These air fryer chicken nuggets are a homemade version of the classic fast food favorite. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they are crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Best of all, these all-natural, delicious air fryer chicken nuggets are made right from your home kitchen in just 10 minutes. This is the recipe that will make even the pickiest eaters smile from ear to ear.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
The air fryer is great for cooking almost anything, it is quick and leaves food crispy and delicious in under half the time it would take to use any other kitchen appliance. The ones that I'm using are Cuisinart Air fryer oven and Ninja 6-in1. Chicken nuggets are one of the most simple meals to make, and create smiles all around the dinner table. This recipe contains few ingredients and little prep time, so you can be sure to have a meal on the table and enough time to enjoy being with your family too.
Ingredients Needed to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
This recipe consists of a few ingredients, making it the perfect quick and delicious meal. This recipe uses one chicken breast, for more chicken nuggets be sure to adjust the cooking time and measurements for breading and seasonings. Start by collecting the following items:
- 1 large chicken breast cut into 1 inch squares (you may cut into your preferred shape).
- 1 Tablespoon oil (I used Avocado oil)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon buttermilk or cream
- 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
Instructions for Cooking
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F
- Trim the excess fat and unwanted pieces from your chicken.
- Slice up the chicken into bite-sized pieces about ½ inch thick.
- Using oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, liberally season your chicken.
- One piece at a time dip the chicken into the egg wash mixed with buttermilk (or cream), then into the breadcrumbs. (Remember to use one hand for the “wet” and one hand for the “dry” to avoid a big mess!)
- As you add them to the air fryer basket, you’ll want to space them out for even cooking.
- Allow them to air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, or cook until the chicken is fully cooked and the breadcrumbs are crispy.
- Serve with your side of choice and favorite dipping sauce! I served with BBQ sauce and homemade Chipotle sauce.
Tips for Best Air Fryer Nuggets
- Make sure your chicken pieces are cut in equal sizes. This allows for even cooking for each piece and no piece is left undercooked or overcooked.
- Space out nuggets in the air fryer. If you have an overcrowded air fryer, it will restrict airflow and the nuggets will not cook properly, so make sure to have space in between each nugget.
- Preheat the air fryer before putting the chicken in. By having a preheated air fryer you are able to have fully cooked chicken in a more accurate time, if you cook the chicken for 10 minutes at a lower temperature, it will be undercooked.
- Line your air fryer grease tray with aluminum foil. By lining your air fryer first, it creates less hassle in the clean-up process later on.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these chicken nuggets with any side you desire. I recommend air fryer veggies such as crispy broccoli or homemade French fries or even these roasted maple balsamic brussels sprouts. I recommend serving with ranch, BBQ Sauce, homemade copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, or Chipotle homemade dipping sauce, they go great with the veggies and add extra flavor to the nuggets!
Chicken nuggets are a great food item, they are simple and quick to cook, and it's one meal all family members can enjoy, especially the kids. I hope this inspires you to take advantage of your air fryer and experiment with more of your favorite recipes. The less time you have to cook, the more time you can enjoy with your loved ones! Or vice versa. Many times the cooking experience together creates the bond with your loved ones.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Coconut Chicken
- Panko Parm Crusted Chicken
- Juicy Tender Chicken Breast, Brined
- Bacon-wrapped chicken bites
Homemade Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These air fryer chicken nuggets are a homemade version of the classic fast food favorite. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they are crispy on the outside and juicy tender on the inside. Best of all, these all-natural, delicious air fryer chicken nuggets are made right from your home kitchen in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken breast cut into 1 inch squares (you may cut into your preferred shape).
- 1 Tablespoon oil (I used Avocado oil)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon buttermilk or cream
- 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F/200C
- Trim the excess fat and unwanted pieces from your chicken.
- Slice up the chicken into bite-sized pieces about ½ inch thick.
- Using oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, liberally season your chicken.
- One piece at a time dip the chicken into the egg wash mixed with buttermilk (or cream), then into the breadcrumbs. (Remember to use one hand for the “wet” and one hand for the “dry” to avoid a big mess!)
- As you add them to the air fryer basket, you’ll want to space them out for even cooking.
- Allow them to air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, or cook until the chicken is fully cooked and the breadcrumbs are crispy.
- Serve with your side of choice and favorite dipping sauce! Enjoy!
Notes
Tips for Best Air Fryer Nuggets
- Make sure your chicken pieces are cut in equal sizes. This allows for even cooking for each piece and no piece is left undercooked or overcooked.
- Space out nuggets in the air fryer. If you have an overcrowded air fryer, it will restrict airflow and the nuggets will not cook properly, so make sure to have space in between each nugget.
- Preheat the air fryer before putting the chicken in. By having a preheated air fryer you are able to have fully cooked chicken in a more accurate time, if you cook the chicken for 10 minutes at a lower temperature, they will be undercooked.
- Line your air fryer grease tray with aluminum foil. By lining your air fryer first, it creates less hassle in the clean up process later on.
Sherrie
Hello - this looks so good I am planning to make this for our next get-together. One of the ingredients you have us get is "2 tbsp of buttermilk or cream". I don't know what to do with this. The 2 tbsp of buttermilk or cream is not included in your instructions. Are we supposed to put the cut up chicken in with the buttermilk to tenderize them? Please help me on this one.
Thank you for all your other great air fryer recipes.
Irina
I apologize. I have updated the recipe card. The buttermilk is mixed with an egg to create the egg wash. Buttermilk or cream makes the egg wash thicker, which helps to keep the breadcrumbs stuck on better.
Patricia
These all sound delicious, but I can't chew many kinds of meat. Do you have ground turkey or tilapia recipes?
Irina
HI Patricia. How about Air fryer Salmon or Chicken fritters, so soft and amazingly delicious