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    Homepage » Main Dishes » Chicken

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Crispy and Flavorful)

    Published: Oct 24, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 8 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    air fryer chicken nuggets

    This Air Fryer chicken nuggets recipe will become your family's new favorite last-minute meal or a party appetizer! These healthy alternatives to store-bought chicken nuggets are made with real ingredients and aren't deep fried! They are crispy on the outside, tender, moist, and juicy on the inside. Absolutely tasty, and not greasy!

    Today, I want to share another delicious chicken recipe to make for lunch or dinner tonight! This Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is so satisfying, the ultimate comfort food without the guilt.

    This air fried chicken nuggets recipe is definitely the easiest and healthiest way to make homemade chicken nuggets from scratch! It saves time, money, and it saves fat and calories.

    Also, check out this delicious AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS recipe!

    air fryer chicken nuggets

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love Air Fryer This Chicken Nuggets Recipe
    • The Ingredients:
    • How Does an Air Fryer Work:
    • How to Make Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer:
    • CHECK OUT MORE DELICIOUS CHICKEN RECIPES:
    • So here's how to cook chicken nuggets in an air-fryer:
    • How to Freeze Chicken Nuggets:
    • How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love Air Fryer This Chicken Nuggets Recipe

    • Quick and easy. It only takes about 8 minutes to cook the nuggets!
    • Lower in fat and calories. This healthy crispy chicken nuggets recipe involves coating the cubed white meat with breadcrumbs and air "frying" using a mist of cooking spray instead of frying in lots of oil.
    chicken nuggets
    • Healthier and tastier than frozen and fast-food varieties. No Preservatives, No Additives, and No Artificial Ingredients added.

    Now, let's talk about the ingredients and cooking process!

    air fryer chicken nuggets

    The Ingredients:

    To make these chicken nuggets at home, you will need the following ingredients:

    • Chicken breast
    • Panko breadcrumbs for lighter and crunchier tasting fried (oven-fried) food. You can certainly substitute regular or seasoned breadcrumbs for Panko. However, I highly recommend using Panko to give the best crispy breading result.
    Crispy and Healthy Chicken Nuggets
    • Eggs
    • Milk - or use plain water
    • Kosher salt. I put about a tablespoon of salt into the breading mixture. It sounds like a lot but considering you shake off the excess flour, the end result is not salty.
    air fryer chicken nuggets
    • All-purpose flour
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Ground paprika
    • Black pepper
    • Parmesan cheese
    Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    How Does an Air Fryer Work:

    An air fryer is a small, turbo-powered convection oven that cooks the food by blowing hot air around it.

    And, by most measures, air frying is healthier than frying in oil. It cuts calories by 70% to 80% and has a lot less fat. You can learn more about it here.

    How to Make Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer:

    The preparation and cooking process is pretty simple. Here are some important steps to prepare the chicken breast for perfect crispy chicken nuggets:

    • First, you need to remove the extra fat and bones (if any) from the chicken breast then cut into nugget-size pieces.
    breading mix for chicken nuggets
    • Second, prepare the breading mix. You will need 3 medium-sized bowls. In a first bowl, mix the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. In a second bowl, combine the eggs with milk. In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese.
    dredge chicken in flour
    • Third, dredge the chicken in flour until is completely coated on all sides. Shake off excess flour. 
    egg wash
    • Next, dip the chicken in the egg wash
    Chicken Nuggets with Panko breadcrumbs
    • After that, lay the chicken nuggets in the panko bread crumbs, turn it over and press it into the breading to coat.

    To air-fry the chicken nuggets, you need to work in multiple batches. Don't worry these nuggets cook quickly, you don't have to wait long to finish the second batch. while you're waiting, you can make this popular honey mustard dressing.

    CHECK OUT MORE DELICIOUS CHICKEN RECIPES:

    • HEALTHY BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS
    • OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN BREAST
    • CRISPY GRILLED CHICKEN WINGS
    • GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
    • COQ AU VIN (FRENCH CHICKEN IN WINE SAUCE)
    • CHINESE ROASTED CHICKEN WITH A 3-INGREDIENT SPICE RUB)
    • HARISSA CHICKEN RECIPE – OVEN ROASTED!
    • CREAMY CHICKEN MARSALA
    • SLOW COOKER CREAMY CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP
    • GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN (SWEET AND SAVORY DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN)
    • CHICKEN IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE
    • MEDITERRANEAN ROAST CHICKEN WITH VEGGIES
    • THAI BASIL CHICKEN (PAD KRAPOW GAI)
    • PANKO BREADED CHICKEN KATSU

