Air-Fried Chicken Nuggets: A Quick, Easy Treat

Chicken nuggets are a popular food item, especially among children, but they are often deep-fried and unhealthy. However, with an air fryer, you can make delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken nuggets with less fat and calories. Air-fried chicken nuggets are also easier to prepare and result in less mess. You can use a variety of ingredients for the coating, including breadcrumbs, flour, eggs, spices, and cheese, and you can dip them in sauces like honey mustard or BBQ sauce. They can also be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.

Chicken breast, breadcrumbs, and spices

Ingredients

You will need:

• Chicken breasts
• Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
• Spices (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper)
• Oil (olive, canola, or vegetable)
• Eggs
• Milk or milk alternatives (water, pickle juice, milk alternative, Greek yoghurt)

Method

• Cut the chicken breasts into 3/4-inch pieces or thin strips.
• Sprinkle salt over the chicken pieces.
• Add flour and toss to coat evenly.
• Prepare the breading by mixing breadcrumbs with your chosen spices in a shallow dish.
• Drizzle oil over the chicken and distribute it evenly.
• Dip the chicken pieces in the egg mixture and then into the breading, ensuring they are well coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F-400°F (200°C).
• Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.
• Check if the chicken is cooked by cutting into a piece or using a kitchen thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C-75°C).

Tips

• For maximum crispiness, brush or drizzle the chicken with oil before placing in the air fryer.
• You can also brine the chicken beforehand by dissolving 2 tablespoons of salt in 2 cups of room-temperature water and letting the chicken sit in this solution for at least 15 minutes. Then, rinse and pat dry before proceeding with the recipe.
• If you prefer a thicker breading, double-dip the chicken in the egg mixture and breadcrumbs.
• You can also add Parmesan cheese to the breading for extra flavour.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade chicken nuggets with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, or sweet red chili sauce.

They also go well with:

• Salads
• Tortilla shells with fresh toppings
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Macaroni and cheese
• Buffalo sauce (for a boneless wing option)

How to make the coating

Making the coating for your chicken nuggets is simple. You will need three bowls for the flour, egg, and breading mixtures.

In the first bowl, place some plain flour. You can use wholemeal flour for added nutrition. In the second bowl, crack an egg and beat it. You can also add some milk to the egg mixture. In the third bowl, mix your breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs will give your chicken nuggets a thicker and crispier coating. For extra flavour, add some grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs.

Now you are ready to coat your chicken pieces. First, dip the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, turn the chicken in the egg mixture. Finally, roll the chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick.

How to prep the chicken

Preparing the chicken is a straightforward process and is very similar to the steps you would take to make regular chicken nuggets.

First, you will need to cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. You can also use chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs if you prefer.

Next, you will need to set up three bowls for dredging the chicken pieces. In the first bowl, place some plain flour (you can also use wholemeal flour for added nutrition). The flour will help the wet mixture adhere to the chicken. In a second bowl, whisk together some eggs and milk (or just eggs). In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with your choice of seasonings. For extra crispy nuggets, use panko breadcrumbs. You can also add Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to taste.

Now you are ready to bread the chicken pieces. First, coat them in the flour (shaking off any excess), then dip them in the egg mixture, and finally, roll them in the seasoned breadcrumbs. You can also double-dredge the chicken for an extra thick coating by repeating the process a second time. Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces with oil and they are ready to be cooked!

How to assemble the nuggets

To assemble the chicken nuggets, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, prepare three separate bowls for the flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixtures. For the flour mixture, combine flour with salt and pepper in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk (or buttermilk). Finally, prepare the breadcrumb mixture by mixing the breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese, salt, and oil in a large bowl. You can also add spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour.

Now that your mixtures are ready, it's time to coat the chicken pieces. Start by dipping the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it's well-coated. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so that the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Once all the chicken pieces are breaded, it's time to place them in the air fryer. Generously grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. Place the chicken nuggets in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches. Spray the tops of the nuggets with oil or cooking spray for extra crispness.

How to cook the nuggets

• Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces roughly the same size so that they cook evenly.
• Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with a mixture of egg and milk, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with spices and/or grated Parmesan cheese.
• Dip each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
• Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Spray the tops with oil.
• Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. If your air fryer basket is not big enough to fit all the nuggets in a single layer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Note: It is recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken. This will help the nuggets cook evenly and get crispy on the outside.

Frequently asked questions