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featured air fryer chicken nuggets.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 431kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
Crispy and tender, these air fryer chicken nuggets are quite simply the best! Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and so quick and easy to make, they are the perfect appetizer!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour divided
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (see below for homemade option)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2x2-inch chunks

Instructions

For the Breadcrumbs

  • Depending on the size of the bread, you can make your own bread crumbs from about four slices of bread. Place bread in the basket, and set time for about 5-7 minutes at 350°F, flipping over halfway. The air fryer makes the bread very crisp! I put my bread into the food processor, and in just about 30 seconds, I had perfect, fresh breadcrumbs. (Four slices equaled one cup almost exactly.)

For the Chicken Nuggets

  • Using a pastry brush, brush half of the oil onto the basket of your air fryer. This will keep the batter from sticking to the basket as it cooks. Set the basket aside.
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    a red silicone pastry brush brushing oil on the basket of an air fryer.
  • Set out 3 small bowls. Add ½ cup of flour to one bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup flour, milk, and seasonings. Fill the third bowl with the breadcrumbs. Place the bowls next to each other for easy dipping.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, 1 cup breadcrumbs
    batter mixture for air fryer chicken nuggets in a glass bowl with a whisk.
  • Dip each piece of chicken into the flour.
    1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    a chicken nugget dunked in flour in a blue bowl.
  • From the flour mixture, move the nugget to the milk/seasonings mixture and toss to coat.
    a chicken nugget dunked in batter in a glass bowl.
  • Finally, coat each piece with breadcrumbs and place it into the oiled air fryer basket without stacking.
    a chicken nugget dipped in breadcrumbs in a white bowl.
  • Repeat coating for each piece, until all are covered and in the basket (note: don't crowd the basket. You may need to air fry in batches).
    uncooked air fryer chicken nuggets in an air fryer basket.
  • Brush the nuggets with the remaining oil. Select chicken, make sure the temperature is 380°F, and cook on each side for 7 minutes. If you prefer extra crispy, you can cook an additional minute on each side.
  • Serve Immediately.

Video

Notes

  • If in a hurry,  you can pour the flour over the chicken pieces in a larger bowl and toss until covered. It saves a step, but they may not be as evenly coated.
Storage: Store air fryer chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25pound | Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 923mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 208IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 3mg