Air Fryer Keto Chicken Nuggets: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Chicken nuggets are a universally loved snack, but traditional recipes are often loaded with carbs and unhealthy fats from deep frying. This is where the air fryer comes in! You can make keto-friendly chicken nuggets in an air fryer that are not only delicious but also crunchy and crispy. The best part? They are incredibly easy to make and only take a few ingredients.

Choosing your chicken

When it comes to choosing your chicken for keto chicken nuggets, there are a few options to consider. You can use either canned chicken or fresh chicken. If you opt for canned chicken, look for canned chunk chicken breast, which is already cooked and ready to use. Drain the liquid from the can and use a fork or pastry cutter to break down the chicken into shreds. This will give your nuggets a stringy texture.

If you prefer to use fresh chicken, you can choose between chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken tenders are already trimmed to a convenient size, so you'll just need to cut them into three or four pieces to create bite-sized nuggets. With chicken breasts, simply chop them into small, nugget-sized pieces.

Keep in mind that fresh chicken must be cooked thoroughly, so make sure your air fryer is properly preheated to ensure the nuggets are cooked all the way through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to ensure it's cooked safely.

Using chicken as the base of your keto chicken nuggets provides a good source of protein while keeping the carbohydrate count low, making it an excellent choice for a keto-friendly meal.

Preparing the coating

The coating for keto chicken nuggets is what makes them crispy and tasty. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the coating:

Firstly, prepare two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, crack and beat 2-3 eggs. You can use a fork or a whisk to beat the eggs until the yolk and the egg white are well combined. In the second bowl, combine dry ingredients. The exact ingredients may vary depending on your preferences, but here is a list of options:

• Almond flour
• Pork rind crumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the dry ingredients in the second bowl until they are well combined. You can also add other spices and herbs of your choice, such as cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning, to give your nuggets an extra kick.

Now you should have one bowl with beaten eggs and another with the dry coating mixture. It is important to have these ready before you start coating the chicken pieces, to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Dipping and dredging the chicken

Preparing the Chicken:

Before you begin dipping and dredging, ensure your chicken is prepared. For this recipe, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into small, bite-sized pieces. You can also use canned chicken, which is a convenient option as it is already cooked and can save you some time. If using canned chicken, drain the liquid and use a fork or pastry cutter to break it down into shreds.

Preparing the Breading Station:

Set up three shallow bowls for the dipping and dredging process. In the first bowl, add your chosen wet ingredient, which can be beaten eggs or mayonnaise. The wet ingredient will help the dry coating adhere to the chicken. In the second bowl, pour your alternative breading of choice. This could be almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or a combination of both. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese to this mixture for extra flavour. In the third bowl, add another batch of the dry mixture, creating a breading station with two dry and one wet bowl.

Dipping and Dredging:

Now it's time for the fun part! Take each piece of chicken and coat it in the wet ingredient first, followed by the dry mixture. Ensure each piece is evenly and thoroughly coated. Shake off any excess and gently place each nugget on a greased pan or rack, or directly into your air fryer basket if you are cooking in batches.

Cooking the Nuggets:

Once all your chicken pieces are coated, it's time to cook them. Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F (190-200°C). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray and place the basket in the air fryer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Serving and Storing:

Your keto chicken nuggets are now ready to be devoured! Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as keto-friendly ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. These nuggets also pair well with low-carb sides like cauliflower mac and cheese or roasted vegetables.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can quickly reheat them in the air fryer to regain their crispy texture.

Air-frying the chicken

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to 380°F to 400°F and grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2: Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket

Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches.

Step 3: Air-fry the nuggets

Cook the nuggets for 10 to 15 minutes at 380°F, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Check the internal temperature of the chicken

Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

Serve your keto chicken nuggets with your favourite dipping sauces. Some keto-friendly options include keto-friendly ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, hot sauce, and homemade mayonnaise.

Tips for Air-Frying:

• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the nuggets, so adjust the timing as needed.
• For crispier nuggets, add a small spritz of cooking oil halfway through the cooking process.
• If you are cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm by placing it in an oven set to a low temperature, or simply reheat the nuggets in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions

These keto chicken nuggets are perfect for a snack, appetiser, or even a main meal. They are also great for kids and adults alike!

If you're serving these as a snack, you could pair them with some fresh-cut veggie sticks and a dipping sauce like ranch.

For a main meal, try serving them with keto-friendly sides like cauliflower mac and cheese, oven-roasted vegetables, or green beans with bacon. You could also serve them with keto fries, baked cauliflower and cheese, or a keto coleslaw in warmer weather.

Don't forget the dipping sauces! These nuggets go well with keto-friendly options like sugar-free ketchup, BBQ sauce, keto honey mustard, or a low-carb ranch dressing. You could also try roasted garlic aioli, avocado lime dipping sauce, buffalo aioli, or a sugar-free sweet mustard sauce.

And if you're craving something sweet after your meal, why not try some keto-friendly desserts like Oreo chaffles or peanut butter balls?

Frequently asked questions