These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy fast food at home without the guilt – you can freeze them, too!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts – boneless skinless chicken thighs would also work.
- Buttermilk – substitute for one cup of regular milk and one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Breadcrumbs – use panko, cornflakes or rice cereal for the best crunch.
- Parmesan cheese – try using asiago or pecorino romano or leave the cheese out altogether.
- Garlic powder – onion powder would be the best substitute here.
- Paprika – chili powder will provide a similar flavour.
- Salt & black pepper – to taste.
- Cooking spray – like avocado spray or olive oil spray.
How to make chicken nuggets in the air fryer
Step 1: Soak the chicken in buttermilk.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then soak it in a large bowl of buttermilk for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix together the dry ingredients.
Mix together 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
Step 3: Drain and coat the chicken.
Drain the buttermilk from the chicken pieces, then add them to the dry mixture and toss well to coat.
Step 4: Add to the air fryer.
Add the chicken to the preheat air fryer in a single layer.
Step 5: Cook the chicken.
Cook for 4 mins, then flip and cook for another 4 mins. Cook in two batches if needed.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Serve with carrots, celery and your favourite dipping sauces.
Tips for the best chicken nuggets
Here are some of my top tips for getting the best air fryer chicken nuggets every time:
- Use panko bread crumbs: They have larger, crunchier flakes and will ensure you get extra-crispy nuggets. Cornflakes or rice cereal will also work well.
- Dredge the chicken: After soaking the chicken in buttermilk, dredge it well before tossing it in the dry mixture.
- Pre-heat the air fryer: Don't skip this step! Preheat the air fryer for 8 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit before cooking the nuggets so they get nice and crispy.
- Cook in a single layer: Make sure to cook the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You don't want them to overcrowd each other or they'll get soggy. Cook in two batches if needed.
- Serve with dipping sauces: Serve your air fryer nuggets with BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, hot honey or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken nuggets are ready in a flash in the air fryer – you just need to cook them for 4 minutes per side (8 minutes total). Make sure you cook them in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Yes! You can reheat cooked frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer, you’ll just have to add to the cooking time. Instead of 4 minutes per side, I’d suggest popping them in for 6-7 minutes per side.
For this air fryer chicken nuggets recipe, you’ll need to cook the nuggets at 400° Fahrenheit.
I like to keep it simple and serve my air fryer chicken nuggets with some veggies and dip on the side. You can also serve them with some frozen fries or tater tots, which can also be made in the air fryer!
There are a few easy swaps that will make these chicken nuggets dairy-free. Just make vegan buttermilk using your favourite plant-based milk and lemon juice, and swap out the parmesan for nutritional yeast. To make them gluten-free, use panko, cornflakes or rice cereal instead of breadcrumbs.
Storing and reheating
You can store these air fry chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s best to reheat them in the air fryer so they stay nice and crispy! You could also reheat them in the oven on a sheet pan for 10-15 minutes at 375° Fahrenheit, or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (but I find that microwaving them takes away the crispiness).
Freezing this recipe
These air fryer chicken nuggets are definitely freezer-friendly! You can make a big batch and freeze them for up to 3 months in a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container. This is a great option for busy parents looking to prep a bunch of easy meals ahead of time.
When you’re ready to enjoy your nuggets, reheat them in the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit. You could also reheat them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20 minutes at 375° Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through, but I find that the air fryer is just so much faster and ensures you get that amazing crispy finish.
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Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets {Super Easy}
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- Cooking spray
To serve
- Carrots and celery
- Dips of your choice (I used honey mustard, ranch and chipotle mayo)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, soak chicken in buttermilk for 5 min. Preheat Airfryer for 8 minutes on 400 F.
- Mix breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder and salt and pepper together in another large bowl. Drain buttermilk from chicken pieces, then add chicken to breadcrumb mixture then toss well to coat.
- Add chicken to Airfryer once it's done preheating, adding nuggets in a single layer and spraying with cooking spray. Cook for 4 min, then flip and cook another 4 min. You may need to do the chicken in two batches.
- Serve with carrots and celery and your fave dipping sauces. Enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Jon Weaver says
Made these tonight for my wife and myself, they are amazing. Very similar to Chick-fil-A nuggets. So tender, I’m guessing because of the buttermilk. Marinaded for more like 10-15 minutes as I was getting everything else together. Thanks for sharing this!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!!! 🙂
Amy Hahne says
This tasted soooo good! And was easy too. A perfect recipe! Thanks.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Amy 🙂