Crispy, golden brown, and juicy on the inside, air fryer chicken nuggets are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones, and they are incredibly easy to make. Ready in just 15 minutes, they are perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal or snack. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce, for a complete meal. This article provides three flavorful variations of air fryer chicken nuggets: classic, buffalo, and Parmesan-herb. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can whip up a batch of these delectable nuggets in no time. Get ready to satisfy your cravings with these air fryer chicken nugget recipes that are sure to become a family favorite.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS
Why have frozen chicken nuggets when you can have them fresh and homemade? They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, thanks to the air fryer.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mix buttermilk and chicken in a large bowl and let soak while you prepare the seasoned flour.
- Combine flour, Parmesan cheese, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Pour bread crumbs onto a flat plate.
- Dredge each chicken nugget first in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally coat in breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray the basket with cooking spray. Place as many nuggets into the basket as you can without overcrowding. Lightly mist the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10 minutes. Flip chicken nuggets and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove and repeat with remaining nuggets.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.4 calories, Carbohydrate 33.5 g, Cholesterol 118.5 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 33.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 563.8 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
AIR FRYER CHICKEN NUGGETS
Air fryer chicken nuggets are absolute perfection! They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and are just waiting to be dipped in any of your favorite sauces! Your family will go crazy over them!
Provided by Alyssa Rivers
Categories Dinner Main Course
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour, salt and pepper. In a separate small bowl whisk the oil and minced garlic. In another small bowl combine the Panko, parmesan, parsley, and paprika.
- Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the oil, and lastly the Panko. Make sure to evenly coat each one.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the tenders inside.
- Cook the at 400 degrees for 7 minutes, then flip and cook another 7-10 minutes until crispy.
- Serve warm with homemade honey mustard
Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 34 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 87 mg, Sodium 788 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
Tips:
- To ensure crispy and evenly cooked nuggets, ensure your air fryer is preheated before adding the chicken. For most air fryers, preheat to around 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- For a healthier version, use chicken breasts or tenders that are skinless. Alternatively, remove the skin from the chicken thighs or drumsticks before cutting them into chunks.
- Make sure your chicken is evenly coated in the breading mixture. This will help them cook evenly and provide a crispy coating.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Place the chicken nuggets in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook the chicken nuggets until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it's cooked thoroughly.
- Serve the chicken nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!