Air-Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treats

Chicken nuggets are a universally loved food, and making them in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy them. The air fryer method cuts down on calories and fat compared to deep-fried nuggets, and it's also faster and easier to clean up. You can use either fresh or frozen chicken, and the cooking time will be around 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your nuggets and your air fryer. For best results, preheat your air fryer, cook the nuggets in a single layer, and give the basket a shake halfway through.

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Ingredients

To make chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Eggs
• Oil (neutral, like olive or vegetable oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Spices/seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, dried parsley)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps

• Cut the chicken into nugget-sized pieces. For even cooking, try to make the nuggets roughly the same size.
• Prepare three separate bowls for dredging: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, and any desired spices/seasonings.
• If using parmesan cheese, add it to the breadcrumb mixture. You can also add a small amount of oil to help the breading stick to the chicken and crisp up.
• Dip each chicken piece into the flour, then the egg, and finally coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the breaded chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each nugget to allow hot air to circulate. You may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Spray the tops of the nuggets with oil.
• Air fry the chicken nuggets for 8-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your nuggets.
• Remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

• You can also use frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F and cook the frozen nuggets for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• To reheat leftover chicken nuggets, preheat the air fryer to 375-380°F and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
• You can also make chicken tenders using the same method, just cut the chicken into tender-sized pieces instead of nuggets.

How to reheat chicken nuggets in an air fryer

The air fryer is the quickest way to reheat chicken nuggets while preserving their crunchiness. Reheating them in the microwave can make them rubbery, and even conventional ovens won't restore their former crispness.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360–400°F (180–200°C). Some sources suggest that preheating is unnecessary, but it's a good idea if you want your chicken nuggets to cook evenly.

Prepare the Chicken Nuggets

Brush the chicken nuggets with a tiny bit of oil and spread them out in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren't overlapping or overcrowded, as this will ensure the hot air can circulate and crisp up the nuggets.

Reheat the Chicken Nuggets

Air fry your chicken nuggets at 360–400°F (180–200°C) for 3–5 minutes, or until heated through. Check to make sure they are hot enough, and add more time as needed. It's important to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) so that they are safe to consume.

Tips

• The cook time may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer and the size of the chicken nuggets.
• If you are reheating frozen chicken nuggets, arrange them in a single layer and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes.
• It's best not to store reheated chicken nuggets. Reheat only as much as you will finish, as reheating the same food multiple times is not recommended.

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer using frozen chicken

Ingredients

• Frozen chicken nuggets
• Your favourite dipping sauce (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Tongs

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Air fry for 8 to 12 minutes. If you want a less crispy nugget, check on them at the 8-minute mark. If you prefer them extra crispy, add a few extra minutes, but do not cook for more than 12 minutes in total.
• Flip or shake the basket once halfway through the cooking time.
• Remove the cooked chicken nuggets from the basket using tongs and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips

• There is no need to defrost the chicken before adding it to the air fryer.
• You do not need to add oil to the air fryer.
• Different air fryers may require preheating, so check your model.
• The air frying time will vary depending on the size of the nuggets, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.
• The best way to determine that the nuggets are cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should be 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer without breadcrumbs

Chicken nuggets are a beloved meal for both children and adults. They are a universal food that can be made healthier and cheaper at home. Here is a recipe for how to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer without breadcrumbs.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• All-purpose flour
• Buttermilk
• Oil
• Spices (e.g. garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, dried parsley)
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, egg, panko breadcrumbs

Method:

First, cut the chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces. You can decide how big or small you want your nuggets to be, but they should be evenly sized to ensure they cook evenly.

Next, season the chicken with your chosen spices. You can use salt and pepper, and other spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or dried parsley. Sprinkle the spices evenly over the chicken pieces and toss to coat.

Then, prepare your dredging station. In one bowl, add the all-purpose flour. In another bowl, add the buttermilk. You can also add spices to the buttermilk to enhance the flavour. Line up your chicken pieces, buttermilk, and flour.

Now, dip the chicken pieces in the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, and then coat them in the flour. Set the coated chicken pieces aside.

If you want to add a crispy coating to your nuggets, you can dip them in beaten egg and then dredge them in panko breadcrumbs and/or grated Parmesan cheese. This will give your nuggets an extra crunchy texture.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Spray the tops of the chicken nuggets with oil and air fry for around 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping the nuggets halfway through.

Once the nuggets are cooked to a crispy, golden brown colour, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cooking in batches will ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts, but the cook time may vary.
• You can freeze cooked chicken nuggets and reheat them in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.
• Serve your chicken nuggets with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or sweet and sour sauce.

Enjoy your homemade chicken nuggets!

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer without flour

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional)
• 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 2 pinches red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 pinches dried parsley (optional)

Instructions:

• Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch pieces.
• In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with the beaten egg, salt, and pepper until well combined.
• Sprinkle all-purpose flour on top of the chicken and toss to coat. (This step is optional if you want to make the nuggets without flour.)
• In a shallow bowl, stir together the panko, parmesan, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
• For an even coating, briefly grind the parmesan in a small food processor if it is coarsely shredded.
• Dredge each chicken piece in the panko-parmesan mixture, turning and pressing to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• Place half of the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, spacing them evenly. Spray a generous amount of non-stick cooking spray on top.
• Cook for 5 minutes, then open the basket, flip the nuggets, spray again, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until cooked through.
• Repeat the process with the remaining nuggets.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, ketchup, marinara, or barbecue sauce.

Tips:

• For a spicier version, add some cayenne pepper to the mixture.
• For an Italian twist, add dried oregano to the bread crumb mixture.
• For a Mexican twist, add taco seasoning to the mixture.

Frequently asked questions