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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

    April 26, 2021 | Heather Warburton

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Air fryer chicken nuggets on blue plate and one nugget being dipped in bbq sauce.

    This Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe creates the most tender and crispy chicken bites. A healthier homemade option that is easy, delicious and enjoyed by everyone!

    Who doesn't love chicken nuggets? I know I do and so does the rest of my family. My homemade chicken nuggets made in the air fryer are so much better than the frozen pre-packaged kind and way healthier. Homemade chicken nuggets don't have to be complicated and this recipe will prove it.

    I have fallen in love with this appliance and created some tasty dishes. If you'd like some more air fryer inspiration check out these recipes that we all love: Green Beans, Garlic Parmesan Broccoli, Roasted Chickpeas, Garlic Mushrooms, Zucchini Fries, Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, and Homemade Bagels all made in the air fryer!

    Air fryer chicken nugget being dipped in BBQ sauce.

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Ingredients

    • Chicken Breast, boneless & skinless
    • Buttermilk
    • Paprika
    • Garlic Powder
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Breadcrumbs
    • Whole Wheat Flour
    • Baking Powder
    • Olive Oil Spray

    Substitution Suggestions

    • Buttermilk: For a substitute combine 2 cups of milk with lemon juice or white vinegar.
    • Breadcrumbs: Plain breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs or even Panko crumbs will all work. I like to use plain and season them myself.
    • Whole Wheat Flour: All purpose flour can be substituted.
    • Paprika: Regular paprika is what I usually use, but Smoked Paprika adds another depth of flavor that is really delicious.
    • Olive Oil Spray: This helps get that perfect crispy outside and adds great flavor. However, any neutral cooking spray can be used.

    How to Make Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

    1. Cut the chicken breast into 1½ inch cubes.
    2. Season the chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
    3. Cover the seasoned chicken with buttermilk and marinate for 15 minutes up to a day.
    • Air fryer chicken nuggets ingredients.
    • Diced chicken breast seasoned.
    • Seasoned chicken breast marinating in buttermilk.
    1. Drain the chicken.
    2. In a large bowl or zip top bag, combine breadcrumbs, whole wheat flour, paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, salt and black pepper.
    3. Place chicken bites into breading mix and evenly coat all sides.
    4. Place breaded chicken bites on sheet pan.
    5. Spray both sides of breaded chicken with olive oil.
    • Marinated and seasoned chicken bites being coated in breading.
    • Start of breaded chicken nuggets going on sheet pan.
    • Complete breaded chicken bites ready for air fryer.
    1. Place chicken in 400°F preheat air fryer basket in a single layer.
    2. Cook chicken nuggets in batches for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket half way through.
    3. To keep chicken nuggets warm while the rest finish cooking place the cooked chicken on a sheet pan and keep in a 170°F oven.
    • Breaded chicken bites in air fryer basket sprayed with olive oil.
    • Half way cooked chicken bites in air fryer basket.
    • Completely cooked air fryer chicken nuggets on sheet pan.

    Tips for the Best Chicken Nuggets

    • Cut the chicken pieces of equal size so they will all cook in the same amount of time.
    • Use the olive oil spray, it helps create the crispy coating that has all the flavor.
    • Cook the chicken in single layer batches. Over crowding the basket will create soggy chicken nuggets.
    • For easy breading, add the breading to a zip top bag and shake a few pieces of chicken at time. So much faster and the clean up is way easier.

    Can I make these chicken nuggets ahead of time?

    Yes! Make a huge batch, cook them in the air fryer, and let them cool completely on a sheet pan. Place the sheet pan in the freezer to flash freeze the chicken nuggets. Then place the chicken nuggets in a freezer safe air tight container or zip top bag. Freeze the chicken nuggets until ready to use.

    How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

    Place a layer of these frozen chicken nuggets in a 400°F preheated air fryer basket and heat for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy.

    Can I make these chicken nuggets in the oven?

    Yes, bake the chicken nuggets at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked and 165°F. For extra crispiness flip the chicken bites half way through cooking.

    FAQs About Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    How long do you cook chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

    For this recipe cook the chicken nuggets for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket half way through.

    How long do you cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

    Cook frozen precooked chicken nuggets for 8-10 minutes until heated all the way through and crispy on the outside.

    What temperature do you cook chicken nuggets in air fryer?

    This recipe calls to cook the chicken nuggets in a 400°F preheated air fryer.

    Top view of air fryer chicken nuggets on blue plate with BBQ sauce for dipping.

    More Delicious Chicken Recipes:

    • Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
    • Oven Fried Chicken Legs
    • Chicken Dumpling Soup
    • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
    • Corn Flake Chicken Tenders
    • Crock Pot Pizza Chicken
    • Perfect Roast Chicken
    • Simple Roasted Chicken Breasts
    • Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
    • Chicken Wild Rice Soup
    • Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Nachos
    • Baked Cumin Chicken
    • Chicken and Noodles
    • Bacon Wrapped Cheesy Broccoli Chicken
    • Chicken and Potato Stew
    • Herb Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
    • Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
    Air fryer chicken nuggets on blue plate with BBQ sauce for dipping.
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    4 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

    This Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe creates the most tender and crispy chicken bites. A healthier homemade option that is easy, delicious and enjoyed by everyone!
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer chicken nuggets recipe
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1½ inch cubes
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cups buttermilk

    Breading

    • ½ cup breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup whole wheat flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
    • Pour the buttermilk over the chicken and let marinate for 15 minutes or up to a day in the fridge.
    • Drain the buttermilk from chicken.
    • Combine the breadcrumbs, whole wheat flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl or in zip top bag.
    • Dredge the chicken pieces in the breadcrumbs and place on a sheet pan.
    • Spray both sides of the chicken pieces with olive oil.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
    • Place chicken pieces in a single layer.
    • Cook in batches for 7-8 minutes and shake half way through.
    • Place cooked chicken on a sheet pan and keep warm in a 170°F oven until ready to serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 978mg | Potassium: 740mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 231IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 2mg
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