Air-Fryer Dino Nuggets: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Dino nuggets are a fun and tasty meal option for kids and adults alike. Whether you're serving them at a gathering or making a quick weeknight dinner, dino nuggets cooked in an air fryer are sure to be a hit. In this guide, we'll teach you how to make delicious, crispy dino nuggets in just a few simple steps. So get ready to become the ultimate dino nugget chef!

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your dino nuggets are cooked evenly and efficiently. By preheating your air fryer to 400°F, you create the ideal temperature environment for your nuggets to turn out crispy and delicious.

Depending on the model of your air fryer, preheating can be done by simply setting the temperature to 400°F and waiting a few minutes, or you may need to press a preheat button. Check your air fryer's instructions to familiarise yourself with the preheating process.

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a crucial step as it ensures the appliance is at the optimal temperature for cooking your dino nuggets. This temperature is high enough to create a crispy exterior while ensuring the nuggets are cooked evenly throughout.

While preheating, you can also prepare your dino nuggets. Take them out of the freezer and arrange them in a single layer on a plate or tray. This ensures they are ready to go into the air fryer as soon as it reaches the desired temperature.

Once your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you can carefully place the nuggets inside, ensuring they don't overlap and there is space for the hot air to circulate. This will help achieve that perfect crispiness.

In summary, preheating your air fryer to 400°F is a critical step in the cooking process, ensuring your dino nuggets turn out crispy and delicious. By taking the time to preheat, you create the ideal cooking environment for your nuggets to cook evenly and efficiently.

Spritz the air fryer basket with oil spray

Spritzing the air fryer basket with oil spray is an important step in ensuring your dino nuggets turn out crispy and delicious. While it may be tempting to skip this step, especially if your air fryer basket has a non-stick coating, adding a thin coat of oil can make a big difference in the final texture of your nuggets.

When spritzing the basket, it is important to use an oil spray that is suitable for air fryers. Avoid using aerosol non-stick sprays, as these can contain chemicals that may damage your air fryer basket over time. Instead, opt for a mister filled with your favourite cooking oil, such as olive oil or canola oil. This will help to ensure the longevity of your air fryer while still providing the benefits of oil to the cooking process.

As you spritz the basket, be sure to hold the oil spray about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the surface. This will ensure an even and light coating, preventing the oil from pooling in certain areas. A light coating of oil is all that is needed to achieve the desired effect.

In addition to spritzing the basket, you can also choose to spritz the dino nuggets themselves with oil spray before placing them in the air fryer. This will help to ensure an even crispiness across the surface of the nuggets. However, this step is optional, and you may find that your nuggets come out crispy enough without the extra spritz.

Arrange the nuggets with space between them

When arranging the nuggets in the air fryer basket, it's important to leave some space between them. This is to ensure that the hot air can circulate properly and crisp up the breading. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit about 14-16 nuggets in a single layer. Aim to arrange them so that they don't touch each other or the sides of the basket. There can be small gaps, but try to leave a noticeable gap nonetheless.

If you're using a basket air fryer with a nonstick coating, you may not need to coat it with anything before placing the nuggets. However, if you want to prevent sticking, you can use an olive oil cooking spray or place a piece of parchment paper under the nuggets for easy cleanup. Spritzing the basket with oil spray can also help the nuggets crisp up on the outside.

Arranging the nuggets with space between them is key to ensuring even cooking and that desirable crispy texture. It's a simple step, but it makes all the difference in achieving the perfect dino nuggets!

Air fry for 8-10 minutes

Now it's time to air fry your dino nuggets! Place them in the air fryer and set the timer for 8-10 minutes. Make sure you've left some space between each nugget so that the hot air can circulate and give you that all-important crispy texture. Flip the nuggets after 4 minutes for the best results.

While the nuggets are cooking, you can prepare some sauces to go with them. Honey mustard is a great choice, with a slight sweetness that pairs perfectly with the crispy chicken. Or, for a little spice, try some hot sauce—but be careful, or your dino nuggets might become dragon nuggets! If you're serving these to kids, you might want to stick to ketchup or BBQ sauce.

In just 8-10 minutes, your nuggets will be cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavour. Serve them up with your chosen sauces and enjoy!

Reheat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes

Reheating dino nuggets in an air fryer is simple and quick. If you have some leftover dino nuggets that you want to reheat, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around them for the air to circulate. Set your air fryer to 350°F and let the nuggets cook for 2 to 3 minutes. This should be enough time to warm them through.

If you're reheating refrigerated dino nuggets, this method will ensure they are heated through without overcooking. You can also reheat dino nuggets in a microwave or a conventional oven, but the air fryer method is a healthier option than microwaving and faster than using an oven.

Reheating dino nuggets in an air fryer is a convenient way to bring leftovers back to life. It's also a great way to ensure your nuggets are crispy and warm all the way through. So, if you have some leftover dino nuggets, don't throw them away – pop them in the air fryer and enjoy them like they're fresh out of the freezer!

You can also reheat dino nuggets using other methods, such as in a microwave or a conventional oven. However, the air fryer method is a happy medium, as it is healthier than microwaving and faster than using an oven. Plus, it helps you achieve that desirable crispiness.

Frequently asked questions