Air Fryer Nuggets: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treats

Chicken nuggets are a quick and easy meal to make in the air fryer, taking only a few minutes to cook. Depending on the size and thickness of the nuggets, they can take anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes to cook at temperatures between 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to ensure that the nuggets are in a single layer with space between them so that they cook evenly and get crispy. Preheating the air fryer and flipping the nuggets halfway through cooking can also help ensure perfect results.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the nugget-making process. It ensures your chicken nuggets cook evenly and helps to make the outsides crispy. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for a few minutes before adding the nuggets. This will ensure perfect cooking every time.

Preheating your air fryer is especially important if you are cooking homemade chicken nuggets. If you are cooking frozen chicken nuggets, preheating may not be necessary, depending on your air fryer. However, we recommend that you do preheat your fryer for a few minutes to help get that perfect crispy texture.

If you are making homemade chicken nuggets, remember to give the basket a little shake about halfway through the cooking time for more even cooking. If you are cooking frozen nuggets, you should also flip or shake the basket once during cooking.

Different air fryers have different capacities, so be sure not to overcrowd the basket. Make sure the nuggets are in a single layer so there is enough space for the air to circulate around them. If they are stacked up or overlapping, you will end up with a soggy texture instead of a crispy one. Most air fryers can fit about 14 nuggets, but this will vary depending on the size of your air fryer.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When air-frying chicken nuggets, it's important to remember not to overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate around the nuggets to ensure even cooking and that perfect crispy exterior. If the nuggets are stacked up or overlapping, you'll end up with a soggy texture instead of the desired crispiness.

The number of nuggets that can be cooked at once will depend on the size of your air fryer. For example, a Cosori air fryer can fit about 14 nuggets, while other models may fit more or fewer. If you're cooking a large batch of nuggets, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they're not overcrowded in the basket.

To ensure even cooking and maintain the desired temperature, it's best to cook the nuggets in a single layer, with a little space between each nugget. This will allow the hot air to circulate effectively and prevent the nuggets from sticking together.

If you're cooking for a larger group or want to make a bigger batch, it's better to cook the nuggets in smaller batches rather than overcrowding the basket. This may take a bit more time, but it will ensure that your nuggets turn out crispy and delicious every time.

Remember, the key to successful air-frying is to give your food enough space to cook evenly and prevent sogginess. So, when in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of caution and cook in batches rather than overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Use frozen nuggets, no need to defrost

Using frozen nuggets is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal with almost zero effort. You can use any variety of frozen chicken nuggets, and there's no need to defrost them first. Simply preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (200°C) and then place the nuggets inside in a single layer, making sure they're not overlapping. Depending on the size and thickness of the nuggets, they will take 8-12 minutes to cook. You don't need to add any oil to the air fryer, as the nuggets will release oil during the cooking process.

It's important to keep an eye on your nuggets as they cook, as you don't want them to burn. Some air fryers run hotter than others, so it's a good idea to check on them regularly. You may also need to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Once your nuggets are cooked, they are best served immediately. However, if you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes until heated through.

Using frozen nuggets in an air fryer is a convenient and hassle-free way to enjoy crispy and juicy chicken nuggets. There's no prep work required, and the results are perfect every time. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy meal, this is a great option!

Cook for 8-12 minutes

When cooking chicken nuggets in an air fryer, it is important to remember that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and shape of the nuggets, as well as the model of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook the nuggets for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For optimal results, it is crucial to arrange the nuggets in a single layer, leaving enough space between them for the hot air to circulate. This ensures that the nuggets cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. Overlapping or stacking the nuggets will result in a soggy texture. Most air fryers can fit around 14 nuggets, but the exact number will depend on the size of the appliance.

Before adding the nuggets to the air fryer, preheat the appliance to 375-400°F. This step ensures that the nuggets cook evenly and helps achieve the perfect crispy texture. Additionally, it is not necessary to line or grease the air fryer basket, as there is minimal risk of the frozen nuggets sticking.

During the cooking process, keep a close eye on the nuggets to ensure they don't burn. Different air fryers may run at varying temperatures, so it's important to monitor the cooking process to avoid overcooking. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check the doneness of the nuggets, with an internal temperature of 160-165°F indicating that they are cooked through.

Once the nuggets are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the nuggets to reach a safe temperature for consumption and ensures a pleasant dining experience. Enjoy your freshly cooked chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce!

Serve with your favourite sauce

There are many sauces and dips that go well with chicken nuggets cooked in an air fryer. The most popular choice is ketchup, but you can also try sweet and sour sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, Chick Fil A sauce, teriyaki sauce, hot sauce, or malt vinegar. If you're looking for something different, you could try mustard or ranch dressing.

You can also make your own sauce to accompany your nuggets. For example, Budget Bytes has a recipe for homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, which can be made by whisking together buttermilk, mayonnaise, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

If you're looking for a healthier option, you could try a dip made from Greek yoghurt, like tzatziki. Simply mix Greek yoghurt with cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. This will give you a refreshing dip that goes well with the crispy texture of air-fried chicken nuggets.

For a more adult flavour profile, you could try a spicy blue cheese dip. This can be made by mixing crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. This dip has a tangy, creamy, and spicy flavour that pairs well with the mildness of chicken.

So, whether you're dipping your nuggets into a classic sauce like ketchup or ranch, or trying something new like tzatziki or spicy blue cheese dip, there are plenty of options to choose from to customise your air-fried chicken nugget experience.

Frequently asked questions