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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe – healthier option for a kid-friendly dinner! Easy homemade chicken nuggets, breaded and baked in an air fryer.

I serve these nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for a kid-friendly dinner.

air fryer chicken nuggets recipe 1 Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

If your plan for the new year is to eat healthier or find ways to make your favorite dishes lighter, I have a recipe just for you. Chicken nuggets baked to perfection in the air fryer is my new favorite way to make them! Fresh chicken breast, cut into nuggets, seasoned, dipped in melted butter and then in breadcrumbs and baked for 9 minutes in the air fryer without any oil is bound to be a hit with kids and adults!

AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS

This healthier Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets option is great to make ahead too! Simply make a double batch and freeze half once completely cooled. Then use as you would with store-bought nuggets. So easy!

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HOW TO BAKE CHICKEN NUGGETS IN AIR FRYER:

Making chicken nuggets at home is very easy. Trim any fat from chicken breast. Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices, then each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets. Melt butter in a small bowl and place breadcrumbs in another small bowl. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F for 4 minutes. Season chicken pieces, then dip each one in butter and then in breadcrumbs. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Bake for 7 minutes. Two chicken breast makes about 42 nuggets which are comparable to the amount you get in a bag in the store.

Serve with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables and dipping sauce or fruit salad and yogurt.

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MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:

Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

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AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS RECIPE:

5 from 7 votes
air fryer chicken nuggets recipe 1 150x150 Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
 

Healthier option for a kid-friendly dinner! Easy homemade chicken nuggets, breaded and baked in an air fryer.

www.crunchycreamysweet.com

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer chicken, air fryer chicken nuggets
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 364 kcal
Author: Anna
Ingredients
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan optional
Instructions
  1. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees for 4 minutes.
  2. Trim any fat from chicken breast, Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices, then each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Place melted butter in a small bowl and breadcrumbs ( with Parmesan, if using ) in another small bowl.
  4. Dip each piece of chicken in butter, then breadcrumbs.
  5. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake in two batches or more.
  6. Set timer to 8 minutes.

  7. When done, check if the internal temperature of chicken nuggets is at least 165 degrees F. Remove nuggets from basket with tongs and set onto a plate to cool.

Recipe Notes

Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables or fruit salad and yogurt.

This recipe makes about 21 chicken nuggets from one chicken breast. You can double and use two chicken breast and make 42 nuggets, which is comparable to the amount you get in a bag in a grocery store. 

You can use plain breadcrumbs, however I prefer Italian style. 

The amount of calories does not include Parmesan cheese, which is optional. 

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 364
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Neil B says

    Thank you much for sharing this recipe! By far the best (and super easy) air fryer chicken recipe I’ve tried. My wife still talks about them. I can’t wait to make them again 🙂

    Reply

  2. Esmeralda says

    Recipe was so good. The chicken nuggets came out so tasty. I tweaked it a little bit by adding garlic powder, and I used Ritz crackers instead of ordinary breadcrumbs. Delicious!!!

    Reply

  3. Karen says

    I made these for my husband and grandson. They were a hit. I substituted gluten free bread crumbs, since I am gluten intolerant and they came out crispy and delicious.

    Reply

  4. Manuela Pearson says

    … can these chicken nuggets be frozen and for how long? If frozen how long should one bake them if they are already baked through?

    Reply

    • Anna says

      Hi Manuela! If you want to freeze already cooked nuggets, cool them completely and place on a sheet pan to freeze. Then place in a ziploc bag. That way they won’t stick together. They should be good in the freezer for up to 1 month. Do not thaw, but place them in Air Fryer and bake for 8 to 9 minutes or for 19 to 20 minutes in the oven. Check one to make sure they are heated through. I hope this helps!

      Reply

  5. Sharon says

    This turned out nicely. One hiccup though: my chicken was very cold when I put it in the melted butter, which then solidified it. I had to fight with using the defrost on the microwave to re-melt the butter so it wasn’t big chunks attached to the chicken. Next time I will let the chicken sit out on the counter to warm up some.

    Reply

    • Melissa Bidwell says

      After reading your comment about the butter getting cold from the chicken I started thinking, why couldn’t we just melt the butter in a small pot on the stove and keep it on a low heat so that it stays melted. Instead of having to keep reheating it in the microwave. Just a thought.

      Reply

  6. Gwen says

    I buy a lot of microwave frozen foods, chicken nuggets, fries, popcorn chicken, my air fryer has the pot with the turner that goes around inside the pot to keep the stuff moving, how long should I cook the chicken nuggets, fries?

    Reply

  7. Judy Grimes says

    I just got a air fryer for christmas. Can I use self rising flour to cook homademade chicken tenders in air fryer? I am new at the air fryer cook.

    Reply

  8. Karen says

    It would be helpful if you included the carbohydrate count we are diabetic and have to count carbs, I am getting an air fryer for Christmas and cannot wait to use it

    Reply

  9. Judy Bower says

    I have question. I’m new to this airfryer thing. Do I need to spray the nuggets with oil before cooking? I made the mistake of not spraying oil on my wings before cooking and they didn’t brown at all.

    Reply

  10. Linda Hawkins says

    I’m getting an air fryer for Mother’s Day. Please post more receipts. I ate a burrito that was cooked by an Airfyrer and it convinced me. No more rolling them in parchment paper and the ends still be tuff. I had used my microwave. Goodbye Microwave hello Air Fryer!

    Reply

  12. Rebecca T. says

    Just curious, why would you set the timer for 4 minutes when you heat it up and then bake them for 8? why not set the timer for 8 to begin with? But going to try this. They look amazing. My favorite food in the air fryer is a baked potato

    Reply

    • ken says

      i just bought a air fryer 2 days ago we started with a bag of potato wedges and then chicken nuggets. we thn tried bonless cut in half yummy the air fryer works great you all have go go out and buy a air fryer ot saves on your gas bill i love my air fryer thank you all.

      Reply

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