Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets is the best mom hack! When you don't want to spend money or leave the house to sit through the drive thru, cook these and no one will know the difference! Plus you'll love knowing what goes into your food, especially when it comes to your kids!
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Check out my Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Caesar Wraps and my Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas for more chicken recipe ideas!
I love to make these homemade chicken nuggets recipe in the air fryer because it's so quick and easy. Juicy, salty, crispy, flavorful, and a HUGE hit with kids and adults. Ditch the fast food and try this homemade version.
Keep the whole family happy with this super easy recipe. Pair the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, homemade chicken nuggets are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- A homemade recipe to enjoy fresh nuggets right from your own kitchen!
- The nuggets are not full of fast food preservatives, but with the same great taste!
- They’re high in protein, easy to make, and a favorite weeknight dinner option!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Chicken: You can grind boneless, skinless chicken breast in a food processor if needed.
- Eggs: Helps the breading to adhere to the chicken.
- Spices (kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pepper): All enhance flavor and give these nuggets their amazing flavor.
- Cornstarch: This makes the nuggets crispier with a lighter coating.
- Water: Helps the breading to adhere to the chicken.
- Flour: The flour adds flavor to the meat.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a food processor or mixer, blend the chicken, 1 egg and salt until chicken resembles a paste.
Step 2: Form the chicken into tablespoon sized nuggets. Dredge the nuggets in cornstarch to fully coat. Set aside.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, seasonings, egg and water. Mix well until a smooth batter form.
Step 4: Place a nugget on a fork to dip into the batter. Let excess batter drip off.
Step 5: Spray the air fryer basket with a cooking oil spray, then preheat the air fryer to 400 °F.
Step 6: Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. You may need to air fry in batches, depending on the size of your fryer.
Step 7: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked through. Flip the chicken halfway through the cook time.
Step 8: Allow nuggets to cool before eating. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- You can make your own ground chicken by placing chopped up chicken breasts in a food processor and pulsing to the right consistency.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking. I cook the nuggets in several batches.
- The best chicken nuggets are crispy, so be sure to press the breading into each nugget piece all the way around to be sure the breading sticks.
- Save time by doubling or tripling this recipe, so you have plenty of extra nuggets to stick in the freezer for future meals.
Variations
- Add a bit of cayenne pepper to the spice mix, if you like a little heat!
- Mix of the seasonings by adding Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, Italian seasonings, etc.
- Serve the nuggets with an array of dipping sauces!
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
Freezing: Let the chicken nuggets cool completely before transferring them to a cookie sheet. Freeze them in a single layer on the cookie sheet to ensure that they don’t stick together, then transfer the frozen chicken nuggets to a freezer safe zip top bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer so that they’re nice and crispy.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! Once breaded, place the nuggets on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and bake at 400 °F for 10 minutes. Flip, spray and cook an additional 8 minutes. Broil for a few additional minutes to brown nuggets.
Yes! These make a great freezer meal prep idea. Place uncooked frozen nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Flash freeze and transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze for 1-2 months. To bake, place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake at 400 °F for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.
Some of my favorites to serve with these nuggets are corn on the cob, salad, fruit, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese and pasta salad.
More Chicken Recipes You'll Love
Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a food processor or mixer, blend the chicken, 1 egg and salt until chicken resembles a paste.
- Form the chicken into tablespoon sized nuggets. Dredge the nuggets in cornstarch to fully coat. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, seasonings, egg and water. Mix well until a smooth batter form.
- Place a nugget on a fork to dip into the batter. Let excess batter drip off.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a cooking oil spray, then preheat the air fryer to 400° F.
- Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, in a single layer. You may need to air fry in batches, depending on the size of your fryer.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked through. Flip the chicken halfway through the cook time.
- Allow nuggets to cool before eating. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
- You can make your own ground chicken by placing chopped up chicken breasts in a food processor and pulsing to the right consistency.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking. I cook the nuggets in several batches.
- The best chicken nuggets are crispy, so be sure to press the breading into each nugget piece all the way around to be sure the breading sticks.
- Save time by doubling or tripling this recipe, so you have plenty of extra nuggets to stick in the freezer for future meals.
- Storing: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
- Freezing: Let the chicken nuggets cool completely before transferring them to a cookie sheet. Freeze them in a single layer on the cookie sheet to ensure that they don’t stick together, then transfer the frozen chicken nuggets to a freezer safe zip top bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer so that they’re nice and crispy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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