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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dinner

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Published: Jan 1, 2018 · Modified: Feb 22, 2023 by Anna 86 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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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.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe - healthier option for a kid-friendly dinner! Easy homemade chicken nuggets, breaded and baked in an air fryer.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients:
  • How to bake chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
  • Expert Tips!
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • More air fryer recipes:
  • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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

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:

How many chicken nuggets does this recipe make?

Two chicken breast makes about 42 nuggets which are comparable to the amount you get in a bag in the store.

Can I freeze these chicken nuggets?

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.

How to store and reheat leftovers?

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.

How long does it take to bake chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

The chicken nuggets bake for 8 minutes in the air fryer.

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

More air fryer recipes:

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    Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Shrimp
  • Square image of sliced pizza with cheese and pepperoni on a wooden board.
    Air Fryer Pizza from Scratch
  • BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer basket.
    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

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

Author: Anna
Healthier option for a kid-friendly dinner! Easy homemade chicken nuggets, breaded and baked in an air fryer.
4.90 from 59 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 18 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 364 kcal
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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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    4.90 from 59 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Pamela Crane says

    June 13, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    These were so good and so easy. Kids and grandpa loved them. I am trying to teach my grandson how to cook some things and these are simple enough for him to make. I used chicken thighs and experimented with both bread crumbs and cracker crumbs. We ended up combining the two because both were good. Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    May 11, 2021 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    This is so underrated (because there's only a few reviews)!!! I found this recipe because I wanted to make air fryer nuggets with items I already had in the house and WOW. Super Easy. I have an Ninja Air Fryer Oven and I just added 2 more minutes to the 8 minutes. Super easy and great if you're counting calories. I will definitely be making this again! Also, I agree. Use Italian breadcrumbs for sure.

    Reply
    • Anna says

      May 11, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      Thank you so much, Jen! I am so glad the chicken nuggets were a success!

      Reply
  3. David Hearst says

    April 14, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome Recipe!! Although I would cook it for 9 or 10 minutes instead of 8.

    Reply
  4. Lisa P LaGrou says

    February 25, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Can you make these in the oven on the Air Fryer setting? If so, how long would I cook them for? And, is it ok if I don't have a wire basket...and just use a cookie sheet?

    Reply
    • Elise says

      March 26, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      my dad recently got an oven with an air fryer setting as well.... He tried a few things with it (without a basket) and said they didnt seem to come out right so he bought a basket on Amazon and tried the same recipes I over again and said they came out great. A basket may be worth looking into at least

      Reply
  5. Lynda Wells says

    December 31, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    We are making these right now

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      I hope you love them, Lynda!

      Reply
  6. Angelica says

    October 13, 2020 at 3:03 am

    5 stars
    This was the most delicious, easy recipe ever! The key is dipping the chicken nuggets in butter! This will be a recipe I share forever!

    Reply
  7. Vonda says

    September 17, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    Can you use pork rinds instead of panko breading I’m low carb Italian flavor pork rinds

    Reply
  8. Nikki says

    August 22, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    Best and easiest air fryer chicken nugget recipe hands down!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      August 31, 2020 at 10:01 pm

      Yay! Thank you so much, Nikki!

      Reply
  9. Diana says

    August 03, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so good and easy. There is no way to go wrong. They good good with buffalo sauce and canes sauce. The nuggets are everything you want in a chicken nugget. So good! Highly recommend.

    Reply
  10. Mary says

    May 28, 2020 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    My husband and I loved these! Added a dash of Cajun seasoning to the bread crumbs. DEFINITELY will make again!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      May 28, 2020 at 5:38 pm

      Thank you so much, Mary! I am so glad the nuggets were a hit!

      Reply
  11. Sabrina says

    May 22, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    Do I have to use butter?

    Reply
    • Anna says

      May 23, 2020 at 10:47 pm

      Hi Sabrina! The butter helps the breading stick to the nuggets and baked them nice, crispy and browned. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • calla r stevens says

        June 16, 2020 at 12:55 pm

        you can use an egg or egg whites.

  12. Lauren says

    April 30, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    Is the whole recipe 364 cals in total or per serving? Either way, so yummy, my friends loved them too. I cannot wait to make them again? Thanks for the awesome recipe Anna!

    Reply
  13. Neil B says

    March 22, 2020 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    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
  14. Esmeralda says

    October 09, 2019 at 10:37 pm

    5 stars
    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
    • Susan says

      March 10, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      I love the idea of Ritz. Thanks for sharing that. trying next time.

      Reply
      • Elise says

        March 26, 2021 at 7:10 pm

        Crushed up pretzels (smash with rolling pin or processor)are great for air fryer nuggets as well. I like to use the Snyder's honey mustard pretzels ---so good!!

    • Diana says

      August 03, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      You can also soak the nuggets in pickle juice for 30 minutes.

      Reply
      • teresa simmons says

        January 07, 2021 at 9:23 pm

        Interesting I love pickle juice

  15. Karen says

    July 19, 2019 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    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
    • Anna says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      Thank you so much, Karen! I am so glad the nuggets were a hit!

      Reply
  16. Manuela Pearson says

    July 06, 2019 at 9:11 am

    ... 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

      July 06, 2019 at 9:17 pm

      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
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