure comfort food magic—crunchy, saucy, and just the right touch of sweet and heat. I truly hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let it win a spot in your dinnertime rotation. Gather your ingredients, invite friends or family, and watch these irresistible little nibbles disappear in record time!
Print
Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets are a delicious twist on classic chicken nuggets, with a crispy cornflake coating and a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Nuggets:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½-inch nuggets
- 3 cups cornflakes, crushed into fine crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Olive oil spray
For the Hot Honey Drizzle:
- ½ cup honey
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the cornflake coating: In a shallow dish, mix the crushed cornflakes, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk egg mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken nugget into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the cornflake mixture. Place coated nuggets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the nuggets: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Make the hot honey: In a small saucepan, heat honey, hot sauce, and butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Drizzle the hot honey over the baked nuggets before serving or serve it on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crunch, air-fry the nuggets at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Adjust hot sauce level depending on spice preference.
- These pair perfectly with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6 nuggets
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
