These homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a quick, easy, delicious, and kid-approved lunch or dinner idea. They’re made from scratch without any oil, so they are a healthier option than their fast-food or store-bought counterparts. Make a double batch so you always have some in the freezer!
Homemade Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
Air fryer chicken nuggets are a healthy adult twist on a kid favorite, so we can indulge our inner child without any guilt. These oil-free homemade nuggets are just as crispy as what you’d order at a restaurant and they taste way better, too!
If you do have kids in the house, you’ll definitely want to make a double batch and keep some handy in the freezer because they will love them. Serve with french fries, mac and cheese, or a salad for a more grown-up side dish.
Ingredients Needed
All you need for your homemade chicken nuggets are a few seasonings, butter, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and, of course, chicken.
(Scroll to the bottom for our easy printable recipe with the complete directions.)
- Boneless skinless chicken breast
- Seasonings – Dried parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper season the chicken.
- Unsalted butter – Melted butter takes the place of an egg wash and gives a slightly rich flavor to the breading.
- Panko breadcrumbs – I prefer panko to regular breadcrumbs as they are lighter and crispier.
- Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan not only gives the best flavor but also melts the easiest.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Making these crispy chicken nuggets in the air fryer is a quick and easy process.
(Scroll to the bottom for our easy printable recipe with the complete directions.)
- Prepare the seasonings and breading mixture. Combine the seasonings in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
- Cut the chicken into nuggets. Trim any fat from the chicken then cut into 1/2-inch thick strips. Slice each strip into 2 to 3 nuggets.
- Add the breading. Sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning then dip into the bread crumbs. Be sure to press to adhere.
- Air fryer. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 390F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
- Serve. Remove from the basket. Serve right away with your preferred dipping sauce.
How Long To Cook Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer?
The exact amount of time it takes to cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer will depend on the thickness of the nuggets as well as your air fryer as each one cooks slightly differently. In my air fryer, with 1/2-inch thick nuggets, it took a total of 9 to 10 minutes, flipping once. (Always use a thermometer to make sure the nuggets have an internal temperature of 165F before removing them from the air fryer.)
Can I Double This Recipe?
Of course! This recipe makes about 21 chicken nuggets from one chicken breast. To double the recipe, simply use two chicken breasts to make 42 nuggets, which is comparable to the amount you get in a bag from the grocery store.
Note that if you’re making a double batch you will definitely need to cook the nuggets in batches as you don’t want to crowd the air fryer basket.
I like to prepare a double batch and freeze some (directions below) so there’s always a quick lunch or dinner on hand.
Serving Suggestions
Ask any kid and they’ll tell you that chicken nuggets must be served with either french fries or mac and cheese, alongside some ketchup and ranch dressing for dipping.
Of course, as adults, we can be a bit more creative and pair these with some onion rings or even some zucchini fries. BBQ sauce, yum yum sauce, and Chick-fil-A sauce all make great dipping options too!
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- How to store leftovers. Leftover homemade chicken nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- How to reheat leftovers. For crispy nuggets, pop them back in the air fryer for 5 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, though they won’t have that crispy outer texture.
- To freeze. To freeze cooked chicken nuggets, allow them to cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and transfer to the freezer until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe ziploc bag. (Flash freezing first prevents them from sticking together.) They should keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Do not thaw, but place them in Air Fryer and bake for 8 to 9 minutes or for 19 to 20 minutes in the oven. Check one to make sure they are heated through.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Crab Rangoon
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Toasted Ravioli
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the dried parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another small bowl, combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
- Trim any excess fat from chicken breast. Slice into 1/2-inch thick strips, then each slice into 2 to 3 nuggets.
- Sprinkle the chicken pieces with the seasoning mixture and then dip each piece into the breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere.
- Place nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer without touching. (Cook in batches if necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer.)
- Air fry for 6 minutes, flip them over and air fry for another 3 to 4 minutes. (Check nuggets with a thermometer and make sure they have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. If not, air fry for a few more minutes. Exact cooking time will vary depending on the size of your nuggets, your air fryer, etc.)
- Remove nuggets from basket with tongs and set onto a plate to cool.
- Serve right away with your favorite dipping sauce.
These were great!
great tasting! just the little one who is a very picky eater said” they taste different!”