Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Next time you have a chicken nugget craving, grab your favorite sauce and put these homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets on the plate! This is one of my favorite air fryer recipes for fast food crispy chicken nuggets.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why you'll love it
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🥄 Equipment
• 🥫Storage
• 📖 Variations
• 💭 Tips
• 📚 Related Recipes
• 🍽 Serve with...
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

• These low fat homemade chicken nuggets made with fresh ingredients and and a light breading.
• It is a kid-friendly dinner you will feel good about feeding to them.
• Air fryer chicken nuggets are a healthier way to enjoy a fast food item without the added fat of deep frying.

🥘 Ingredients

Chicken tenders: I buy the tenders cut, but you can buy whole chicken breasts or thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Panko breadcrumbs: I used panko for extra crispy chicken pieces

Parmesan cheese: adds flavor and crisp to the coating

Italian seasoning and salt: to enhance flavor

Large egg: helps the breading sticking to the nugget

Olive oil non-stick cooking spray: to prevent sticking and helps to crisp the breading without drying it out.

*for complete instructions and ingredient amounts, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post

🔪 Instructions

1. In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg until foamy. Pour egg mixture over top of chicken tenderloins.
2. In another shallow bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, italian seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine.
3. With a slotted spoon, remove several chicken nugget pieces from the egg wash. Shake to remove excess and place chicken in the panko mixture. Cover chicken pieces with panko breading and press to adhere.
4. Place chicken pieces in a single layer on an air fryer tray, leaving room between the chicken to allow air to circulate around the chicken.

🥄 Equipment

Air fryer

Shallow bowls

Slotted spoon

🥫Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days or the freezer up to 3 months.

To reheat, place chicken nuggets in the air fryer and heat for 5 minutes, or until hot.

📖 Variations

• Add your favorite spices to the panko batter to add variety of flavor in the coating.

💭 Tips

• For best results, spray the nuggets and air fryer tray or basket with non stick cooking spray. This prevents the nuggets from sticking to the tray and nuggets to get their crispiest.
• Make a double batch of these air fryer nuggets and freeze half of them for another meal.
• To save time, pour the egg wash over the nuggets then scoop with a slotted spoon, draining any excess egg off and place in the panko mixture.
• Be sure to place nuggets on the air fryer tray with space between them to allow air to circulate around them. If using an air fryer with trays, halfway through turn nuggets over and rotate the trays.

📚 Related Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a healthier version than deep fried!

These Keto Chicken Nuggets are made with canned chicken and can be baked or air fried.

Butter Pecan Nuggets are a sweet shortbread cookie that will melt in your mouth!

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are crispy potatoes filled with cheese and bacon and ready in ust 30 minutes.

Another great kid-friendly and healthier air fryer recipe is this recipe for Air Fryer Fish Sticks.

🍽 Serve with...

Serve with your favorite dipping sauces or toss with a buffalo sauce and serve with ranch dressing and a side of crispy french fries or onion rings.

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📖 Recipe