These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier option for a kid-friendly dinner! Easy homemade chicken nuggets, breaded and baked in an air fryer.
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Why You'll Love This 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 are 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!
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!
I serve these nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for a kid-friendly dinner.
Ingredients:
- chicken: boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces;
- butter: keeps the nuggets juicy and helps the breading stick to the meat;
- bread crumbs: plain or Italian, use panko if you want the nuggets to be extra crispy;
- seasoning: keep it simple with salt and pepper, but you can also add paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, etc;
- Parmesan: adds great toasted cheese flavor to the chicken.
How to bake chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
Making chicken nuggets at home is very easy.
- Trim any fat from chicken breast. Slice into ½ 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 the 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.
Serve with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables and dipping sauce or fruit salad and yogurt.
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Expert Tips!
- Try adding various spices to the breading: cayenne pepper for a spicy version, taco or fajita seasoning for a Mexican twist;
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer - allow space between the chicken nuggets so the air can circulate properly;
- Add panko for extra crispy nuggets!
- Keep the nuggets roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Recipe FAQs:
Two chicken breast makes about 42 nuggets which are comparable to the amount you get in a bag in the store.
Absolutely! You can cook the nuggets, then cool them completely and freeze them for up to 3 months. Use a freezer-friendly container or a bag.
Any leftovers should be stored in the fridge, for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop the nuggets into the air fryer set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer set to 3 minutes.
The chicken nuggets bake for 8 minutes in the air fryer.
More air fryer recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390° Fahrenheit for 4 minutes.
- Trim any fat from chicken breast, Slice into ½ inch thick slices, then each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Place melted butter in a small bowl and breadcrumbs ( with Parmesan, if using ) in another small bowl.
- Dip each piece of chicken in butter, then breadcrumbs.
- 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.
- Set timer to 8 minutes.
- When done, check if the internal temperature of chicken nuggets is at least 165° F. Remove nuggets from basket with tongs and set onto a plate to cool.
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.
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.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Sharon! I've done that too in the past. It's always better to take it out from the fridge and let it warm up a bit. I am so glad you tried my recipe and it was a success! Thank you!
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.
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?
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.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Judy! I did not test this recipe with self-rising flour so I am not sure how it will affect the nuggets.
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
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.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Judy! Thank you for the question. Since you are dipping each chicken nugget in butter while breading, there is no need for oil spray. I hope this helps! Let me know if you give these a try!
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!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Linda! I would be happy to share more Air Fryer recipes! Thank you for the request!
Katie Leslove says
I should have an air fryer. Thanks for sharing, love this recipe.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You are welcome, Katie!
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
Shannon says
Kind of like preheating an oven (so it’s up to temperature to cook consistently)
Maggie Unzueta says
I never knew you could make them in an air fryer. This is brilliant! My son might just love me more. LOL.
Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says
I NEED AN AIR FRYER!!!
Catalina says
My kid loves chicken nuggets! And this recipe is exactly what I was looking for!
Amanda says
I need to pick up an air fryer because those look seriously crispy!!
Valerie | Valerie's Kitchen says
I don't have an air fryer but I'm so interested now! These look so good!
Demeter says
Homemade is so much better! I need to check out these air fryers!
Jen says
We go through a ton of nuggets in our house. This is perfect for us!
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.
Louise says
I am so excited for this recipe! Just got the air fryer for Christmas! Perfect timing! 😀