Air Fryer Ground Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Air fryer chicken nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor from real ingredients you can actually pronounce. Tossed in panko breadcrumbs and air fried until perfectly golden, they taste just like your childhood favorite but without the mystery meat. Kids go wild for them, grown-ups sneak extras off the tray, and no one misses the drive-thru.
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 at 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes, flipping half way through with tongs.
- Serve with your favorite dip, and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t skip the cornstarch: It’s the secret to that extra crispy coating in the air fryer.
- Single layer is key: Crowding the basket traps steam and makes the nuggets soft instead of crisp.
- Flip halfway through: This helps both sides brown evenly and keeps the texture just right.
- Use a scoop: A cookie scoop makes portioning the nuggets faster and keeps them all the same size.
- Keep hands clean(ish): Use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to avoid turning your fingers into a nugget.
Storage instructions:
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Let nuggets cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a ziplock or safe bag.
- Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
- Avoid microwaving: It’ll make them soft and sad. The air fryer or oven is your friend here.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 1014mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 432IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 3mg