Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

These homemade air fryer chicken nuggets are a classic kid-friendly meal made that little bit healthier. Coming together quickly, with a minimum of ingredients, and cooked in the air fryer, this is one meal that is sure to make it onto your regular rotation. Pair with a salad or some roasted Dutch carrots for the perfect dinner, or make ahead of time and use in some scrumptious lunch wraps paired with lettuce and mayo.

For another easy chicken recipe in the air fryer, try these air fryer chicken burgers next.

Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

I don't know what it is about chicken nuggets, but it is one meal that pretty much every kid can get behind.

These have been a huge hit in our house for years, but up until I started using an air fryer for everything, they were always shallow fried in some avocado oil.

Using the air fryer is a slightly healthier option and also means no oil splatter to clean up after dinner, and less oil is used.

I find it to be the best way to ensure a super crunchy nugget that isn't dried out.

Winning.

What Ingredients Are Needed For Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets?

For meals like this, I like to keep the ingredients to a minimum.

You are going to need:

• Boneless skinless chicken breast: of course, you can also use chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you prefer;
• Egg
• Plain Flour: I use white whole wheat flour, but regular flour would also work;
• Bread crumbs: you can use regular breadcrumbs, or panko breadcrumbs if you want them to be extra crispy like mine in the photos;
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese: try to avoid the pre-grated stuff, and that has preservatives in it which can give it an almost chalky texture;
• Paprika;
• Garlic powder;
• Avocado oil spray: or oil of choice - coconut works well also but will give the nuggets a slight coconut flavor.

Why not try adding a little sprinkle of cayenne pepper to add a little bit of a kick?

Assembling the Nuggets

Putting your nuggets together is a breeze too.

Simply:

• Cut the chicken pieces into even-sized chunks and season with salt and pepper. It is VERY IMPORTANT to cut your chicken into similar-sized chunks so that they cook evenly. You do not want some chicken to be cooked and some to still be raw in the middle.
• Add the flour to a shallow bowl.
• Lightly beat the egg in another shallow bowl.
• In another shallow bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, paprika, and garlic powder and mix.
• With one hand toss some of the chicken chunks into the flour and then the egg mixture until they are coated on all sides, then drop them on top of the breadcrumb mixture. You can also use tongs for this if you are squeamish about touching raw chicken.
• With the other hand dip the chicken into the bread crumbs, making sure each piece is well coated.
• Once breaded set aside on a clean plate while you do the rest.
• Spray with avocado oil, or your cooking oil of choice, and air fry chicken nuggets at 350F (180C) for about 7 minutes or until the nuggets are golden and crispy and have reached an internal temperature of 165F (75C) and they are golden brown on the outside.
• Serve warm with some Chilis Honey Mustard

NOTE: cooking time may vary depending on your machine. So be sure to stop back and check on the nuggets and give the basket a bit of a shake after about 5 minutes.

Tips and Tricks

I find it best to set up a little workstation: so have your raw seasoned chicken on a plate, a bowl of seasoned flour beside, a bowl of egg mix, and a bowl of breadcrumb mix, plus a clean plate for the coated nuggets.

Alternatively, to skip on dishes, you can just pop the coated chicken nuggets straight into the air fryer basket.

Store leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

They can also be frozen once cooled completely and simply reheated in the air fryer from frozen when you need them.

I always make a double batch and keep some stored in the freezer for a quick and easy dinner on a busy night.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook your chicken nuggets in batches.

How To Serve Homemade Chicken Nuggets

We all know homemade chicken nuggets are best served with a dipping sauce, so pull out your favorite sauces and go to town.

I like to serve my chicken nuggets up with a salad, but they also go well with some roasted or air-fried vegetables, in a wrap with lettuce and mayo, or with some hot chips or french fries.

Do what works for you and your family.

These sides also go well:

• Honey Lemon and Sea Salt Fryer Asparagus
• Lemon and Garlic Air Fryer Broccoli
• Add it to this Avocado Chicken Salad with Passionfruit Vinaigrette for a nice bit of crunch
• Mashed potatoes, or if you like to keep it lower in carbs then this Creamy Whipped Feta and Cauliflower Mash

Of course, there are so many ways to serve up homemade chicken nuggets, so as always, do what works for you and your family.

Next time why not change things up and try out this Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken from Allways Delicious or Air Fryer Fire Cracker Shrimp from The Busted Oven.

Happy Eating

xx

Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Whole Food Bellies

Air fryer chicken nuggets are a classic kid-friendly meal made a little bit healthier. Coming together quickly, with a minimum of ingredients, and cooked in the air fryer, this is one meal that is sure to make it onto your regular rotation. Pair with a salad or some roast vegetables for the perfect dinner, or make ahead of time and use for some scrumptious lunch wraps throughout the week.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Anytime

Servings 4 serves

Calories 279 kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (roughly ½ kilo)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Sprayable avocado, coconut or olive oil (optional)

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Instructions

 

• Cut the chicken into even-sized chunks and season with the salt and pepper.
• Lightly beat the egg in a shallow bowl.
• In another shallow bowl add the flour and season with some salt and pepper.
• In another shallow bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan, paprika, and garlic powder and mix.
• With one hand toss some of the chicken chunks into the flour mixture until they are covered on all sides, then into the egg mixture until they are coated on all sides, then drop them on top of the breadcrumb mixture.
• With the other hand sprinkle the bread crumbs onto the chicken piece making sure each one is well coated. Once breaded sit aside on a clean plate while you do the rest.
• Spray the nuggets with a bit of your cooking oil of choice. This is optional, but will give the breadcrumbs a more golden crunch than if you don't use it.
• Cook at 350 (180) for about 7 minutes or until the nuggets are golden and crispy and have reached an internal temperature of 165F (75C)
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Serve warm.
• See notes for what to do with leftovers.

Notes

It is VERY IMPORTANT to cut your chicken into similar sized chunks so that they cook evenly. You do not want some cooked and some raw chicken.

Any other leftovers can be frozen and/or used for a future meal.

To freeze place the cooked and cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer and once the nuggets have frozen through transfer them to a freezer-friendly container with a lid or a Ziploc bag.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 31gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 427mgPotassium: 472mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 295IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.