Homemade Crispy chicken nuggets in the air fryer are perfect for a quick and convenient meal. It’s a simple way to enjoy delicious nuggets with less oil and mess.
The air fryer crisps up the outside beautifully, while keeping the inside tender. A fantastic way to enjoy a healthier, homemade nugget that still tastes amazing.
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Ingredients you will need
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is ideal as it is lean and provides a good texture for chicken nuggets.
Onion and Garlic: For the best flavor, add fresh onion and garlic. However, you can use onion and garlic powder if that's what you have.
Chicken stock cubes: add a lovely umami-rich flavor. Chicken cubes can be pretty salty, so adjust the salt accordingly.
Paprika: Enhances the overall taste without overpowering the other ingredients. Depending on your preference, you can use sweet, smoked, or hot paprika.
Dried oregano and dried parsley: Together, they create a well-rounded herbal note that complements the overall taste.
Salt: Add salt carefully, considering the saltiness of the chicken stock cube.
Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent, helping the cornflour and breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
Cornflour: provides a light and crispy texture to the nuggets.
Breadcrumbs: Adds that satisfying crunch to the nuggets. I used panko, but you can use regular or even gluten-free breadcrumbs based on your preference. They help lock in moisture and give the nuggets a nice, golden color.
Oil: A light oil spray helps the nuggets crisp up beautifully in the air fryer without adding too much fat. I like to use a neutral oil like canola or avocado oil for even cooking and a golden finish.
Instructions Step-By-Step
Prep the ingredients:
- Pat the chicken breast with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then chop the chicken into small pieces, roughly chop the onion, peel the garlic cloves, and crumble the chicken cube. Set everything aside for blending.
Prepare the ground chicken mixture:
- Add chicken, onion, garlic, chicken stock cube, paprika, oregano, parsley, and salt in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Shape the nuggets:
- Transfer the blended chicken nugget mixture into a bowl. Add a little oil and mix well until combined.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions.
- Using your hands, shape each portion into a square or nugget form.
Coat the nuggets:
- Arrange three bowls with cornflour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
- Use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet to avoid a mess. Dip each nugget into the cornflour, then into the beaten egg, and finally coat it with the breadcrumbs, ensuring each nugget is evenly covered.
Air fry the nuggets:
- Spray a little oil in the air fryer basket.
- Place the coated nuggets in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch.
- Spray a little more oil on top of the nuggets.
- Air fry to 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked.
Serve:
- Enjoy air-fried chicken nuggets with your preferred dip!
Note: Cooking times for chicken nuggets in an air fryer can change depending on how thick the nuggets are and the wattage of your air fryer. Air fryers with higher wattage usually cook faster, so you might need to adjust the time to get them nice and crisp.
VIDEO: Watch how I did it
Chicken Nuggets Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Here’s a guide on storing and making chicken nuggets ahead of time:
Storing
Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy and heated through.
Making Ahead
You can prepare chicken nuggets ahead of time by breading them and then freezing them uncooked. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. No need to thaw, cook directly from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
With your favorite dipping sauces: Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces. Ketchup, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard are popular options. You can also enjoy them with our Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Wingstop Copycat Ranch, or Mayo Ketchup Sauce.
In a Wrap: Wrap the nuggets in a tortilla with some lettuce and a drizzle of your favorite sauce for a quick wrap.
With Veggies: Pair the nuggets with carrot sticks or cucumber slices for a healthy side.
FAQs
No dried oregano or parsley?
Feel free to use any dried, fresh, or mixed herbs you like. The flavor will still be great with whatever herbs you choose.
What if I don’t have chicken stock cube?
If you don’t have chicken stock cube, you can skip adding it. The chicken nuggets will still be perfectly good without it.
You may like these:
- Garlic Bread Recipe in Air Fryer
- Smashed Potatoes in Air Fryer
- Cheesy Ramen Noodles
- 10 Minutes Spicy Ramen
- Soya Chunks Potato Curry
If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.
Recipe
Homemade Crispy Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450g chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- ¼ medium onion roughly chopped
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- ½ chicken stock cube approx. 5g
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano sweet or smoked
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cornflour
- 1-2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- oil
Instructions
Prep the ingredients:
- Pat the chicken breast with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then chop the chicken into small pieces, roughly chop the onion, peel the garlic cloves, and crumble the chicken cube. Set everything aside for blending.
Prepare the ground chicken mixture:
- Add chicken, onion, garlic, chicken stock cube, paprika, oregano, parsley, and salt in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Shape the nuggets:
- Transfer the blended chicken nugget mixture into a bowl. Add a little oil and mix well until combined.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions.
- Using your hands, shape each portion into a square or nugget form.
Coat the nuggets:
- Arrange three bowls with cornflour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
- Use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet to avoid a mess. Dip each nugget into the cornflour, then into the beaten egg, and finally coat it with the breadcrumbs, ensuring each nugget is evenly covered.
Air fry the nuggets:
- Spray a little oil in the air fryer basket.
- Place the coated nuggets in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch.
- Spray a little more oil on top of the nuggets.
- Air fry to 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked.
Serve:
- Enjoy air fried chicken nuggets with your preferred dip!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is a general estimate only. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used. For the most accurate information, please consult a registered dietitian or use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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