Air-Fryer Nuggets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken nuggets are a staple in many households, especially those with children. They are a quick and easy meal to make, and even more so when cooked in an air fryer. You can use any brand of frozen chicken nuggets, and they will turn out crispy and delicious. The air fryer also makes the nuggets crispier than other cooking methods, without the need for heavy oil. It is also a healthier alternative to deep-fried or fast-food chicken nuggets.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the nugget-making process. It ensures your chicken cooks evenly and gets crispy on the outside. A preheated air fryer will also help you achieve that perfect, golden brown colour.

Different air fryers have different preheating requirements. Some air fryers require preheating, while others do not. If your air fryer falls into the former category, set the temperature to 400°F and let it preheat for a few minutes. If your air fryer does not require preheating, simply skip this step and move on to cooking your nuggets.

It is worth noting that the preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model. So, it is always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's instructions manual to determine the optimal preheating time and temperature for your specific device.

By preheating your air fryer, you create the ideal environment for your chicken nuggets to cook evenly and attain that desirable crispy texture and appealing golden colour.

Use frozen chicken nuggets

Using frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy texture and tender centre. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (206 degrees Celsius). Some air fryers don't require preheating, so check your model's instructions.

Next, place your frozen chicken nuggets into the air fryer basket or tray. Ensure they are in a single layer with space between them, so the hot air can circulate and crisp up all sides. Avoid stacking or overlapping the nuggets, as this will lead to an uneven cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches.

Now, it's time to cook your nuggets. Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes. Check your nuggets at the 8-minute mark. If you want them crispier, add a few more minutes, but don't cook for more than 12 minutes in total.

Once they're cooked to your liking, remove the nuggets from the air fryer using tongs. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.

And that's it! A quick, easy, and delicious snack or meal, ready in under 15 minutes. Enjoy!

No need to add oil

Making chicken nuggets in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken nuggets. The air fryer requires a small amount of oil or even no oil at all, making it a cleaner option as well.

When making chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you can choose to skip the oil altogether. The air fryer will still give you that crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

If you don't want to add oil, it is important to remember to:

• Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken nuggets in a single layer, leaving space around each nugget to allow hot air to circulate. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
• Flip the chicken nuggets halfway through the cooking time. This will ensure that both sides of the nuggets get crispy.

Oil alternatives

If you want to add something to the chicken nuggets to enhance the crispiness, there are alternatives to oil that you can try:

• Olive oil cooking spray: Spraying the breaded chicken with olive oil spray will help achieve a crispy texture.
• Brushing or drizzling olive oil: If you don't have cooking spray, you can gently brush or drizzle the chicken nuggets with olive oil.

Don't overcrowd the basket

When making chicken nuggets in an air fryer, it's important to not overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate around the nuggets to ensure even cooking and that desirable crispy texture. If the nuggets are overlapping or stacked, you'll end up with a soggy texture instead of crispy.

The number of nuggets you can fit in your air fryer will depend on the size of your appliance and the nuggets themselves. For example, a Cosori air fryer can fit about 14 nuggets, but this will vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the size and shape of the nuggets.

To avoid overcrowding, cook the nuggets in batches if necessary. It's better to cook them in a single layer with space between each nugget. This will ensure they cook evenly and have that perfect crispy exterior.

If you're cooking a lot of nuggets or have a smaller air fryer, work in batches to avoid overcrowding. You can also try adding in some frozen french fries to cook at the same time, but be mindful of the space in the basket and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Flip halfway through

Flipping the chicken nuggets halfway through the air frying process is a matter of preference. If you are using an air fryer basket with holes or a wire rack, the hot air will circulate well enough to crisp both the top and bottom without flipping. However, if you are using a solid tray or pan, you should flip them to achieve the same level of crispiness on all sides.

If you are cooking chicken nuggets and fries together in the air fryer, you will need to flip the nuggets after the first 7 minutes, then check them again at the 12-minute mark. If the nuggets are crispy enough for your liking, take them out and let the fries cook for another few minutes.

For more even cooking, give the basket a little shake about halfway through the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions