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

Chicken nuggets are a popular snack or side dish, often cooked in an oven or deep-fat fryer. However, it is possible to cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer, which is an energy-efficient way to achieve a crispy coating while keeping the meat juicy. This method is also healthier than deep-frying and cheaper than buying fast food. To make chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you will need to cut chicken breast into small pieces, coat them in a breading mixture, and cook them in batches in the air fryer.

How to cut chicken breast into nuggets

To cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you should first cut the chicken breast into 3/4 inch pieces. You should get approximately 20-24 chicken nuggets depending on the size of your chicken breast. Next, marinate the chicken pieces in a bowl or ziplock bag with pickle juice for 30 minutes.

Then, make the breading by adding flour, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chilli powder, salt and baking powder to a ziplock bag. Add milk and an egg to a separate bowl and mix together. Remove the chicken from the pickle marinade and add to the bowl with the egg mixture.

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. You can cook the chicken nuggets in 2 batches if needed. Spray the chicken with cooking spray and air fry for 6 minutes. Open the air fryer, flip the chicken pieces, and spray the tops again with cooking spray. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees and cook for 2 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through.

Now, for cutting the chicken breast into nuggets, you should first trim off the fat from the chicken breast. Then, cut the chicken into nugget-sized pieces. You can also cut them into chicken tenders if you prefer.

How to make the breading

To make the breading for your chicken nuggets, you'll need to combine flour, powdered sugar, paprika, black pepper, chilli powder, salt, and baking powder in a ziplock bag. You can also add garlic powder if you like. Add milk and an egg to a separate bowl and mix together. Cut the chicken breast into 3/4 inch pieces and sprinkle with salt. Next, sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. You can then add the chicken to the bowl with the egg mixture.

After coating the chicken in the egg mixture, you'll need to prepare your breadcrumbs. Add breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt to a bowl. Mix the seasoning into the breadcrumbs. You can also add cooking oil to the breadcrumbs and stir until the oil is evenly coating them.

Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mix, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Set aside on a tray. You can then cook the chicken in your air fryer.

How to preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken nuggets cook evenly and get crispy on the outside. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to preheat your air fryer for cooking chicken nuggets:

• Set the temperature: Depending on the recipe you're following, set your air fryer to the desired temperature. For chicken nuggets, the ideal temperature range is between 360-400°F (or 200°C).
• Allow time for preheating: Just like a conventional oven, your air fryer needs time to reach the set temperature. Most air fryers will have a preheat function or a preheat light that indicates when it's ready. Refer to your air fryer's user manual to understand its specific preheat function.
• Prepare the basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the chicken nuggets from sticking.
• Place the basket inside: Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, carefully place the basket inside. Ensure that the basket is properly secured and positioned correctly.
• Adjust settings (if needed): Some air fryers may require you to adjust the cooking time and temperature settings after preheating. Check your air fryer's instructions to see if any adjustments are necessary.
• Wait for the preheat signal: Your air fryer will typically indicate when it has finished preheating. This could be through an audible beep, a flashing light, or a display notification. Refer to your air fryer's user manual to understand its specific signals.

By following these steps, you'll ensure your air fryer is properly preheated and ready to cook your chicken nuggets to perfection.

How to cook the chicken nuggets

First, cut the chicken breast into 3/4 inch pieces. You should get approximately 20-24 chicken nuggets depending on the size of your chicken breast. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp of salt evenly over the chicken pieces. Next, sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.

In a small bowl, add the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix the seasoning into the breadcrumbs. Next, add the cooking oil to the breadcrumbs and stir until the oil is evenly coating the breadcrumbs.

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the basket. You can cook the chicken nuggets in 2 batches if needed. Spray the bottom of the fry basket with nonstick cooking spray and place half of the chicken pieces into a single layer in the bottom of the basket, spacing them out so they aren't touching. Generously spray the top of each piece of chicken with cooking spray.

Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces to the other side, and spray the tops again with cooking spray. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook for 2-4 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through.

Remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let cool for 3-5 minutes, then serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

How to serve the chicken nuggets

Once your chicken nuggets are cooked, you can serve them with your favourite dipping sauce. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, and ranch are all popular options, but you can choose whatever you like best. You could also add them to a salad if you want to make a more substantial meal.

If you are serving the chicken nuggets as a snack, you might want to provide a variety of dips and sauces for your guests to choose from. In addition to the sauces mentioned above, you could also offer honey mustard, sweet and sour, or even a spicy buffalo sauce.

For a more casual gathering, you could simply place the nuggets on a large platter or in a bowl, with some napkins and a selection of dips on the side. If you're serving them as part of a meal, you could plate them individually with a side of fries or a salad, and a small pot of sauce for dipping.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven until they are crispy again, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions