Healthy Recipes 101

The Heart of The Home Beats in The Kitchen

  • Recipe Index
  • Courses
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
  • Method
    • Air Frying
    • Boiling
    • Broiling
    • Frying
    • Grilling
    • Oven Baked
    • One-Pan
  • About

Hot Tags

  • Juices
  • Chicken
  • Salmon Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Salads
Fact-checked
Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

  • Air Fryer
  • Chicken
  • Side Dishes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Servings 4 servings
Calories 251 kcal
homemade chicken nuggets in air fryer
Jump to Recipe
facebook pinterest twitter Print Recipe

Our air fryer chicken nuggets recipe will make your favorite treat, but better.

If you find yourself ordering Mcnuggets all the time, you don’t have to anymore because this recipe is a boon. Using an air fryer, you can recreate the addictive treat with all those great flavors, but without the oil.

Plus, there will be no greasy stove tops to clean afterward. All you need to do is coat the chicken, press a button, wait impatiently, and enjoy!

air fryer chicken nuggets recipe

So, to get the ingredients list and step-by-step how-to, click here to jump straight to our recipe card. Or, read on and learn some facts about chicken nuggets that may strike your fancy.

Are Chicken Nuggets Healthy?

Chicken nuggets sit near the junk food end of the nutrition spectrum, and for legitimate reasons:

1. High Fat Content

To achieve that crisp, golden exterior, restaurants and fast-food chains cook their chicken nuggets in a deep fryer. This allows the oil to seep into the nuggets, which you will consume later on.

A single gram of fat contains 9 calories while the same mass of protein or carbohydrates carries only 4. Your body needs a certain amount of fat to stay healthy, of course, but a bunch of excess fat just adds extra pounds.

2. High Acrylamide Level

Acrylamide is an odorless, flavorless substance that forms when starch in foods reacts to hot oil, and it’s unhealthy to consume.

Research shows that acrylamide increases your risk of developing cancer. The stuff is particularly prevalent in processed foods like chips, snacks, fries, and basically anything that comes out of a deep-fryer.fIf you’re a fan of deep-fried foods, chances are you’ve been consuming acrylamide throughout your life. But there is a solution.

How Our Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Are Created to be Better

When we learned that air-frying uses very little oil, we knew we needed to try making chicken nuggets in one. This method not only puts far less oil into your body but also decreases the nuggets’ acrylamide level to almost zero.

It was simple to cut out the oil, so next we tackled the sodium and saturated fat content, which the USDA recommends we limit.

Since salt and dipping sauces are the major sources of these nutrients, we simply went easy on them. As a result, the sodium and saturated fat levels are limited to 271mg and 3.8g per serving respectively, less than 17% of the recommended amounts.

how this recipe is created to be better

If you love fast food treats like chicken nuggets but also want to pursue a healthy diet, check out these recipes:

  • Air fryer onion rings
  • Air Fryer Baked Potato
  • Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe
  • Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe

Ingredients for Our Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Now that you know these nuggets will treat you better, let’s get to know what they’re made of:

1. Chicken Cut

Of course, you can’t make chicken nuggets without chicken, and it has to be the most flavorful cut — chicken thigh. It’s our favorite part of the bird because it’s juicier than the breast and has fewer bones than the wings.

If you love the leaner cut, feel free to opt for the breast. Just remember to remove the skin (it will get chewy) and the outcome will always be crispy and delicious.

2. Seasonings

Nuggets wouldn’t be so tasty without the correct seasonings. They determine whether you will reach for seconds with enthusiasm or regret.

For fried foods, we always season ours with onion and garlic powders. Their flavors are much more concentrated then the fresh version so they’ll give you a great savory base.

Next, we wanted a little heat, so we added paprika and chili flakes for their kick. You can add cajun seasoning if you fancy.

And finally, a dash of salt, so your nuggets don’t turn out bland. We only added a little to make the treat tasty and keep the sodium within the allowance.

3. Coating

For the coating, we went for the classics: flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. We did, however, add parmesan and butter to the breadcrumbs to make the nuggets a little more special.

ingredients

With the ingredients ready, let’s cook!

We also have a large collection of air fryer dinner recipes for your reference. Come check them out.

