Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
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Learn how to make air fryer chicken nuggets that are truly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They are perfect for adults and kiddos alike!
Chicken nuggets are a universally loved food that both adults and children truly adore. While my family and I don’t really consume fast food nuggets regularly, my air fryer chicken nuggets recipe is a weekly staple. Compared to fast food, it’s far healthier and quicker, and clean-up is a breeze. Paired with my air fryer French fries or air fryer sweet potato fries, they make the ultimate takeout fakeout meal.
After testing batch after batch (my air fryer has seen its fair share of nuggets now…), I found the trick to making them extra crispy without drying them out: a blend of panko breadcrumbs AND flour in the coating. The panko helps the outside brown and crisp beautifully, while the flour locks in all the juiciness.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Healthier. No deep frying is needed, so you already cut a ton of calories and fat compared to traditional nuggets. I also use breast meat instead of off-cuts, too!
- Less cleanup. You’ll only need a few bowls to coat the chicken in batter and your air fryer basket. No messy deep fryer is needed.
- Perfectly crisp and juicy. The air fryer creates a perfect balance of crispy coating without drying out the chicken. The texture is extra juicy in the middle, which is what we all want!
- Works with frozen chicken. Because I make these nuggets for my family almost every week, I often prepare a triple batch and freeze the prepped chicken nuggets. When dinnertime rolls around, I just throw them in the air fryer.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Excellent! I used breast meat, which normally will dry out. This did not. They were juicy and actually were nicely cooked and golden brown in just 10 minutes.” – Bill
“These chicken nuggets are so delicious and well worth the prep time! I made a “dipping sauce” with mayo, ketchup, and some Worcestershire sauce, and I can’t wait to have this meal again!” – Susan
Ingredients needed
- Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are best. Cut them into nugget shapes (around 1 1/2 inches wide). If you can’t find chicken breasts, you can use tenderloins or tenders instead.
- Panko breadcrumbs. For the crispy coating. I tested these with regular breadcrumbs too, but found panko to be superior in both terms of crunch and flavor.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated for added flavor and also enhances the crispiness.
- Salt. To taste.
- Oil. A small amount of oil is needed to mix into the breading to help it stick to the chicken pieces and crisp up beautifully. Any neutral oil, like olive oil or vegetable oil, works.
- Flour. For dredging the nuggets. The flour traps in the juices, keeping the middle of the chicken moist.
- Eggs. To bind the breading to the nuggets.
How to make air fryer chicken nuggets
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the coating. In a large bowl, add the panko, parmesan cheese, salt, and oil and mix. In a second bowl, add the flour, and in a third bowl, add the beaten eggs.
Step 2- Prep: Dip the chicken breast pieces in the flour, shake off the excess, and dip them in the egg, then coat them in the panko mix. Press firmly to make sure the panko sticks to the nuggets.
Step 3- Assemble. Place the breaded nuggets in a greased air fryer basket. Ensure they are not overlapping. Spray the tops with spray oil.
Step 4- Air fry the chicken nuggets for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Can I bake these?
Yes! If you’d prefer to make baked chicken nuggets, you can do so with one simple swap.
First, prepare the chicken nuggets as instructed, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Next, bake them in a preheated oven set to 200°C/400°F for 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use a meat thermometer. I find this a surefire way to guarantee fully cooked nuggets. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make the nuggets the same size. This ensures they cook evenly and completely.
- Switch up the spice mix. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, oregano, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder are all great options for adding more flavor to your nuggets.
- Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets. If using frozen breaded nuggets, just let them cook for a few minutes longer than fresh. No thawing is needed.
Frequently asked questions
If your nuggets are in an even layer in the air fryer basket, you shouldn’t need to flip them. When I tested batches with slight overlap, though, I found flipping at the 5-minute mark gave a more consistent golden crust on all sides.
Yes, they can be! Just swap in gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko. I’ve tested this using a couple of popular gluten-free brands (I love Bob’s Red Mill) and the coating crisped up just as well as the classic version- so celiacs and gluten-sensitive eaters won’t miss out.
To air-fry frozen chicken nuggets, simply add them to the preheated air fryer and air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking once halfway through.
Yes, and I do this often. Once the nuggets are breaded, place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer. When ready to cook, simply cook them from frozen. Just increase the air frying time by 2-3 minutes.
Serving ideas
Chicken nuggets are really just a vessel for dipping sauce. Here are some of my favorite homemade sauces to get you started:
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover chicken nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
To reheat: Either put them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes or pop them in a preheated oven. Avoid using the microwave, as it can cause the chicken to lose its crispiness.
To freeze: Let the nuggets cool before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut into nuggets
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a mixing bowl, add the panko, parmesan cheese and salt, and oil, and mix until combined. In another bowl add the flour and in a third, add the beaten eggs.
- Dip the chicken in the flour, shake off the excess, dip it in the egg, then coat with the panko mix, pressing firmly for it to stick on. Repeat the process until all the chicken is coated.
- Generously grease the air fryer basket. In a single layer, add the chicken nuggets.
- Spray the tops of the chicken nuggets and air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy. You can also check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, it's ready to enjoy.
Excellent! I wish I had used a bit of salt and or pepper in the first round of nuggets in the fryer. I used breast meat which normally will dry out. This did not. They were juicy and actually were nicely cooked and golden brown in just 10 minutes.
These chicken nuggets are so delicious and well worth the prep time!
I made a “dipping sauce” with mayo, ketchup, and some Worcestershire sauce and I can’t wait to have this meal again!
Yum!! What a dipping sauce 🙂
This is an excellent recipe.WOW
Thanks, Bill.
These turned out better than expected! I halved the recipe and only had this Hot/sweet panko made by Progresso, I will for sure make these again!!! Delicious, thank you!!!!
Seriously the best air fryer chicken nuggets recipe EVER. So crispy and juicy.
Okay, I just made these air fryer chicken nuggets and they are too delicious for words!!!
Do you think I could freeze these prepped but uncooked (raw)?
Yes!! I often do this!! 🙂 Increase the air frying time by 3-4 minutes to compensate and air fry from frozen.
Thank you! Will be making for my son in college, he can store in freezer. 🙂
Wow this reminds me of Mcdonalds haha. And its not umhealthy!
I never made chicken nuggets as they are so “caloric”. But from air fryer it should be so good!
Wow looks like they are deep fried but actually no! So crunchy must be!
Wow looks like they are deep fried but actually no!
I’m trying to have more healthier food options so…
I just made these chicken nuggets for lunch.
Well worth it 10000000/100.
Perfect! Grandson is at the “dip it” age. If he can dip it in something, he will eat it. I love giving him “real” food. Thank You
Hello
On this Air Fryer chicken nuggets recipe:
1 – How many nuggets equal a serving, please? I ask because if it’s 1 nugget, that’s a little high in net carbs. (And who can eat just one? LOL)
2 – Are any low carb Panko type coatings or a low carb alternative?
3 – Is the flour a necessity?
I’m sorry for all those questions, but it sounds so good and I know that chicken breasts are the least fat part of the chicken. (Although, thighs are my favorite.)
I noticed in your pictures here, that you put the nuggets directly on the basket at the bottom of the fryer. I use the silicone baskets you can lift out and not have to clean the fryer. I’m disabled and it’s rather hard for me to stand to wash the fryer basket and bottom of the fryer.
One more question. Have you ever made scones in the fryer?
Thank you for all the work you do with these recipes.
Hi there! It depends on how big or small you cut the nuggets. Just divide yours by 4 and that is a serving. You can try keto bread crumbs or almond flour.