Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken nuggets are a universally loved food, enjoyed by both children and adults. They are usually deep-fried, but air frying is a healthier alternative that yields the same crispy texture without drying out the chicken. Air-fried chicken nuggets are also quicker and easier to make, with less cleanup required. You can make them from scratch or cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer.

Chicken nugget air fryer temperature

The optimal temperature to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer is between 375°F and 400°F. This temperature range will ensure your chicken nuggets are cooked through and have a crispy exterior.

Preheating

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken nuggets. This will help ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes at the desired temperature before adding the nuggets.

Cooking Time

The cooking time for chicken nuggets in an air fryer will vary depending on the size and type of nuggets you are using. Smaller nuggets will need less time, while larger ones may need up to 12 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on your nuggets to ensure they do not burn.

Internal Temperature

To ensure your chicken nuggets are fully cooked, it is best to use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature. The internal temperature of the nuggets should reach 160°F to 165°F.

Tips for Success

• Give the nuggets space: Ensure the nuggets are in a single layer in the air fryer basket with enough space for the hot air to circulate. This will help prevent sogginess and ensure even cooking.
• Shake the basket: For more even cooking, give the air fryer basket a little shake about halfway through the cooking time.
• Avoid overcrowding: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Flip the nuggets: If your nuggets are overlapping in the basket, try flipping them at the 5-minute mark to ensure all sides get crispy.

Reheating

To reheat chicken nuggets in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and place the nuggets in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air fryer chicken nugget cooking time

The cooking time for chicken nuggets in an air fryer will depend on whether they are fresh or frozen, and whether they are homemade or store-bought.

Frozen chicken nuggets

Frozen chicken nuggets can be cooked straight from the freezer. There is no need to thaw them first. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) first, but this is not necessary if your air fryer does not require preheating. The cooking time will be between 5 and 12 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 160-165°F (74°C). It is important to ensure that the nuggets are in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with space between them, so that they cook evenly.

Fresh chicken nuggets

Fresh, homemade chicken nuggets should be cooked in a single layer at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Again, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer first.

Store-bought fresh chicken nuggets

Store-bought fresh chicken nuggets should be cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 8-9 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket once.

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Flour
• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Oil
• Buttermilk
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Method

• Cut the chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces.
• Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and oil.
• Dip each nugget first in flour, then in egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the coated nuggets in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tops of the nuggets with oil.
• Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also check if they're done using a meat thermometer—they should have an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.

Tips

• You can use frozen chicken nuggets—just add a few minutes to the cooking time.
• You don't need to thaw frozen nuggets before air frying.
• If your nuggets are overlapping in the air fryer, you may need to flip them halfway through so that all sides get crispy.
• For extra flavour, try adding spices like cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder to the breadcrumb mixture.

Can you put frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer. In fact, cooking frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer is one of the easiest things you can do with the appliance. It's also quicker than cooking them in an oven, and you'll get a perfect crispy exterior and a juicy center.

There's no need to defrost the chicken nuggets before adding them to the air fryer. Simply take them out of the box and put them into the air fryer straight from the freezer. Make sure you place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the wire rack, with space between each nugget so they don't touch.

Preheat the air fryer to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (around 200 degrees Celsius). If your air fryer doesn't require preheating, skip this step. Then, air fry the chicken nuggets for between 5 and 15 minutes, until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

You don't need to add oil to the air fryer, and there's no need to flip the chicken nuggets halfway through—unless you're using a solid tray or pan, in which case you should flip them to ensure an even crisp.

Can you reheat chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat chicken nuggets in an air fryer. In fact, it is the best way to reheat them if you want to maintain their texture and flavour.

To reheat chicken nuggets in your air fryer, place them in a single layer on the air fryer rack or in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer has a reheat function, use this for a few minutes until they are heated through. If not, use the air fryer setting at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.

If you are reheating frozen chicken nuggets, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place them in the air fryer straight from the freezer. They are, after all, already pre-cooked, so you are just heating them up to be crispy. Depending on the size and thickness of the nuggets, they will take between 8-12 minutes to heat through and become crispy.

If you are reheating chicken nuggets you have cooked yourself in the air fryer, it should only take 2-3 minutes to reheat them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Frequently asked questions