Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are easy to make at home and even easier to heat from the freezer. Air fryer chicken nuggets come out crisp outside and tender inside in about 10 minutes at 400 °F, whether you shape them yourself from ground chicken or cook a bag of frozen ones. Both methods are below, with exact times and the temperature to check.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 55min
- Prep time
- 25min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 165°F74 °C
- Per serving
- 270kcal
Why the air fryer works for chicken nuggets
A nugget is a small, thin piece with a lot of crust, which is exactly what the air fryer does well. Hot air circulating around the basket dries the crumb coating quickly, so the nuggets crisp up in a few minutes with a light mist of oil instead of a pot of frying fat. The mixture of ground chicken, egg and cheese holds together and stays tender because it is cooked fast.
The same speed makes the air fryer a good tool for frozen nuggets. A freezer bag that would take 20 minutes in the oven is hot and crisp in under 10. For plain bite-size chicken cubes without a molded shape, see chicken bites, and for strips and fingers see chicken tenders.
How to make chicken nuggets in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the chicken In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, Parmesan, ¼ cup panko, 1 egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork or damp hands until just combined; overmixing makes the nuggets tough.
- Shape and chill Scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon at a time and shape into a flat nugget about ½ inch thick, making 24. Place them on a tray and chill in the refrigerator for so they firm up.
- Bread Put the flour in one dish, the beaten egg in a second and the remaining ¾ cup panko in a third. Coat each nugget in flour, then egg, then press it into the panko.
- Preheat and mist Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for . Mist the nuggets on both sides with oil, on the tray rather than in the basket.
- Cook Place half the nuggets in a single layer in the basket, leaving gaps. Cook for , flipping after . Repeat with the second batch.
- Check Insert an instant-read thermometer into a nugget. It should read 165 °F. Serve hot with dipping sauces.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| HomemadeFlip after 5 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10 min |
| Frozen, precookedNo thawing | 400 °F (200 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Frozen at 380 | 380 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| No breading | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 165 °F (74 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Frozen foods in the air fryer – times from frozen
Tips
- Use ground chicken with some fat. Ground chicken made from thighs or mixed dark and white meat is juicier than all-breast ground chicken.
- Keep the size consistent. A cookie scoop or tablespoon makes nuggets of equal size, which cook at the same rate.
- Freeze for later. Place breaded, uncooked nuggets on a tray, freeze until solid, and move to a bag. Cook from frozen at 380 °F for 12–14 minutes.
What to serve with chicken nuggets
Serve nuggets with ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard or ranch for dipping. For a kid-friendly dinner, add crispy French fries and a vegetable such as carrots or broccoli. A plate of nuggets and fries is also an easy option for game day, and the whole meal fits in one air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate cooked nuggets in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375 °F for 3–4 minutes until they are hot and reach 165 °F in the center. Cooked nuggets also freeze for 2 months; reheat from frozen for 6–8 minutes.
Variations
- Spicy: Add ½ tsp cayenne and 1 tsp smoked paprika to the chicken mixture.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko and a gluten-free flour blend for the coating.
- Cornflake crunch: Replace the outer panko with crushed corn flakes for a crunchier crust.
- Dipping sauce: Mix 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp yellow mustard for a quick honey mustard.
If it does not turn out right
- The nuggets fall apart
- The mixture is too wet or too warm. Chill the shaped nuggets for 10 minutes, and handle them gently when breading. Add a tablespoon of panko to the mix if it feels sticky.
- The nuggets are pale
- The spray did not cover the crumbs, or the basket was crowded. Spray until the surface is evenly damp and leave space between the pieces.
- Frozen nuggets are dry
- Precooked nuggets need only heating. Stop at 165 °F, which usually takes 8–10 minutes, and do not add oil.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
Homemade nuggets take 10 minutes at 400 °F, flipped halfway. Frozen, precooked nuggets take 8–10 minutes at 380–400 °F.
Can you cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
Yes. Place them straight from the freezer in a single layer and cook at 400 °F for 8–10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway. They are ready when they reach 165 °F in the center. A bag with a lot of nuggets should be cooked in batches.
Can you make nuggets without breadcrumbs?
Yes. Skip the coating and cook the shaped nuggets at 375 °F for 10–12 minutes. They are softer but still tasty; a light coat of cooking spray helps.
Can I use chicken breast instead of ground chicken?
Pulse 1 lb of chopped breast in a food processor until finely ground, then proceed with the recipe. Do not purée it.
What did you think of this recipe?
Be the first to rate this recipe.
