Easy Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These easy crispy homemade air fryer chicken nuggets are a perfect kid-friendly dinner. Since my kiddos frequently want chicken nuggets, I found a healthier way to enjoy this classic recipe without using heavy oil. This is an excellent option for busy weeknights for the whole family.
How To Make Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer?
This was my first time making chicken nuggets in an air fryer. And it is surprisingly easy to prepare this healthier option and satisfy the taste of little kids. You only need 5-6 minutes in preparation and approximately 10 minutes of cooking time.
I tried several options when I made traditional chicken nuggets in the past, and I found chicken thighs had a better taste than skinless chicken breast. So, I used chicken pieces made from chicken thighs in this recipe to achieve the best results.
The best way to ensure even cooking and a perfectly golden brown crispy coating, you should preheat your air fryer for about 10 minutes. You lay the chicken pieces in a single layer in an air fryer basket or an air fryer tray, leaving a little space between each piece. Use tongs to transfer these delicious air fryer chicken nuggets from a baking tray to a plate, and enjoy dipping them in your favorite dipping sauce.
My kids told me that these easy homemade chicken nuggets taste as good as store-bought chicken nuggets, and honestly, this is the answer I was looking for 😊. So, if you own an air fryer, ditch your deep fryer and go for this healthier option using less oil and pairing it with your favorite sauces. The good news is that leftover air fryer chicken nuggets are great when reheated in the air fryer. You can make them different sizes, or instead of cutting them into chicken pieces, you can cut the chicken into chicken tenders. Either way, they will make great options for dinner or an easy snack that kiddos will love (and adults also!).
Cook time depends on the type of air fryer you have. Mine is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature of around 370 F. It is essential to lay chicken pieces in a single layer so all can cook evenly. Air fry for about 8-10 minutes; take the baking tray out and flip each chicken piece. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
Yes, homemade air fryer chicken nuggets are healthier and much better than traditional deep fryer ones. The main reason is the amount of oil the conventional deep-fried chicken nuggets are prepared. You also use oil in air-fried chicken nuggets, but the amount is negligible compared to the traditional ones. In this recipe, I used an olive oil sprayer to moisten the breaded chicken pieces right before air frying.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Plain Breadcrumbs. Many recipes for air fryer chicken nuggets call for Panko breadcrumbs. I typically have plain breadcrumbs in my pantry, which I used in this recipe. But both plain and panko will work well. The main difference between plain or regular breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs is in the crunchiness of the final air-fried product. Panko breadcrumbs are more flaky and absorb less oil, which leads to crunchier chicken nuggets.
- Salt. Add salt directly to the breadcrumbs and mix well. I used Hymalian sea salt in this recipe, but any salt will work well.
- Flour. I used regular flour here.
- Egg. Beaten with a fork.
- Milk. Add regular milk to the bowl with the egg and mix well.
- Chicken thighs. I used chicken pieces made from chicken thighs in this recipe to achieve the best results compared with chicken breasts (which can end up drier).
- Olive oil spray. Right before air frying, spray breaded chicken pieces with olive oil on both sides.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Preparation Steps
Time needed: 30 minutes
This amount is for two people.
- Step 1
Prepare 3 empty bowls, and add 1 cup of breadcrumbs in one bowl. Add salt to taste (about 1/4 tbsp) to breadcrumbs and mix well.
- Step 2
Add 1/2 cup flour to the second bowl.
- Step 3
In a third bowl, beat one egg with a fork, and add 1/4 cup milk. Mix well.
- Step 4
Wash 1/2 lb chicken thighs under running water, and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut them into approximately 2×1 inch pieces using a knife.
- Step 5
Dip each chicken piece into flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into breadcrumbs. Set chicken pieces into a single layer in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray (spray the empty air fryer tray with olive oil, and then add chicken pieces).
- Step 6
Spray breaded chicken pieces with oil.
- Step 7
Bake in an air fryer at 370 degrees F (188 degrees C) for about 20 minutes (check instructions for your air fryer type). Flip the chicken nuggets halfway through cooking to ensure even air frying.
- Step 8
Enjoy these crunchy homemade air fry chicken nuggets with your favorite sauce, such as honey mustard, bbq sauce, or ranch dressing.
If you like this Easy Easy Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe, here are some other easy and healthy recipes to try:
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- How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges (with Adobo Seasoning)
- LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN RISOTTO IN A DUTCH OVEN
- CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD (NO ANCHOVIES)
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AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1 cup bread crumbs plain
- 1/4 tbsp salt
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 lb chicken thighs
- olive oil spray
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Prepare 3 empty bowls, and add 1 cup of breadcrumbs in one bowl. Add salt to taste (about 1/4 tbsp) to breadcrumbs and mix well.
- Add 1/2 cup flour to the second bowl.
- In a third bowl, beat one egg with a fork, and add 1/4 cup milk. Mix well.
- Wash 1/2 lb chicken thighs under running water, and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut them into approximately 2×1 inch pieces using a knife.
- Dip each chicken piece into flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into breadcrumbs. Set chicken pieces into a single layer in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray (spray the empty air fryer tray with olive oil, and then add chicken pieces).
- Spray breaded chicken pieces with oil.
- Bake in an air fryer at 370 degrees F (188 degrees C) for about 20 minutes (check instructions for your air fryer type). Flip the chicken nuggets halfway through cooking to ensure even air frying.
- Enjoy these crunchy homemade air fry chicken nuggets with your favorite sauce, such as honey mustard, bbq sauce, or ranch dressing.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Plain Breadcrumbs. Many recipes for air fryer chicken nuggets call for Panko breadcrumbs. I typically have plain breadcrumbs in my pantry, which I used in this recipe. But both plain and panko will work well. The main difference between plain or regular breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs is in the crunchiness of the final air-fried product. Panko breadcrumbs are more flaky and absorb less oil, which leads to crunchier chicken nuggets.
- Salt. Add salt directly to the breadcrumbs and mix well. I used Hymalian sea salt in this recipe, but any salt will work well.
- Flour. I used regular flour here.
- Egg. Beaten with a fork.
- Milk. Add regular milk to the bowl with the egg and mix well.
- Chicken thighs. I used chicken pieces made from chicken thighs in this recipe to achieve the best results compared with chicken breasts (which can end up drier).
- Olive oil spray. Right before air frying, spray breaded chicken pieces with olive oil on both sides.
