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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    Published: Sep 26, 2022 Last updated: Sep 25, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated in an egg and panko coating and cooked in the air fryer to crispy nugget perfection. These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier option to the fast food version and go great with your favorite dipping sauces.
    Featured image for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.
    Overhead image of 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.

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets on a white plate.
    These delicious chicken nuggets are a recipe the whole family will love!
    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

    Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken nuggets.
    Chicken tenderloin cut into chunks are dipped in whipped egg and seasoning panko then fried to crispy perfection.
    Panko breading mixture in a green bowl.
    Panko works with the seasoning and grated parmesan cheese for a extra crispy chicken nugget.
    Chicken pieces in egg wash and a bowl of breading.
    I like to dump the egg wash over the chicken for a quick coating.
    Raw breaded chicken pieces on an air fryer tray.
    Scoop the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and place them in the panko, tossing to coat.

    🔪 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

    Overhead image of air fryer chicken nuggets.

    🥫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.
    A piece of chicken being dipped into a sauce.
    Dip Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets in your favorite sauces or enjoy them plain!

    💭 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.

    A white plate with air fryer chicken nuggets and a dip bowl.

    🍽 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.


    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.

    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    Bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated in an egg and panko coating and cooked in the air fryer to crispy nugget perfection. These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a healthier option to the fast food version and go great with your favorite dipping sauces.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 399 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Shallow bowls
    • Slotted Spoon

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ pounds chicken tenderloins
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 large egg
    • Olive oil non-stick cooking spray

    Instructions
     

    • In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg until foamy. Pour egg mixture over top of chicken tenderloins.
    • In another shallow bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, italian seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Air Fry chicken for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from air fryer and turn pieces over. Cook for 10 minutes longer or until outside is golden and chicken is cooked through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 41gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 775mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 1mgNet Carbohydrates: 30g
    Keyword Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Comments

    1. Keely

      September 30, 2022 at 8:23 pm

      Hi! I am excited to try these! But i couldnt find how long in the air fryer and how hot? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        October 01, 2022 at 12:08 pm

        I'm sorry about that! I looks like that last two steps didn't save. I have updated the recipe card now. I hope you enjoy them!
        Shelby

        Reply
        • Keely

          October 02, 2022 at 9:58 am

          Thank you! We'll be excited to try them!

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

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