How to Make Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer

Here are what you’ll be doing to make our grease-free air-fryer chicken nuggets:

  1. Preheat the air fryer
  2. Marinate the meat
  3. Mix the breadcrumbs
  4. Coat the chicken
  5. Place the “nuggets” in and cook
  6. Serve with mayonnaise

This is just here to give you an overview of the steps. The more detailed instructions for our air-fryer chicken nuggets recipe are down below.

Jump to Recipe

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in an Air Fryer

So, you have frozen chicken nuggets and are wondering if they can be cooked in an air fryer. Yes, they can.

What they need is a little extra time, allowing the air fryer to first bring them to room temperature, then cook. In our experience, an additional 4-5 minutes is all it takes, since the air fryer heats things very quickly.

To have perfectly air fryer chicken every time, check out our easy chicken air fryer roundup. For more chicken side dish ideas, have a look at our Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and Popcorn Chicken Recipe.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Nuggets

We don’t recommend leaving leftover nuggets because they won’t crisp up again no matter how you reheat them. Instead, they’ll become dry chicken chunks coated in a tough crust.

how to store and reheat

If you have too many raw nuggets for one sitting, you don’t need to cook all of them.

You can cook the extras for only half the time (about 7 minutes), leave them to cool, and freeze them. This will cook them on the inside, and all they’ll need is a second fry with a spray of oil to create that golden, crispy crust.

If you want to include more chicken in your diet, this healthy and delicious chicken recipes or best chicken thigh roundup have bunch of ideas.

how this recipe is created to be better

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

PRINT RATE Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest
This air fryer chicken nuggets recipe makes you a healthier alternative to the classic McDonald’s snack.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 251kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 13 oz skinless boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 3/4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 0.25 oz parmesan grated
  • 1/2 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 medium egg
  • 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  • Place 13 oz chicken-thigh chunks in a bowl. Add 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes, and 1/4 tsp paprika. Mix to coat all the pieces with the seasonings, and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  • In a smaller bowl, mix 3/4 tbsp melted butter, 0.25 oz grated parmesan, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, and 1 tbsp chopped parsley. You can add everything to a food processor and blend instead of mixing if you prefer. Crack an egg into another small bowl and whisk well.
  • Add 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour to the bowl of chicken thighs and mix to coat all of the pieces in flour. Pick up a piece, dip in egg, then breadcrumbs, then egg again, and finally breadcrumbs again. Be sure to coat all sides evenly, and do the same to all of the pieces. Set the nuggets aside on a rack or a large dish.
  • Open the air fryer. Place the nuggets inside in one layer, and cook for 10 minutes. Flip with a pair of tongs, and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Serve with 2 tbsp mayonnaise.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 251 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 144mg48%
Sodium 275mg12%
Potassium 281mg8%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 254IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
homemade chicken nuggets in air fryer
how our recipe is healthier
Previous Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
How our recipe make better
Next Recipe
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
Luna Regina

Luna Regina

facebook instagram pinterest youtube twitter linkedin
Luna is the founder and chief recipe developer of Healthy Recipes 101. Apart from cooking, she also loves reading, programming, exploring the outdoors, and collecting useless facts about everything.

Comments/ Reviews

Cancel reply
homemade chicken nuggets in air fryer
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Recipe Rating




Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Recipe developed by Luna Regina on June 18, 2021 Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD

Latest Recipes

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Satay Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Satay Recipe

Air Fryer Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Chicken
Air Fryer Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Top Pinterest

Banana Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Banana Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe

Strawberry Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Strawberry Papaya Smoothie Recipe

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe

Smoothies
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe

Pineapple Carrot Juice Recipe

Carrot Juice
Pineapple Carrot Juice Recipe

Strawberry Carrot Juice Recipe

Carrot Juice
Strawberry Carrot Juice Recipe

AS SEEN ON
eatthis
parade
bustle
insider
buzzfeed
forbes
cnn
msn
Healthy Recipes 101
We do not offer medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice. Please seek consultation from a qualified health care professional prior to any decision to alter your current diet. Learn more See additional information.
  • Recipe Index
  • Course
  • Method
  • About
  • Cooking Challenge
  • Nutrition Guidelines
  • Recipe Development
  • Cooking Tips
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

facebook instagram pinterest youtube twitter linkedin

Get our latest healthy recipes

Stay up-to-date with our latest RDN-approved recipes, kitchen tips, and healthy eating challenges.

Opt-out at any time by clicking the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom of our email.

Visit our other Healthy101 sites:

Healthykitchen101
© 2021 Healthy Kitchen 101, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Return to Top