Tender, juicy chicken wrapped in crispy breadcrumbs with delicious seasonings for the best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets! Way less oil than regular and less mess.
When we were little kids, my sisters and I would ask and ask for chicken nuggets as a special treat. We didn’t have much money, so it was an occasional treat. Now that I’m older, I find it more affordable and healthier to make my own. Hence, today’s super delicious Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets!
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Today’s chicken nuggets are made in an air fryer with way less oil, scratch ingredients, and delicious results.
Think: crispy exteriors, juicy and tender chicken centers, and the perfect palette for dipping in delicious sauces! (I’m looking at you, chipotle aioli.)
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
- Chicken: we’ll be using skinless chicken breasts, which can easily be picked up at the grocery store all prepared!
- Buttermilk: a crucial ingredient in making nearly any fried appetizer delicious. See my air fryer onion rings!
- Flour + Breadcrumbs: by using a combination of these two, we’ll achieve a crisp exterior for the nuggets.
- Spices: paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Oil and Cooking spray: we’ll use oil as a kind of glue to keep the breadcrumb coating on the air fryer chicken nuggets, and cooking spray as a way to keep the nuggets crispy.
How to Cook Chicken Nuggets in An Air Fryer
First, we’ll start by trimming any excess fat off the chicken breasts, and then slicing them into 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Next, let’s prep our dipping bowls! The first bowl will have buttermilk. The second: salt, flour, paprika, and garlic powder. The third: breadcrumbs and oil stirred together.
Now, for the fun part: coating the chicken! Dip one piece of chicken into the buttermilk, then the dry seasoned mix, then back to the buttermilk, and finally the breadcrumbs. Coat each piece and tap off excess.
As you finish coating each chicken nugget, lay them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
How Long to Make Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
If needed, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Using cooking spray to coat the nuggets. Cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer for about 8 minutes.
Tools you’ll need
Here are our recommendations for the best air fryers. Enjoy!!
What Sauces to Dip Chicken Nuggets?
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Use a fork to dredge the chicken nuggets. I like using a big fork to help keep my hands clean, and because the fork helps to shake off excess bits.
- Change the fork once it gets gunky. Over time, a paste will form on the fork. Toss it and use another.
- Use a different fork for the breadcrumbs. I know, I’ve been tempted to use the same, but this keeps the breadcrumbs cleaner and yields a crisper result.
- Spray the chicken nuggets evenly in cooking spray for a crisp exterior.
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Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
delicious ‘n easy air fryer recipes
Description
Tender, juicy chicken wrapped in a crispy breadcrumbs with delicious seasonings for the best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets! Way less oil than regular and less mess.
Tools Needed
Ingredients
Bowl 1
Bowl 2
Bowl 3
- Trim excess fat off chicken and slice into even, 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper onto chicken.
- Add buttermilk to a shallow bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, flour, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In a third bowl, stir together breadcrumbs and oil until well blended.
- Dip a chicken piece into each bowl to coat, tapping off excess. Start with buttermilk, then the seasoned flour mixture, back into the buttermilk, and finally coating in breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Working in batches, cook chicken nuggets in a single, spaced-out layer. Coat the air fryer basket in cooking spray. Spritz the nuggets with cooking spray, then halfway through, flip and spritz again. Cook for a total of 8 minutes.
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- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers, Main Dishes
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
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