Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to let you in on a little secret weapon in my kitchen: air fryer chicken nuggets. Not just any air fryer chicken nuggets, mind you. These are the kind that disappear faster than free pizza at a college party. They’re crispy, juicy, and so dang easy, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the drive-thru. Trust me, even the pickiest eaters in your life (looking at you, Todd!) will be begging for seconds.
My husband, Todd, seriously thinks I’m a culinary genius when I whip these up. Okay, he might also think I’m a genius when I successfully parallel park, but still! The point is, these nuggets are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I swear, the other day, I made a double batch and turned my back for approximately 3.2 seconds, and half of them were GONE. Todd swears the dog ate them, but I saw the guilty crumbs on his shirt. These are that good. They’ve become a weekly staple, and honestly, sometimes I make them just for myself for a little afternoon snack. Don’t judge.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Seriously easy. Like, “I-can-make-this-after-a-long-day-and-a-glass-of-wine” easy.
- Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It’s the perfect texture combo.
- Toddler approved. Enough said.
- WAY healthier than the fast-food version. We’re talking happy dance in your kitchen healthy.
- Customizable! You can tweak the seasonings to your heart’s content. I’ve added a little cayenne pepper when I need a kick.
How to Make It
Alright, so listen up! Making these nuggets is ridiculously simple. First, you gotta grab some chicken breasts and cut them into nugget-sized pieces. Don’t stress about making them perfect; we’re going for homemade charm here, not perfectly uniform shapes.
Next, whisk together your egg, milk (or, like, almond milk if that’s your jam), and seasonings in a bowl. In another bowl, mix your breadcrumbs with more seasonings. Feel free to get creative here – garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, a little bit of Italian seasoning… whatever floats your boat.
Now, dunk each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the breadcrumbs, making sure it’s fully coated. Lay the breaded chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd them, or they won’t get crispy!
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Then, spray your nuggets with a little bit of cooking spray (or olive oil if you’re feeling fancy) and air fry them until they’re golden brown and cooked through. It usually takes about 8-10 minutes, but keep an eye on them, as all air fryers are a little different. And voila! Crispy, juicy, homemade chicken nuggets that will disappear in seconds.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts: I usually buy the boneless, skinless kind because, well, I’m lazy. But you do you! Just make sure they’re cut into nugget-sized pieces.
- Egg: This helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. Don’t skip it! Unless you’re vegan, then use a flax egg or something. I haven’t tried it, but I bet it works!
- Milk: Any kind of milk will do! I’ve used everything from cow’s milk to almond milk to oat milk, and they all work great. Just use whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are my go-to because they get super crispy, but regular breadcrumbs will work too. I’ve even used crushed-up crackers in a pinch.
- Seasonings: This is where you can get creative! I usually use a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, but feel free to experiment with different flavors.
Recipe Steps:
- Cut: Slice chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces.
- Whisk: Combine egg, milk, and seasonings in a bowl.
- Mix: Combine breadcrumbs and seasonings in a separate bowl.
- Dunk: Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture, then dredge in breadcrumbs.
- Arrange: Place breaded nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Spray: Lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Air Fry: Cook until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
What to Serve It With
Oh man, the possibilities are endless! Ketchup is a classic, obviously. But ranch dressing? Honey mustard? BBQ sauce? Yes, yes, and YES. I also love serving these nuggets with a side of sweet potato fries or a simple salad. Sometimes, I even throw them on top of a salad for a quick and easy lunch. No rules here, folks!
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket! If you do, the nuggets will steam instead of getting crispy. Work in batches if you need to.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before you take it out of the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature – it should be 165°F (74°C).
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings! This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to get creative.
- I once forgot to add the egg wash and tried to just press the breadcrumbs on. It… didn’t work. Don’t do that.
Storage Tips
If you have any leftovers (which is a big “if” in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Honestly, I’ve eaten them cold straight from the fridge the next morning while standing in front of the open refrigerator door… don’t judge! They’re still pretty good! You can reheat them in the air fryer to get them crispy again, but let’s be real, cold chicken nuggets are still chicken nuggets.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs for a little kick.
- Make it cheesy: Add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for a cheesy twist.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- No breadcrumbs? Crush up some crackers or cornflakes instead! I once used potato chips (salt and vinegar, because that’s all I had) and it was surprisingly amazing.
- Out of Milk?: Use water! It works surprisingly well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast cut into nugget-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon paprika smoked
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil spray for spraying
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place beaten eggs in another shallow bowl.
- Dip each chicken piece in the flour mixture, then in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil.
- Place chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spray lightly with olive oil.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
