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!
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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!
- 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
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.
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?
📖 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.
❓ Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
😋 More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer chicken fajitas
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Air fryer chicken legs
- Air fryer tuna melt
- Air fryer chicken katsu
- Air fryer baked camembert
- Air fryer sausages
- Air fryer whole chicken
- Air fryer breakfast frittata
- Air fryer sausage rolls
- Air fryer mac and cheese
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Recipe
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size chunks
- 75 g Plain Flour
- 1 Egg beaten
- 175 g Panko Breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with a cooking oil spray then preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Place the flour on a wide plate, the beaten egg in a bowl, and mix the breadcrumbs with the salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in another large bowl or plate75 g Plain Flour, 1 Egg, 175 g Panko Breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Bread the chicken pieces by coating them first in flour (shaking off excess), turning in the egg (use a spoon to keep your hands clean), and finally rolling in the seasoned breadcrumbs.4 Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer (you may need to air fry in two batches, depending on the size of your fryer). Air fry at 200C (400F) for 8-10 minutes or until crispy and the internal temperature has reached 75C (165°F). Use a meat thermometer to check.
- Use tongs to place the nuggets on a wire rack if not serving immediately.
Notes
- 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.
⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐
With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!
Janessa
Love how crispy these turned out! Next time I'm going to give adding some parmesan to the coating a try.
Gina Abernathy
Love these homemade chicken nuggets. So much better than take out!
Stephanie
My granddaughter loved these with lots of ketchup! So much healthier for her than the fast food option. (Now if I could just get her to cut down on the ketchup a little...lol)
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Such a great way to make a healthy version of nuggets. Thanks for this idea!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Easy and delicious, this one is a keeper. I know I’m going to make it over and over again!
Tara
Oh wow! These chicken nuggets look so good. I just got an air fryer for Christmas. Definitely need to try this.
Jon
What is an air fryer?! Hahaha