Air Fryer Nuggets

This is the best recipe for making chicken nuggets in the air fryer! They are easy to make and come out so crispy. 

I realized I have never really posted one of my core recipes. AIR FRYER NUGGETS! They are the base for so many of the recipes I make but they are always amazing on their own. You can use any type of sauce, which I have tons. There is nothing better than being a grown adult and eating some chicken nuggets for dinner! Especially when they are this healthy!! You can also use this recipe for tenders.

But, that is just to name a few!

You can also dip your air fryer nuggets into any of the delicious sauces I have made:

• Copycat Cane's Sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Copycat Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce

You can also use various store bought sauces as well. G Hughes is one of my favorite brands. They have tons of zero to low point sauces such as BBQ, Polynesian, honey mustard, ketchup or sweet thai chili.

What You Need for Air Fryer Nuggets

You will obviously need an air fryer. I love my Ninja double basket. The one side is the perfect size to cook one serving of shrimp. You can also use a rack or toaster oven style air fryer; however, I do prefer the basket kind for this one.

For the ingredients, it kind of seems like a lot of things, but it really is quite simple to make.

• Chicken tenderloins
• Corn starch (or more flour)
• Flour
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg whites
• Seasonings

However, we can go over some suggestions and substitutions:

Chicken tenderloins

I typically use chicken tenderloins when I need nugget sized chicken, but you can use other cuts of chicken. Chicken tenderloins are already thin, so minimal cutting is required, which is why I like them. However, chicken breasts or chicken thighs can work well too. But, you can use beef, pork or even tofu if you are vegetarian. Any kind of protein will work great in this recipe. Remember to cut the chicken, or your preferable substitution, in the same size, so they are all cooked simultaneously.

Breading

There will be three stages to breading; therefore, I like having three small shallow bowls or Tupperware. The first step of the breading process is covering the chicken pieces in a flour/corn starch/seasonings mix. You can skip the corn starch; however, I do like using it most of the time.

The next step in breading these air fryer nuggets is dredging the chicken in egg whites. I do prefer egg whites as they are not as goopy as real eggs. They are also easier to work with as you just have to pour them into the container. However, you can substitute real eggs if you whisk them first.

The final process to breading the chicken is to cover it in the actual breading. This will be a flour, breadcrumb and seasonings mix. This is nonnegotiable and I have perfected this breading to my liking.

Seasonings

For the seasonings, I am keeping it a little simple as this is just a basic recipe. They will still be flavorful and delicious; however, they will not lean towards any specific cuisine. You can make these air fryer nuggets spicier by adding ground red pepper or chili powder.

You can also use this for a specific cuisine. Such as adding Italian seasonings for an Italian dish, cumin for a Mexican dish or some ground ginger for an Asian style dish.

How to Make Air Fryer Nuggets

Slice chicken tenderloins into bite-sized pieces, about one inch by one inch.

Grab three small shallow bowls; however, I do like to use shallow Tupperware containers.

In one, add half the flour, half the seasonings and the corn starch. Pour the eggs into the second bowl. Finally, in the third, add the rest of the flour, the seasonings and the breadcrumbs. Make sure to combine all of the ingredients thoroughly.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and grease the rack with cooking spray.

One by one, cover the chicken piece in the corn starch/flour. Then, dredge chicken piece in the egg white, being sure to shake off any excess. Finally, cover the chicken in the flour/breadcrumb mixture.

Place each battered chicken piece on the greased air fryer, trying not to let them touch.

Air fry for 3 minutes. Spray the chicken with cooking spray and then air fry for another 2 minutes.

Flip the chicken over and spray any raw flour with cooking spray. Air fry for another 3-4 minutes, or until fully cooked and crispy.

Ground Chicken Nuggets

You can also try making chicken nuggets with ground chicken. They are a little more low carb and keto friendly.

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Air Fryer Nuggets

This is the best recipe for making chicken nuggets in the air fryer! They are easy to make and come out so crispy. 

Click here to automatically calculate your Weight Watchers points. The points are based off of what is actually used as I provide more ingredients to batter the chicken than needed.