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Looking for a healthier way to enjoy homemade chicken nuggets? This Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is seasoned to perfection and cooked in the air fryer until perfectly golden and crispy. Serve with dipping sauces for a satisfying and kid-friendly dinner in under 30 minutes.

Top view of air fryer chicken nuggets with bowl of ketchup
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If you like making fast and easy dinners that everybody loves, this Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe is perfect for you. An air fryer recipe that you will love. It is a simple and healthy chicken nugget recipe that can be made in about 25 minutes and makes the best crispy nuggets. Plus making homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer is more nutritious than store-bought, is dairy-free, and can easily be made gluten-free. Adults can enjoy these chicken nuggets just as kids and they can be added to your meal prep bowls and tossed in over your salad.

Why You’ll Love this recipe

  • Super easy. This healthy chicken nuggets recipe only uses 8 ingredients that you probably already have around the house. Then you just need ten minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook before dinner is ready to serve!
  • Kids and adults love them. Chicken nuggets are a childhood classic that no kid will turn down. But adults like them equally well, so you can serve them to the whole family.
  • Healthier version. Making chicken nuggets in the air fryer cuts down on fat and calories compared to store-bought, deep-fried, or fast-food versions. Plus they are dairy-free and can easily be adapted to be gluten-free.
top view nuggets with a side or ketchup

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Chicken breasts: We used boneless and skinless chicken breasts for the healthiest option, but you may use boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
  • Eggs: Used to soak chicken chunks to act as a binder with the breadcrumbs
  • Seasonings: Smoked paprika, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Black pepper, and salt
  • Panko breadcrumbs: use store-bought or you can make your own at home. Check out our post on how to make breadcrumbs.
  • Cooking oil spray
Ingredients for chicken nuggets on gray counter.

How to Air Fry Chicken Nuggets

  • Preheat. First, preheat the air fryer at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
  • Prep the chicken. Next, trim any fat from the chicken breast and cut into 1-inch chunks; set aside.
  • Make dipping stations. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Then in a second shallow dish place the breadcrumbs.
Chicken pieces dipped in egg then in seasoned breadcrumbs.
  • Bread the chicken. Now dip each chicken piece into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
Close view of chicken being coated in breadcrumbs.
  • Cook. Place chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer; you may need to bake in two batches or more, depending on the size of your fryer. Then spray the nuggets with some cooking oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Shaking the basket halfway through.
  • Serve! Once done remove the nuggets from the basket with a tong. Serve with your favorite dip and enjoy!
Air fryer chicken nuggets piled on plate with bowl of ketchup

How to make chicken nuggets in the oven

  • Preheat oven: First, preheat the oven to 400F
  • Prepare the nuggets: Follow the same steps as you would if you were air-frying (please refer above or scroll down to the recipe card steps 2-5)
  • Line the nuggets on a greased sheet pan. Or you may add a wire metal rack on a sheet pan, spray with some cooking spray to prevent nuggets from sticking, transfer the nuggets to the wire rack. Spray the top of the nuggets with more cooking spray.
  • Next, Bake: Place them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they are crispy golden brown or the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
  • Finally, serve with your favorite dip like honey mustard.
healthy chicken nuggets on a white plate

Sides to Serve with Chicken Nuggets

My Pro Tip

Recipe Tip

  • Chicken breasts: To help each chicken nugget cook evenly in the air fryer, make sure to cut them into equal-sized chunks.
  • Smoked paprika: Regular paprika can also be used, but the smoked paprika definitely adds more flavor.
  • Cooking oil spray: An olive oil spray will add a little extra flavor, but any other neutral oil will work just as well.
  • Cook the chicken in a single layer, with no pieces overlapping or touching significantly. Also, if needed, cook in two batches. This will help them get really crispy!
  • To make gluten-free, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
Close top view of chicken nuggets on white plate with ketchup

Frequently asked questions

What sauces are good with chicken nuggets?

Any of your favorite sauces will do the trick! Try barbecue sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, or our homemade ranch dressing.

How do I reheat chicken nuggets?

Save your leftovers because these reheat beautifully! You can return their golden, crispy exterior in just a few minutes. Turn on the air fryer to 400°F and reheat the chicken nuggets for 4-8 minutes, or until heated through. If using an oven, just reheat them in a 400F preheated oven for 5-6 minutes until they are crispy and warm.

How do I store these?

Store your homemade chicken nuggets in an air-tight container or sealed zipper bag after they are completely cooled. They will last in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze air fryer chicken nuggets?

Yes! Allow the nuggets to cool fully, then freeze in an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the counter or overnight in the fridge, then reheat them in the air fryer or oven for 4-8 minutes, or until heated through.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Chicken nuggets on plate and one in bowl of ketchup.

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5 from 16 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

By: Rena
Servings: 6
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
top view of chicken nuggets on a plate with red dipping sauce
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are lightly seasoned and breaded, then cooked until golden and crispy. Serve with dipping sauces for a fast, satisfying, and kid-friendly dinner.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • cutting board

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 ounces panko breadcrumbs, or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking oil spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
  • Trim any fat from the chicken breast and cut into 1-inch chunks; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
  • In a shallow dish place the breadcrumbs.
  • Now dip each chicken piece into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
  • Place chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer; you may need to bake in two batches or more, depending on the size of your fryer.
  • Spray the nuggets with some cooking oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes or until crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Once done remove the nuggets from the basket with a tong. Serve with your favorite dip and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Chicken breasts: To help each chicken nugget cook evenly in the air fryer, make sure to cut them into equal-sized chunks.
  • Smoked paprika: Regular paprika can also be used, but the smoked paprika adds more flavor.
  • Cooking oil spray: An olive oil spray will add a little extra flavor, but any other neutral oil will work just as well.
  • Cook the chicken in a single layer, with no pieces overlapping or touching significantly. If needed, cook in two batches. This will help them get crispy!
  • To make gluten-free, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
  • Storage: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
  • Freezing: Cook and cool fully. Then freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
  • Reheating: Turn on the air fryer to 400°F. Reheat nuggets for 4-8 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 28gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 644mgPotassium: 474mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, I’m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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5 from 16 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I NEVER write reviews for recipes and this was the only recipe to date I liked in the air fryer!! SO good and SO easy. I highly recommend!!!

  2. 5 stars
    Chicken nuggets cannot get better than this! These are looking so awesome and absolutely tempting!

    1. Hi. Can I replace panko with lightly blended jumbo oats? I only have jumbo oats now. How will the temp n cooking time differ if using oat? Thanks