Tired of soggy store-bought chicken nuggets? Upgrade to our Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe! Crunchy, juicy and made with simple ingredients, these nuggets are sure to be a hit with the whole family. And for those who love a little bit of spice, we even have a spicy option!

Craving crispy, juicy chicken nuggets but don’t want to leave the house or wait in a long drive-thru line? These Homemade Chicken Nuggets are the perfect solution! These nuggets are made with simple ingredients and cooked in an air fryer. They’re ready in minutes and taste even better than the drive-thru version. Plus, you can customize them to your liking by adding hot sauce for a tangy kick or using plain breadcrumbs for a different texture. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, feeding a crowd or satisfying comfort food cravings.
Cooking with an air fryer
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air and a small amount of oil to cook food, resulting in a crispy and delicious finish. This cooking method gives you the same crispy texture as frying, but with less oil and fat. This makes air frying a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying.
You can use either a drawer pull out style air fryer or a toaster oven style air fryer for this recipe. Drawer pull-out air fryers are usually larger and have a pull-out drawer in which the food is cooked. Countertop toaster-style air fryers have a more compact design and often have multiple functions, such as toasting, baking, and grilling, in addition to air frying. Both types of air fryers work well for this recipe, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the size of your kitchen.
It’s important to note that when using an air fryer, it’s best to use little oil and not overcrowd the basket, as this can result in uneven cooking. It’s also important to occasionally shake or turn the food during cooking to ensure even crispiness.
substitutions
If you don’t want to use melted butter, you can substitute 1/2 cup buttermilk for the melted butter. If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs on hand, you can use regular breadcrumbs, but they will be less crispy.
Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken nuggets and how cooked you want them to be. In this recipe, the chicken nuggets are cooked at 390-400°F for 8-9 minutes, turning halfway through. It’s important to check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure it has reached 165°F before eating.
Yes, you can cook other foods in the air fryer with chicken nuggets. However, it is best to cook foods with similar cooking times together. For example, you can prepare vegetables or French fries next to chicken nuggets. Make sure all the food you’re cooking is in an even layer in the air fryer for best results, or use some of the air fryer accessories that allow you to stack different items.
Yes, it is necessary to preheat the air fryer before cooking the chicken nuggets. This will ensure the nuggets cook evenly and reach the desired doneness. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for at least 5 minutes before adding the chicken nuggets.
Yes, you can use other types of breading for chicken nuggets. You can use regular breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, shredded granola, or even cracker crumbs. You can also mix different types of breadcrumbs for a unique texture and taste.


Tired of soggy store-bought chicken nuggets? Upgrade to our Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe! Crunchy, juicy and made with simple ingredients, these nuggets are sure to be a hit with the whole family. And for those who love a little bit of spice, we even have a spicy option!
ingredients
- 2 boneless Skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and diced
- 1/2 Cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 Cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Cup melted salted butter
instructions
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In a small mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, and salt.
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Dip the chicken pieces in the melted butter, then add them to the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate or skillet.
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Preheat air fryer to 390-400°F. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer, making sure to leave space between each piece. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
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Spray the chicken with cooking oil.
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Bake the chicken for 8-9 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Serve and enjoy!
Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 7G | Protein: 15G | Fat: 27G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 16G | Polyunsaturated fat: 1G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 7G | Trans fats: 1G | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 995mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 1G | Sugar: 1G | Vitamin A: 805ie | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg