Is it just me who joined the Air Fryer club late? I always thought it was just another unnecessary kitchen gadget that would clutter my countertop. However, I recently received an air fryer as a gift and boy, was I mistaken! I am absolutely loving it now, especially when it comes to whipping up easy recipes like these Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. They’re incredibly simple to make, I have control over the ingredients, and I can get around 24 homemade chicken nuggets for half the price compared to a fast food joint. #winning!
What You’ll Need for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets are incredibly simple to prepare; all you need are a handful of ingredients.
Buttermilk Alternatives
If you don’t always have buttermilk on hand or find it a bit expensive, there are several alternatives you can use in baked and fried chicken recipes.
- To substitute buttermilk in your recipe, combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Stir the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes before continuing with the recipe. In our Baked Chicken Nuggets recipe, we replaced buttermilk with plain Greek yogurt, resulting in tender and moist nuggets. To create the yogurt mixture, combine ⅓ cup Greek yogurt, ⅛ tsp salt, and 3 Tbsp of water in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and thick enough to coat the chicken. Use this yogurt mixture as a replacement for buttermilk in the recipe.
If you have buttermilk available, it is without a doubt the superior choice over any alternatives.
Recipe Tips For Success!
- To achieve an even distribution of spices, start by adding the spices to the breadcrumbs and mixing them well. Then, add the oil and combine, ensuring the spices are evenly dispersed throughout.
- Ensure that the chicken nuggets are fully coated with the breadcrumb mixture by flipping and pressing them, making sure to cover them evenly on all sides.
- Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer. Just like preheating an oven, it is advisable to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and achieve a crispy exterior for your chicken nuggets.
- To ensure proper air circulation around the chicken, avoid overcrowding the basket. Arrange the nuggets in an even layer, allowing space in between. If necessary, cook them in two separate batches.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
To preserve the texture and flavor of your leftover chicken nuggets, the most effective method for reheating is using an air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer to 375°F. Then, arrange the nuggets in a single layer within the air fryer basket. Cook them for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through, ensuring that their internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What To Serve With Chicken Nuggets
Without a great dipping sauce, a chicken nugget would not be complete. Here are a few of our preferred choices:
If you need more options for side dishes to serve with these chicken nuggets, consider trying our Oven Baked Steak Fries, Homemade Mac and Cheese, a side of Simple Sautéed Vegetables, or a quick Pasta Salad!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken NUggets – Step by Step Photos
Cut the chicken breast into 3/4 inch pieces on a clean cutting board. The number of chicken nuggets you will get may vary, but you should expect around 20-24 nuggets depending on the size of the chicken breast.
Evenly season the chicken pieces by sprinkling ¼ tsp of salt over them. Proceed by adding 1 Tbsp of all-purpose flour and coat the chicken thoroughly by tossing it.
To prepare the breadcrumb mixture, combine 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs, 1 tsp of garlic powder, ½ tsp of smoked paprika, and ½ tsp of salt in a small bowl. Mix the seasonings into the breadcrumbs until well combined. Then, incorporate 2 Tbsp of cooking oil into the breadcrumb mixture, stirring until the oil is evenly distributed and the breadcrumbs resemble damp sand in texture.
Take a separate small bowl and pour in ½ cup of buttermilk. Arrange the chicken nugget pieces, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs in a row. With the help of tongs or your hands, commence the process of coating the chicken nuggets. Start by dipping them in the buttermilk, then transfer them to the breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coat of breadcrumbs on each piece.
Place the coated chicken pieces aside.
To begin, set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and allow it to preheat. Once it’s fully preheated, arrange the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer without overcrowding. If necessary, you can cook the chicken nuggets in two separate batches.
Flip the nuggets halfway through and air fry for a total of 8 minutes.
Take out the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, serve them alongside your preferred dipping sauce. Bon appétit!