    So here's how to cook chicken nuggets in an air-fryer:

    • First, preheat the air fryer for a few minutes (or follow the instructions and safety precautions in the product manual) and set the temperature to 400°F. In this recipe, I used the Ninja Foodi Digital Fry, Convection Oven, Toaster, Air Fryer, Flip-Away for Storage, with XL Capacity, and a Stainless Steel Finish
    air fryer basket
    • After that, place the well-coated chicken pieces on a lightly greased air fryer basket in a single layer then lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray.
    how to cook with an air fryer
    • Next, cook for about 3-4 minutes then flip the nuggets and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Do not overcook it!
    Air Fryer chicken nuggets

    How to Freeze Chicken Nuggets:

    These breaded chicken nuggets freeze well. Here's how to store the cooked chicken nuggets in the freezer:

    • First, you need to cool them completely. For safety reasons, do not let the cooked chicken sit at room temperature for longer than two hours.
    • Second, place the cooked chicken nuggets in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag.
    • Third, store in the freezer. If properly stored, these nuggets will maintain the best quality for up to 3 months.

    How to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets:

    • Remove the nuggets from the freezer. Do not thaw!
    • Next, once you’re ready to reheat, simply cook air fried chicken nuggets in the preheated air fryer for the recommended time based on your air fryer brand/user manual (they do differ). Flipping halfway through.

    Well, I hope you will enjoy this recipe! If you try it, don’t forget to rate and leave a review on the recipe card/comment box below.

    📖 Recipe

    Air Fryer chicken nuggets
    5 from 6 votes

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    Rika
    This Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is so satisfying, the ultimate comfort food without the guilt. It’s definitely the easiest and healthiest way to make chicken nuggets from scratch!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 351 kcal

    Equipment

    • an Air Fryer
    • cooking spray
    • a pair of kitchen tongs

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound chicken breast, (trim excess fat and cut into nugget-size pieces)

    Flour Dredge:

    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon ground paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 3 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Egg Wash:

    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tablespoon milk

    Breading Mix:

    • 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
    • 6 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes and set the temperature to 400°F.
    • In a shallow bowl, mix all the flour dredge ingredients. Set aside.
      In another shallow bowl, mix the egg wash ingredients. Set aside.
      In a third shallow bowl, combine the breading mix ingredients. Set aside.
    • Dredge the chicken in flour until is completely coated on all sides. Shake off excess.  Dip the chicken in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumbs.
    • Place the well-coated chicken pieces on a lightly greased air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray.
    • Cook for about 3-4 minutes then flip the nuggets and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. 
    • Serve and enjoy with ketchup or this popular honey mustard dressing.

    Notes

    For saltier results, you can add about half of the teaspoon to each of the egg wash and breading mixture. 
    You can find Panko breadcrumbs at any grocery market, such as Trader's Joe, Ralph's/Kroger, Vons, etc. 
    Please keep in mind that the cooking times listed in this recipe are estimated times and may vary slightly based on types of air fryer, nugget, and batch sizes being used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 35gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 2197mgPotassium: 565mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 778IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword air fryer chicken nuggets, chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Chicken

    • Beer Braised Chicken Thighs
    • Breaded Chicken Cutlets
    • Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings
    • Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
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    1. Beth

      October 27, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! These look so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to make these for dinner tonight! My family is going to love these!

      Reply
    2. Tisha

      October 27, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      I really really need to get an airfryer! I've heard nothing but good things about them, and making homemade nuggets?? I'm all about that!

      Reply
      • Rika

        December 06, 2020 at 8:35 pm

        I think you should! You're going to love it!

    3. Tara

      October 27, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Such a beautiful coating on these chicken nuggets! I love the spices you added to the flour mixture too.

      Reply
      • Rika

        December 06, 2020 at 8:36 pm

        Thanks, Tara!

    4. Jessica Formicola

      October 27, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      I've been loving my air fryer lately!

      Reply
      • Rika

        December 06, 2020 at 8:37 pm

        Same! It's a useful kitchen appliance!

    5. Jacque

      October 27, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      I have everything to make these and they will be getting made tonight. I can’t wait to see how crispy and flavorful the nuggets come out. Now if I could only reach my air fryer 😂

      Reply

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