Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Name: Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-size chunks); 75 g Plain Flour; 1 Egg (beaten); 175 g Panko Breadcrumbs; ½ tsp Salt; ¼ tsp Black Pepper; ½ tsp Smoked Paprika

Easy homemade air fryer chicken nuggets recipe with a golden crispy coating and tender juicy chicken inside!

Healthier, more nutritious, and much tastier than store-bought chicken nuggets, I like to serve them with crunchy air fryer sweet potato fries and homemade baked beans, for a delicious weeknight dinner the kids (and adults) love!

Air fryer chicken nuggets on a white plate.

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Cooking homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer is not only incredibly simple but also a fantastic opportunity to get kids excited about cooking. This recipe is perfect for little hands to help out in the kitchen, making it a fun and engaging family activity.

My youngest daughter always eagerly volunteers to dip the chicken pieces in the flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs, although we do end up with a bit of a messy worktop (and hands) afterwards! However, the joy on her face and the sense of accomplishment she feels makes the cleanup well worth it.

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can prepare the chicken nuggets ahead of time, even the night before, and store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook. This makes it a great option for busy weeknights or when you want to have a quick and tasty meal on hand. When you're ready to eat, simply pop the nuggets into the air fryer, and in no time, you'll have a delicious, crispy, and healthier alternative to store-bought chicken nuggets that the whole family will love.

👩‍🍳 Love chicken nuggets? Try my oven-baked cornflake chicken nuggets next!

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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
🛒 Ingredient notes
🔪 Instructions
Top Tips
🍴 Serving suggestions
📖 Variations
🥡 Storage
❓ Frequently asked questions
😋 More air fryer recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

Quick & easy air fryer chicken recipe with just 7 simple ingredients (most you'll already have in your pantry).
Healthier than store-bought chicken nuggets with less fat and fewer calories.
No deep frying.
Prep-ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
Great for batch cooking.

🛒 Ingredient notes

Ingredients for air fryer chicken nuggets.

Chicken - Use 4 lean, skinless boneless chicken breasts, trimming any excess fat and cutting each breast into bite-sized chunks.

Flour - Plain white flour works well, but wholemeal flour can be used for added nutrition and fiber.

Egg - Beat 1 free-range egg thoroughly to ensure an even coating on the chicken pieces.

Breadcrumbs - Panko breadcrumbs or fine dried breadcrumbs provide the best texture; if using coarse breadcrumbs, pulse them in a food processor to achieve a finer consistency.

Seasonings - Sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika are essential for flavor, but feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices like dried thyme, oregano, or cayenne pepper.

Cooking Oil Spray - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking and ensure a crispy exterior.

🔪 Instructions

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

One: Set up your breading station by placing the flour on a wide plate, beating the egg in a bowl, and combining the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in another large bowl or plate (refer to the picture below for guidance).

Two: Bread the chicken pieces using the following method:

a. Coat each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.

b. Dip the floured chicken into the beaten egg, using a spoon to help keep your hands clean.

c. Finally, roll the egg-coated chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.

Three: Prepare the air fryer by spraying the basket with cooking oil spray. Place the breaded chicken nuggets in the basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in two batches to ensure even cooking.

Four: Air fry the chicken nuggets at 200°C (400°F) for 8-10 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. To ensure the nuggets are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 75°C (165°F).

Five: Once the nuggets are cooked, use tongs to carefully remove them from the air fryer basket. If not serving immediately, place the nuggets on a wire rack to maintain their crispiness until ready to serve.

Breadcrumbing chicken nuggets for the air fryer.

Top Tips

If you don't have an air fryer, the chicken nuggets can also be baked in a preheated oven (200°C/400°F) for 17-20 minutes.
Cut the chicken breasts into equal-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
If you don't have an oil spray, place some olive oil on a paper towel and wipe it onto the bottom of the air fryer basket instead.
Make sure the chicken nuggets are in a single layer in the basket to ensure they become crispy. Don't overcrowd them, it's much better to air fry them in two batches if necessary.

🍴 Serving suggestions

Serve the air fryer chicken nuggets with any of the following sides;

Air fryer chips, French fries, or mashed potatoes
Carrot fries
Jacket potatoes
Baked beans, peas, or sweetcorn
Bacon mac and cheese
In wraps with salad
With your favourite dipping sauce such as ketchup, ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.
Why not enjoy some air fryer flapjacks for dessert?

Air fryer chicken nuggets on a white plate with fries and ketchup.

📖 Variations

Add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for cheesy chicken nuggets.
Use different herbs and spices such as dried thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, or chili powder.
Make a double batch if you're serving a crowd.
Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.

🥡 Storage

Store - Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Reheat - In an air fryer or hot oven for 2-3 minutes.

Freeze - Allow the nuggets to cool, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer or oven for 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Homemade chicken nuggets in a Ninja Foodi air fryer.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Do you need to flip chicken nuggets in an air fryer?

As long as the chicken nuggets are in a single layer in the air fryer basket and not overcrowded, it is not usually necessary to flip them halfway through cooking.

Why are my nuggets not crispy?

Ensure the air fryer is at the correct temperature and the nuggets are in a single layer in the air fryer basket and not overlapping.

Can I air fry store-bought frozen chicken nuggets?

Yes, you can air fry frozen chicken nuggets at 200C/400F for 10-12 minutes. You can also air fry frozen veggie Quorn nuggets, but these should only take around 8 minutes to cook.

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