Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets is a quick and healthy recipe using chicken breasts, flour, and breadcrumbs to make crispy fried chicken. This kid-friendly recipe can also be made using frozen nuggets. You won't need to head out to ChickFila to please the family!
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Thanks to the air fryer the days of eating store bought chicken nuggets are gone! A lot of store-bought chicken nuggets are filled with processed ingredients so you have to be really careful.
If you prefer to make store-bought chicken nuggets in your air fryer, be sure to check out this post The Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets for a list of options.
Looking for chicken tenders? Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
Table of Contents
How Do You Cook Chicken Nuggets in the AirFryer?
You will first have to decide if you would like breaded nuggets or nuggets without the breading. Non-breaded chicken can simply be seasoned with spices and added to the air fryer.
For breaded nuggets, you will need flour, a couple of eggs, and breadcrumbs.
- Slice a couple of chicken breasts into big chunks.
- Dip the chicken in flour, then egg, and then breadcrumbs.
- Load them in the air fryer.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer?
Total cook time is 15 minutes but will vary based on the air fryer brand that you use and how crispy you like your nuggets. I'm a fan of really crispy chicken. I let these cook for about 14-15 minutes.
Air Fryer Temperature
I like to use 400 degrees.
How Long Do You Cook Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?
I've made fried chicken wings in the air fryer repeatedly. It's actually my favorite thing to make in the air fryer. I let fried chicken wings cook for 20-22 minutes because again, I like my chicken to be crispy. Check out my Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Crispy Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Air Fryer Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken recipes.
How Do You Air Fry Chicken Fingers?
The steps are similar to what is documented above, however, when slicing the chicken breast cut it into long strips instead of small chunks.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets?
Frozen nuggets will need 15- 20 minutes to cook.
Pair these nuggets with
Air Fryer Homemade French Fries
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Fried Chicken Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Get a complete list of Air Fryer Recipes here.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless chicken breasts sliced into large chunks, size will depend on your preference and what size nuggets you prefer
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon McCormick's Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- 1-2 eggs If you use medium sized eggs you will need 2 eggs, for extra large eggs you may only need 1 egg
- 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs If you prefer you can use Italian Seasoned breadcrumbs and omit the Italian Seasoning above
- cooking oil spray I use olive oil
Instructions
- Place the flour in a bowl with the Italian Seasoning, chicken seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Add the egg to a separate bowl and beat.
- Add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl.
- Dip the sliced chicken in the seasoned flour, then the egg, and last the breadcrumbs. Place the chicken on a clean surface. Note: Your hands will get very sticky. Keep a moistened paper towel handy to wipe your hands.
- Spray the breaded chicken with cooking oil. Keep a safe distance from the chicken so that the spray does not send the breading flying. I like to spray both sides of the nuggets while they are on a flat surface before loading them into the air fryer. This ensures each is properly coated.
- Place the nuggets in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd the basket. Consider cooking them in batches if you have a small air fryer basket.
- Cook for 4 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the nuggets. I used tongs instead of shaking the basket.
- Cook for an additional 4 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and examine the nuggets to determine if they have reached your desired level of crisp. I cooked mine for an additional 5 minutes at this point.
- Remove the nuggets and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
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Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Can't wait to try this recipe, I know my family will love it!
Sophie Heath says
This is the best air fryer chicken recipe! It was so easy and my kids are obsessed with chicken nuggets so it was a hit with them too!
Mayah says
This recipe was so easy and so good! Can’t wait to make it again.
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Maggie says
Made these this weekend - they were incredible! My husband raved about them too. Nothing is ever crispy enough for him, but these hit the jackpot! They were crisp, full of flavor and easy to make. Will be incorporating this recipe into our weekly routine.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them!
Nicole says
I bought an air fryer specifically to make fried chicken but was so intimidated by it, it sat in my pantry for weeks before I brought it out. Once I saw this recipe, I knew it would be silly for me not to try it. It was so simple my five year old nephew and three year old niece were able to help me season and bread the chicken. Not only did they help make them, they also helped eat them. That should tell you right there how good they turned out. They were perfectly crispy without being greasy. When I get the hankering for nuggs in the future, I will just make them myself instead of going out. So super excited!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed these!
Rachel says
These are so good!! I was hooked after seeing the word “easy” and I also know how Brandi feels about under-seasoned chicken, so I had high hopes for this recipe. These were near restaurant quality, y’all. So juicy and flavorful! Will be putting this on repeat!
staysnatched says
haha! I love that. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Kelsey says
These. Are. So. Good! I love going to Chick fil a, but these are even better! The recipe is easy and quick. Perfectly crispy and seasoned. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
Wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed the nuggets.
Krista says
THESE ARE AMAZING!!!!!! Wow these turned out soo well and are delicious!!!! Definitely going into my rotation!
staysnatched says
Awesome. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Erin Gibson says
Brandi does it again with the quick, simple, delicious meals. This recipe was so easy that it’s something I can easily add into my weekly rotation. Perfect chicken to enjoy on top of a salad or as your main dish.
staysnatched says
I love to hear that!
Ashley Agbay says
YUMMM. My boyfriend calls these the “wife me” nuggies they’re THAT GOOD! Made a huge batch to test before 4th of July festivities and these are definitely going on the menu!
staysnatched says
haha so funny!