Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets made with boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in breadcrumbs, pankp and Parmesan cheese then air fried until crisp, golden and delicious!
Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer Recipe
Chicken nuggets are the ultimate kid friendly finger food, but adults love them too! Making homemade Chicken Nuggets in the air fryer with chunks of chicken beasts are so much healthier than fast food or frozen nuggets you buy, and so easy to make! These breaded chicken breast bites are coated in breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese then air fried until golden and crisp. They also happen to be egg-free, so they’re great for kids with egg allergies. No air fryer? No worries! Bake them in the oven using this Baked Chicken Nugget recipe. If you want a fast food, take-out style chicken nugget, try these chicken nuggets made with ground chicken. You might also like these air fryer chicken tenders and this air fryer chicken breast.
Why I Love Making Helathy Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer!
I was super happy to test out my original oven Baked Chicken Nuggets in my air fryer. The results came out excellent in the air fryer, they were crispier and took half the time. Whichever way you make them, they will still taste great.
And what can be more kid-friendly than chicken nuggets, even the pickiest kids like them! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard or whatever you like to dip your nuggets into. Adults love them too! I like to serve them with lemon wedges and a crisp green salad for lunch. These chicken pieces are:
- Healthier than fast food! No deep frying or excess oil.
- High Protein: Each serving has 25 grams of protein!
- Egg Free Chicken Nuggets Recipe: Great of your kid has an egg allergy.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients for Air Fryer Nuggets, see exact measurements in the recipe card below:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into even 1-inch bite sized pieces
- Seasoning: 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil: to get the crumbs to stick to the chicken without using egg
- Whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs: I like using a combo for the best texture, but you can also use one or the other. You can also use gluten-free crumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: I like to mix it with the crumbs, but if you are dairy-free you can omit.
olive oil spray, I used my Misto
Variations
- Play around with the spices, try garlic powder, onion powder, oregano or paprika for more flavor.
- For more protein, skip the oil and use melted butter or use a beaten egg instead.
How to make air fryer chicken nuggets
Here’s the step by step directions. See the recipe card below for exact measurements:
- Put the olive oil in one bowl and combine the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.
- Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Lightly spray the top of the chicken with olive oil spray and air fry 400F 8 to 9 minutes, turning halfway, until golden.
What is an air fryer?
- An air fryer is a counter top kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around food with a mechanical fan at high speed, cooking the food and producing a crispy layer similar to frying, but without all the oil.
- Traditional frying cooks by completely submerging foods in hot oil. The air fryer works alternatively by coating food in a thin layer of oil while circulating air heated up cooks foods like potato chips, chicken, fish, pork chops, french fries or even baked goods, with 70% and 80% less oil than a traditional deep-fryer.
Helpful Tips to Make Healthy Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
- Start with organic chicken, when possible. Trim any excess fat and cut the chicken into equal bite-sized pieces.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, cook them in batches as needed.
- Spray the chicken lightly with oil to get a golden crust, and avoid cooking sprays that have propellant.
- Always turn the chicken nuggets half way, this will ensure even, golden cooking on both sides.
- If you’re serving everything at the same time and cooking in batches, you can add everything back into the basket once it cooks and heat 1 more minute so everything comes out hot at the same time.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. To reheat, air fry until heated though.
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Steak
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into even 1-inch bite sized pieces, from 2 large breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons panko
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- olive oil spray, I used my Misto
Instructions
- Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.
- Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the basket.
- Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then air fry 400F 8 minutes, turning halfway, until golden.
Last Step:
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Notes
For best results:
- Start with organic chicken, when possible. Trim any excess fat and cut the chicken into equal bite-sized pieces.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, cook them in batches as needed.
- Spray the chicken lightly with oil to get a golden crust, and avoid cooking sprays that have propellant.
- Always turn half way, this will ensure even, golden cooking on both sides.
- If you’re serving everything at the same time and cooking in batches, you can add everything back into the basket once it cooks and heat 1 more minute so everything comes out hot at the same time.
