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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are perfect for cutting into bite-sized pieces.
  • All-purpose flour: The first step in our breading lineup; it helps create a layer for the egg and breadcrumbs to stick to.
  • Eggs: Help bind the breadcrumbs to our homemade chicken nuggets for a crispy coating.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: I use Panko for maximum crunch—these light airy breadcrumbs make each chicken bite extra crispy.
  • Cooking spray: A light mist on the nuggets before air frying gives them a golden-brown finish. A spritz of olive oil works well too.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Method
 

  1. Making crispy chicken nuggets in the air fryer is easier than you’d think! Just follow these simple steps for healthy nuggets that rival any takeout, with a fraction of the oil.
  2. Start by dicing each chicken breast into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Next, bread the chicken pieces. The fastest and easiest way to coat the chicken is by tossing the pieces into a sealable plastic bag with the flour. Seal the bag and give it a good shake until every nugget is evenly coated.
  4. Pieces of chicken breasts covered with flour in a sealable plastic bag.
  5. Bowls containing beaten eggs and breadcrumbs and a bag with chicken nuggets in flour.
  6. Shake off any extra flour from each nugget, dip it into the eggs, then coat it in breadcrumbs, making sure it’s covered on all sides.
  7. Breaded, uncooked chicken nuggets on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  8. Place the breaded chicken nuggets on a baking sheet and repeat with the rest.
  9. Golden brown and crispy chicken nuggets in an air fryer basket.
  10. Cook. Place a batch of nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching. Spray them with cooking spray and air-fry until cooked through, flipping halfway. Repeat until you’ve cooked all the chicken poppers in the air fryer.