Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Introduction
These homemade air fryer chicken nuggets are crispy, flavorful, and ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a quick snack or a family-friendly meal, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional fried nuggets without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients
- Cooking/oil spray
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into 1″ to 1.5″ cubes)
- ⅓ cup olive oil (more if needed)
- 1½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut the chicken breasts into 1″ to 1.5″ cubes and set aside.
- Step 2: Prepare two bowls: one with olive oil, and the other with a mixture of panko, parmesan, and sweet paprika.
- Step 3: Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Dip each chicken cube into the olive oil, then coat it thoroughly in the panko mixture. Place the coated nugget into the air fryer basket. Repeat until full, making sure not to overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary.
- Step 5: Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the nuggets for 8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 6: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, spray the coated nuggets lightly with oil before air frying.
- Try adding garlic powder or cayenne pepper to the panko mix for added flavor.
- Substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.
- Use other dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue for variety.
Storage
Store leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispiness before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh chicken breasts cut into cubes. If using frozen, thaw completely before coating and air frying to ensure even cooking.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the nuggets in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
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Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a quick and easy recipe perfect for a healthy, crispy, and juicy snack or meal. Using simple ingredients like chicken breasts, olive oil, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and paprika, these nuggets get perfectly cooked and crunchy in the air fryer in just 8 minutes. Ideal for a family-friendly dish, they pair wonderfully with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into 1” to 1.5” cubes)
Coating
- ⅓ cup olive oil (more if needed)
- 1½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Additional
- cooking/oil spray for air fryer basket
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut up your chicken breasts into 1” to 1.5” cubes and set them aside for easy coating.
- Set Up Coating Station: In one bowl, pour the olive oil. In another bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated parmesan, and sweet paprika thoroughly to create the coating mixture.
- Prep Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spritz the inside of the air fryer basket with oil spray to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Coat Chicken Nuggets: Dip each chicken cube into the olive oil, ensuring it is well coated. Then roll the chicken piece into the panko, parmesan, and paprika mixture until fully covered. Place the coated nuggets into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer without overcrowding. Repeat the process until all chicken pieces are coated. Air fry the nuggets in batches if necessary.
- Cook Nuggets: Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook the chicken nuggets for 8 minutes. Check for doneness; nuggets should be golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Carefully remove the nuggets from the air fryer and serve hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispy and even cooking.
- If cooking in batches, keep cooked nuggets warm in a low oven while finishing the rest.
- Adjust cooking time slightly if chicken pieces are larger or smaller than 1-1.5 inches.
- Parmesan cheese adds a delicious savory flavor, but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee that chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade chicken nuggets, air fryer chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets, easy chicken nugget recipe
