Air fryer ground chicken nuggets come out hot, crispy, and packed with flavor in just 20 minutes flat. The ingredients are simple, the steps are easy, and kids go nuts for them. Serve them fresh with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them vanish faster than you made them.
These nuggets are way healthier than anything you’d grab from the freezer aisle, with no preservatives, fillers, or mystery ingredients. They’ve got that classic fast food texture kids go wild for, thanks to the ground chicken, and you get to control every single ingredient. Best of all, they’re air fried, so you still get that crispy outside without all the heaviness of deep frying!
Contents
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Fast and easy: From fridge to table in just 20 minutes.
- Healthier choice: Air fried, not deep fried, with no mystery ingredients.
- Kid-approved: That classic nugget texture kids (and let’s be honest, adults) can’t resist.
- Freezer-friendly: Make extra and keep some on hand for busy days.
- Totally customizable: Swap the spices, change the coating, make them your own.
🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions
- Ground chicken: Gives that smooth, fast food-style nugget texture. You can also use ground turkey for a similar vibe.
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika: Simple spices that bring tons of flavor. Regular paprika works too, and add a pinch of cayenne if you want a little heat.
- Panko breadcrumbs: These keep the coating light and crispy. Gluten-free panko or seasoned breadcrumbs work just as well.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, salty punch. Skip it if you need to, or sub with a dairy-free alternative.
- Eggs: Help the crumbs stick and keep the nuggets from drying out.
- Cornstarch: Gives a light coating before the egg for extra crispness. Arrowroot or potato starch will work too.
🥣 How to make ground chicken nuggets in the air fryer
- Mix the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Use your hands to mix well.
- Set up bowls: Add cornstarch to one small bowl, whisk the eggs into another, and mix the breadcrumbs with parmesan in a third.
- Shape the nuggets: Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of the mixture and form into nugget shapes. You should get around 20 nuggets.
- Coat the nuggets: Dip each nugget in cornstarch, then egg, then the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off extra crumbs so the coating stays light.
- Load the basket: Place nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, giving them space to crisp up.
- Air fry: Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs, until golden brown and cooked inside.
- Serve: Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
🪄 Recipe notes & tips
- Even shapes: Keep the nuggets about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Single layer: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or they won’t crisp up properly.
- Spray lightly: A quick mist of olive oil spray helps the coating turn golden.
- Check doneness: Nuggets should reach 165°F inside before serving.
- Batch cooking: If you make more than one batch, keep the first round warm on a baking sheet in the oven.
🫙 Storage instructions
- Refrigerator: Store cooled nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a bag or container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Snacking: Leftover nuggets are perfect for quick lunches, salads, or late-night snacks.
✨ Variations
- Spicy: Add cayenne, chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
- Herby: Stir dried oregano, parsley, or Italian seasoning into the coating.
- Sauce built-in: Stir a little BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard into the chicken mix for extra flavor inside.
- Crunchy coatings: Swap the panko for crushed cornflakes, buttery crackers, or almond flour. If you’re using almond flour, bake a little longer to help it crisp.
- Other proteins (and more): This coating works with ground beef or other ground meats, pork chop bites, shrimp, or even mushrooms if you’re keeping it meat-free.
- Baked: No air fryer? Bake them on a lined sheet tray at 425°F for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
🍽️ What to serve with homemade chicken nuggets
- Veggies: Air Fryer Carrots, a Microwave Baked Sweet Potato, or Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing make for an easy balanced plate.
- Dips and sauces: Keto Ketchup, Honey Mustard Dressing, Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce, Whole30 Ranch, or buffalo and Blue Cheese Dressing are all perfect for dunking.
- Carbs and sides: Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer, or Mac and Cheese add cozy comfort.
- Bowls: Tuck nuggets into a grain bowl with Instant Pot Basmati Rice, greens, avocado, and your favorite sauce for a fun, filling twist.
- Lunchbox ideas: Pack nuggets with sliced fruit, veggie sticks, and a container of dip for a kid-friendly meal.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How do I get the nuggets to hold their shape better before air frying?
Pop them in the freezer for 30 to 45 minutes after shaping. It firms them up just enough to coat and cook more cleanly without turning into a sticky mess.
Can I make these nuggets ahead of time?
Yes! Store shaped, uncooked nuggets in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or freeze them solid on a tray, then transfer to a bag and keep frozen until you’re ready to air fry.
Should I thaw frozen nuggets before air frying?
No need. You can cook them straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes and check that the centers reach 165°F.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
It depends on your model, but preheating can help the nuggets start crisping right away. If you’re unsure, try preheating for 3 minutes at 400°F and see how your machine handles it.
😋 More easy chicken recipes you’ll love
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
- Crispy Chicken Wings Recipe
- Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Pollo Asado
- Keto Orange Chicken
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (with Ground Chicken)
Ground chicken nuggets in the air fryer come out hot, crispy, and packed with flavor in just 20 minutes flat. The ingredients are simple, the steps are easy, and kids go nuts for them. Serve them fresh with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them vanish faster than you made them.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup breadcrumbs panko or gluten free
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground chicken and spices, and mix well. I like to use my hands for this step.1 lb ground chicken, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Shape the ground chicken mixture into about 20 chicken nuggets. Each nugget will be around 1½ tablespoons of mixture.
- Grab 3 small bowls. Add the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to one bowl and mix well.1 cup breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- To another bowl, add the 2 eggs and whisk them together, and add the cornstarch to the final bowl.2 eggs, ½ cup cornstarch
- Take one chicken nugget and coat it lightly in cornstarch. Then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess. Repeat for the remaining nuggets.
- Add the nuggets to the air fryer in a single layer and air fry for 10 minutes, flipping half way through with tongs.
- Serve with your favorite dip, and enjoy!
Notes
- Even shapes: Keep the nuggets about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Single layer: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or they won’t crisp up properly.
- Spray lightly: A quick mist of olive oil spray helps the coating turn golden.
- Check doneness: Nuggets should reach 165°F inside before serving.
- Batch cooking: If you make more than one batch, keep the first round warm on a baking sheet in the oven.
Storage instructions:
- Refrigerator: Store cooled nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a bag or container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Snacking: Leftover nuggets are perfect for quick lunches, salads, or late-night snacks.
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 27gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 939mgPotassium: 691mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 439IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 2mg
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