If you love McDonald’s nuggets, but not the fact that they are deep fried, then make my air fryer chicken nuggets. I swear, you’ll love them and start making them all the time!
Why this recipe works
We’ve taken our original chicken nugget recipe and converted it to the air fryer! Using an air fryer is much healthier that deep frying foods, and these chicken nuggets have been a blog favorite for years. A true McDonald’s copycat!
Ingredients you will need
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat air fryer to 360F.
- Cut chicken breasts into cubes, then place in a food processor.
- Process chicken into a fine paste. Transfer processed chicken to a bowl.
- Combine salt, parsley, oregano, onion powder, and pepper, and sprinkle over chicken. Combine well.
- Whisk eggs together in a small bowl.
- Combine the flour and salt and put it on a plate.
- Measure chicken paste out with a cookie scoop and roll into 42 balls.
- Roll ball in flour, then coat with egg, and then coat in flour again. Use your fingers to press the ball down to make a nugget. gently shake off excess flour.
- In the air fryer, spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place enough nuggets in air fryer basket so they are not touching.
- Cook at 360F for 7 minutes, then open the air fryer and using a silicone brush, brush lightly with canola oil on both sides of the nuggets.
- Cook for another 7 minutes. Do not open air fryer again until done.
- Remove with tongs and allow to cool before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
In an oven, use the same method to create the nuggets. Line a sheet pan with a cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray so nuggets do not stick to the cookie sheet.
This method will allow you to bake more nuggets at once. Allow the nuggets to cook for 10 minutes in the oven then brush with canola oil on all sides. Return to the oven and allow to bake for 10 more minutes. The oven will take a bit longer due to the surface area and amount of heat escaping, paired with the need to return to temperature once nuggets are back in.
This recipe makes a lot of nuggets, you can certainly cut the recipe in half.
Yes, you can freeze these chicken nuggets. After making the raw nuggets, instead of placing in the air fryer, place them onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Be sure they are not touching, then place into the freezer for a couple hours. Once the nuggets are frozen, you can transfer them to a zipper freezer bag. You should be able to cook them from frozen, but may need to adjust the cooking time.
Air fryer chicken nuggets that taste like McDonald’s without the guilt? Yes please! You know what goes into these nuggets, unlike buying them from the drive up or the freezer section. Bonus – your kids won’t know the difference!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer French Toast Bites
- Air Fryer Apple Fries
- Air Fryer Bagels
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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 18 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts 3-4 breasts (preferably no water added, please see notes)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon parsley flakes
- ¾ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder heaping
- ¼ teaspoon pepper heaping
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- Cooking spray
- Canola oil for basting
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- It’s important to note that some brands of chicken are injected with water. This will affect the consistency of the chicken paste, making it stickier. I use “Smart Chicken” which states on the package “no water added”. You can use whatever you like, simply know that you may find the paste to be sticky if your chicken has been injected.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you will need to cook the nuggets in batches. You want to make sure the air circulates around all sides, so fill the basket, but keep the chicken nuggets from touching.
- All air fryers are different. You may want to experiment with just a couple nuggets at a time at first to find the right temperature. We feel 360 is safe for most, but you can try between 350 and 365.
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360F.
- Cut chicken breasts into cubes, then place in a food processor. Process chicken into a fine paste. Transfer processed chicken to a bowl.
- Combine salt, parsley, oregano, onion powder, and pepper, and sprinkle over chicken. Combine well.
- Whisk eggs together in a small bowl.
- Combine the flour and salt and put it on a plate.
- Measure chicken paste out with a cookie scoop and roll into 42 balls.
- Roll ball in flour, then coat with egg, and then coat in flour again. Use your fingers to press the ball down to make a nugget. gently shake off excess flour.
- In the air fryer, spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place enough nuggets in air fryer basket so they are not touching.
- Cook at 360F for 7 minutes, then open the air fryer and using a silicone brush, brush lightly with canola oil on both sides of the nuggets.
- Cook for another 7 minutes. Do not open air fryer again until done.
- Remove with tongs and allow to cool before serving.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Paula says
Can these be frozen before or after they are air fried?
Sandy Davis says
The grand girls want this every visit. Quick and easy and I can adapt to the young taste buds on some nuggets and use adult seasoning for the grown ups. Will never stop making this recipe..
Love
Pat says
Any particular air fryer you would recommend? I need to purchase & know there are many to choose from.
Amanda Formaro says
I personally use a Cosori air fryer – this one https://amzn.to/2N2Y9Ne
Brittany Botsford says
I really want to try this! Would it work the same if I just used ground chicken?
Amanda Formaro says
Hmm good question. It probably would, though ground chicken has more dark meat in it whereas this recipe uses white meat. The texture might be different too. I’ll be curious to here if you try it and how it works!