Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air fryer chicken nuggets need only a brush of oil to turn crisp and golden, so there is no deep fat fryer and no smell of hot oil. Pieces of chicken breast go through egg and a paprika breadcrumb coating, then cook at 200°C for 10 minutes. The recipe makes about 15 nuggets, enough for two with chips, salad or a dip.
- Total
- 28 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 350kcal
Getting the texture of air fryer chicken nuggets right
Three things decide whether the nuggets come out crisp: dry chicken, an even coating and a little oil on top. The crumbs only brown where they are oiled, so a light brush or spray is worth the extra minute.
Fifteen nuggets fit in one layer in a standard 4–5 litre basket. If yours is smaller, cook them in two rounds of 10 minutes and keep the first lot warm under foil. Crowded nuggets steam and stay pale.
How to make air fryer chicken nuggets
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the chicken Pat the chicken dry with kitchen paper and cut it into about 15 pieces, each roughly 3cm across (about 20g). Pieces of the same size cook at the same speed.
- Mix the coating Beat the egg in a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder and salt.
- Coat the nuggets Dip each piece in the egg, let the excess drip off, then press it into the crumbs until covered on all sides. Wash your hands and the bowls afterwards, as they have touched raw chicken.
- Preheat and load Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for . Brush or spray the nuggets lightly with oil on top and lay them in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between each one.
- Cook Cook for , turning the nuggets over with tongs after and oiling any pale or dry-looking patches, until golden brown.
- Check Cut the biggest nugget in half. It should be steaming hot all the way through, with no pink and clear juices (75°C on a thermometer). Leave to stand for , then serve with a dip.
Dips and what to serve
Serve the nuggets with ketchup, sweet chilli sauce or mayonnaise, and a pile of chips or a green salad. They also work cold in a lunchbox the next day.
For a different cut of chicken, try air fryer chicken skewers, which cook at a similar temperature. Add cayenne pepper or dried thyme to the crumbs for a different flavour.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- The coating falls off the chicken.
- The chicken was wet or the egg was too thick. Pat the pieces dry, let the excess egg drip off, and press the crumbs on firmly. Turn the nuggets gently with tongs once they have set.
- The crumbs stay pale and dry in places.
- Air fryer crumbs only colour where there is a little oil. Brush or spray every exposed side, and lay the nuggets apart so the hot air reaches all of them.
- The nuggets are dry inside.
- Cut the pieces evenly and stop cooking once the biggest one is cooked through. Chicken thigh fillets cut the same way stay juicier than breast if you prefer that.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
How long do you cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
10 minutes at 200°C, turned halfway, for pieces about 3cm across. They are ready when the biggest one is steaming hot all the way through with no pink.
Can you cook them from frozen?
Yes. Freeze the coated raw nuggets on a tray, then bag them. Cook from frozen at 200°C for 12–14 minutes, turning halfway, until steaming hot all the way through. For shop-bought ones, see air fryer frozen chicken nuggets.
What can you use instead of breadcrumbs?
Crushed cornflakes work well and give an extra-crunchy coating. Use the same weight and season them in the same way.
How do you cook them in the oven instead?
Bake on a lined baking tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6 for 18–20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and steaming hot all the way through.
How do you store and reheat leftovers?
Cool them quickly and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 8 ratings
