Spelt Honey Sesame Chicken Bites

These spelt honey sesame chicken bites use whole spelt flour as the coating base, which adds a mild nuttiness that plain breadcrumbs can't match. The bites are baked at high heat, so the coating crisps without deep-frying.

The glaze is a straightforward mix of honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. It goes on in the last few minutes of baking, which keeps the coating from going soggy and lets the sugars caramelise quickly.

This is a practical recipe for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. You can coat the chicken ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to bake.

Spelt flour behaves similarly to plain flour here, but the lower gluten tension means the coating stays lighter. It also adds a small amount of extra fibre compared to white wheat flour.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Spelt coating crisps in the oven without any frying
Honey-sesame glaze caramelises on every piece
Coating prep takes under 15 minutes
Works as a main or a crowd-friendly appetizer

Pastry brush applying honey-sesame glaze over crispy spelt-coated chicken bites on a wire rack in the oven

Ingredient Notes

Whole spelt flour: Adds a nutty, slightly earthy flavour to the coating. White spelt flour works too and gives a slightly lighter crust. Plain wheat flour can substitute if spelt is unavailable, though the nuttiness won't be there.
Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless): Thighs stay juicy at high oven temperatures better than breast meat. If you use breast, cut pieces slightly larger and watch the cook time - they can dry out past 20 minutes.
Honey: A runny, mild honey works best so it coats evenly in the glaze. Buckwheat or darker honeys add a stronger flavour that competes with the sesame.
Soy sauce: Use light soy sauce for the glaze to keep the salt level balanced. Tamari works as a direct substitute and keeps the recipe gluten-free if you also swap the spelt flour.
Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil (the dark kind) gives the most fragrant result. Add it to the glaze off the heat rather than cooking it, so the aroma stays intact.
Sesame seeds: White sesame seeds are standard here. A mix of white and black sesame seeds adds visual contrast and a slightly more pronounced flavour.

Hand reaching for a spelt honey sesame chicken bite from a ceramic plate alongside steamed rice and cucumber salad

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Cooking Method: Oven

Cuisine: International

Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: Easy

Cooking Temp: 200 C

Servings: 4

Estimated Cost: 2.80

Calories: 420

Best Season: all_year_round

Dietary: Contains egg, Contains gluten (spelt), Dairy-Free, High Protein

Description

Spelt flour gives the coating a nuttier bite than plain wheat flour, and the honey-sesame glaze caramelises directly on the bites in the oven so every piece stays crisp on the outside and juicy inside.

Ingredients

Chicken and Coating

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4 cm cubes (patted dry)
80 g whole spelt flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp fine sea salt
0.5 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
2 large eggs (beaten)
3 tbsp sesame seeds (white or mixed) (for coating)
2 tbsp neutral oil (such as sunflower or avocado) (for drizzling)

Honey Sesame Glaze

4 tbsp runny honey
3 tbsp light soy sauce (or tamari)
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch (dissolved in 2 tbsp cold water)

To Finish

1 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black) (for scattering)
2 spring onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare

1
Heat the oven to 200 C / 390 F. Place a wire rack on a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly oil the rack.
2
In a shallow bowl, combine the spelt flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3
Beat the eggs in a second shallow bowl. Place 3 tablespoons of sesame seeds in a third shallow bowl.
4
Working one piece at a time, dredge each chicken cube in the spelt flour mix, shake off any excess, dip in the beaten egg, then press lightly into the sesame seeds. Place on the prepared wire rack.
5
Let the coated bites sit for 5 minutes so the coating firms up slightly on the surface.

Bake

6
Drizzle or lightly brush the tops of the coated chicken bites with the neutral oil.
7
Bake at 200 C / 390 F for 17-18 minutes, until the coating is set and pale golden.

Make the Glaze

8
While the chicken bakes, combine the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey dissolves, about 2 minutes.
9
Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the sesame oil.

Glaze and Finish

10
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using a pastry brush, coat each chicken bite generously with the honey sesame glaze.
11
Return to the oven for 6-8 minutes until the glaze is deep amber and caramelised at the edges. Check that the internal temperature reaches 74 C / 165 F.
12
Scatter the remaining sesame seeds and sliced spring onions over the bites and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 420kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 185mg62%
Sodium 820mg35%
Potassium 480mg14%
Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 14g
Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 280 IU
Vitamin C 3 mg
Calcium 90 mg
Iron 3 mg
Vitamin D 12 IU
Vitamin E 2 mg
Vitamin K 8 mcg
Thiamin 0.3 mg
Riboflavin 0.3 mg
Niacin 10 mg
Vitamin B6 0.7 mg
Folate 35 mcg
Vitamin B12 0.6 mcg
Phosphorus 360 mg
Magnesium 52 mg
Zinc 3 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Additional Notes

Pat chicken completely dry before coating - surface moisture is the main reason coatings slip.
Do not crowd the baking sheet. Leave at least 2 cm between each piece.
Add glaze only in the final 6-8 minutes to prevent scorching.
Rest coated bites for 5 minutes before baking so the spelt flour sets on the surface.
Internal temperature of chicken should reach 74 C / 165 F before glazing.

Keywords: spelt honey sesame chicken bites, baked spelt chicken, honey sesame chicken, spelt flour chicken recipe, crispy baked chicken bites

Equipment

large rimmed baking sheet
wire rack (oven-safe)
three shallow mixing bowls
instant-read thermometer
small saucepan
pastry brush

Tips

Pat the chicken pieces dry before coating so the spelt flour adheres properly and the crust doesn't steam.
Line your baking sheet with a wire rack so air circulates under the bites and the bottom stays crisp.
Apply the honey-sesame glaze only in the final 6-8 minutes of baking to prevent burning from the honey sugars.
Cut chicken pieces to a consistent size (roughly 4 cm cubes) so they cook evenly and no piece finishes before another.
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before scattering them over the finished bites for a deeper, nuttier finish.

Variations

Add 1 tsp chili flakes and 1 tsp rice vinegar to the glaze for a spicy-sweet version.
Swap chicken for firm tofu pieces, pressed dry, for a plant-based version with the same coating and glaze.
Use a mix of spelt flour and panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch on the exterior of each bite.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep them in a single layer if possible so the coating doesn't go soft from trapped moisture.

To reheat, place the bites on a wire rack over a baking sheet and heat at 190 C / 375 F for 8-10 minutes. This brings the coating back to a crisp texture without drying the chicken. A microwave works in a pinch but the coating turns soft.

These bites freeze well before glazing. Coat and bake the chicken, cool completely, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag. Reheat from frozen at 200 C / 390 F for 15 minutes, then apply fresh glaze for the last 5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the bites over plain steamed jasmine rice with sliced spring onions and extra sesame seeds scattered on top. A simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar keeps the plate balanced against the sticky glaze.

For a lighter option, pile the bites into lettuce cups with shredded carrot and a drizzle of the leftover glaze. This works well for a casual dinner or as a starter for four to six people.

If you're serving these at a gathering, stack them on a flat board with small bowls of chili dipping sauce and extra honey on the side. Toothpicks make them easy to pick up without the glaze getting on everyone's hands.

Read it online: https://greatbritishspeltrecipes.com/recipe/spelt-honey-sesame-chicken-bites/

Valentina

A dietitian with a passion for spelt cooking. After trying different diets, I found spelt works best in my kitchen. Join me for simple, delicious recipes that bring out the best in this ancient grain!