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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Crispy and Flavorful)

4.86 from 7 votes

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

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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:

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

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

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!
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
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:

Egg Wash:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoon milk

Breading Mix:

  • 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
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Comments

    4.86 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beth says

    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!

  2. Tisha says

    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!

    • Rika says

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

  3. Tara says

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

    • Rika says

      Thanks, Tara!

  4. Jessica Formicola says

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

    • Rika says

      Same! It's a useful kitchen appliance!

  5. Jacque says

    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 😂