How to make chicken nuggets in air fryer
If you’re a fan of crispy, delicious chicken nuggets but want a healthier alternative to deep frying, then making them in an air fryer is the perfect solution. With an air fryer, you can enjoy the same great taste and texture of traditional chicken nuggets, but with significantly less oil and calories. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making the perfect chicken nuggets in an air fryer that both kids and adults will love.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by prepping the chicken. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for this recipe. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring that they are all relatively the same size. This will help ensure even cooking. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which will result in crispier nuggets.
Step 2: Create the Breading Station
In a shallow dish or plate, combine breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate shallow dish or bowl, beat an egg. The egg will act as a binder for the breading, helping it stick to the chicken. Line up the chicken pieces, the dish with the beaten egg, and the dish with the breadcrumb mixture in that order, creating an assembly line for breading the chicken.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off before transferring the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture. Press the chicken into the breadcrumbs, flipping it over to coat both sides evenly. Gently pat the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to help them adhere.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken Nuggets
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Arrange the breaded chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not touching each other. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray or brush them with a little oil to help them achieve a golden crisp exterior. Cook the nuggets for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
Now that you know how easy it is to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you’ll never want to go back to the deep-fried version again. Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup or honey mustard. They make a perfect appetizer, snack, or even a quick and easy dinner.
Preparation and Ingredients
Before you start making chicken nuggets in an air fryer, ensure that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients. Here is what you will need:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Next, follow these simple steps:
Gather the necessary ingredients for making chicken nuggets in an air fryer:
Before you start making delicious chicken nuggets in an air fryer, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Chicken breast:
Take boneless skinless chicken breast and cut it into small pieces. This will serve as the base for your chicken nuggets.
2. Flour mixture:
In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any additional seasoning to give the nuggets a flavorful kick.
3. Egg mixture:
Prepare another bowl where you’ll beat eggs and add a little milk. This will act as the binding agent for the flour mixture.
4. Cooking spray:
Ensure you have a non-stick cooking spray handy to prevent the chicken nuggets from sticking to the basket of the air fryer.
5. Dipping sauces:
If you enjoy dipping your chicken nuggets, don’t forget to gather your favorite dips, such as ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
Once you’ve gathered all these ingredients, you’ll be ready to start making crispy and delicious chicken nuggets in your air fryer!
Cutting and Marinating
Before you can start making chicken nuggets in the air fryer, you need to cut and marinate the chicken to enhance its flavor. Follow these steps to prepare the chicken:
Step 1: Cutting the chicken
Begin by cutting boneless chicken breasts into small, bite-sized pieces. You can use a sharp knife to accomplish this task. It’s important to ensure that the pieces are evenly cut to ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Marinating the chicken
Next, prepare a marinade for the chicken nuggets. You can use a pre-made marinade or create your own. Consider using a mixture of buttermilk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Place the chicken pieces in a container or plastic bag and pour the marinade over them, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover the container or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight if possible. Marinating the chicken will help tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate them with spices
To make homemade chicken nuggets in an air fryer, start by selecting boneless and skinless chicken breast or chicken tenders. Rinse the chicken under cool water and pat it dry with paper towels.
Next, lay the chicken on a clean cutting board and using a sharp knife, carefully slice it into bite-sized pieces. Make sure the pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
In a bowl, prepare the marinade. You can use a combination of spices like salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder for a flavorful coating. Add the spices to the bowl and mix them together.
Place the chicken pieces into the bowl with the spices and toss them well, ensuring all the chicken is coated evenly. You can also add a tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter to help the spices adhere to the chicken.
Once the chicken is marinated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
After marinating, preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C).
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and give it a final toss in the marinade to make sure all the pieces are well coated. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook the chicken in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Place the air fryer basket in the machine and cook the chicken at the recommended temperature for about 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden brown and crispy.
Once the chicken nuggets are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce or serve them on a bed of salad for a healthier option.
Breading the Chicken Nuggets
To start making chicken nuggets, you will need to prepare the bread crumbs mixture to coat the chicken pieces. This will create a crispy and flavorful outer layer. Here are the steps to breading the chicken nuggets:
- Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish and season them with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. You can use Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, or any other seasoning you prefer.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until well combined. The eggs will act as a binder to help the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken pieces.
- Take one chicken piece at a time and dip it into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated.
- Transfer the chicken piece to the dish with bread crumbs and press gently to coat it evenly on all sides. The bread crumbs should stick to the egg-coated chicken piece.
- Place the breaded chicken nugget on a plate or baking sheet, and repeat the process with the remaining chicken pieces.
Make sure that the chicken pieces are fully covered with a layer of bread crumbs for a nicely breaded nugget. Once all the chicken pieces have been breaded, they are ready to be air fried.
Prepare the breading mixture for coating the chicken pieces
Coating the chicken pieces with a delicious and crispy breading mixture is essential for making delicious chicken nuggets. The breading gives the nuggets a crunchy texture while keeping the chicken moist and flavorful. Follow these steps to prepare the perfect breading mixture:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Taste a pinch of the mixture to adjust the seasonings according to your preference. You can add more salt, pepper, or any other desired seasoning to enhance the flavor.
- Place the breading mixture in a shallow dish, such as a plate or a wide container, to make it easier to coat the chicken pieces.
- Using tongs or your clean hands, take one chicken piece at a time and coat it with the breading mixture, pressing down gently to ensure the coating adheres well.
- Shake off any excess breading and transfer the coated chicken piece to a separate plate. Repeat this process until all the chicken pieces are coated.
The breading mixture is now ready to be air-fried, creating perfectly crispy and flavorful chicken nuggets. Get ready to enjoy this homemade alternative to store-bought nuggets that are not only delicious but also healthier!
Air Frying Process
Frying chicken nuggets in an air fryer is a healthy alternative to traditional deep-frying. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious chicken nuggets using an air fryer.
Ingredients:
To make chicken nuggets, you will need the following ingredients:
| 1 pound of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces |
| 1 cup of breadcrumbs |
| 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese |
| 1 teaspoon of paprika |
| 1 teaspoon of garlic powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon of salt |
| 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper |
| 2 beaten eggs |
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
- Cook the chicken nuggets in the air fryer for 10 minutes.
- Flip the nuggets halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Serve the delicious air-fried chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.
Air frying is a quick and efficient way to make crispy chicken nuggets without adding too much oil. It’s a healthier option that still delivers the same crunchy texture and delicious taste. Enjoy!
Harrison Clayton
Meet Harrison Clayton, a distinguished author and home remodeling enthusiast whose expertise in the realm of renovation is second to none. With a passion for transforming houses into inviting homes, Harrison's writing at https://thehuts-eastbourne.co.uk/ brings a breath of fresh inspiration to the world of home improvement. Whether you're looking to revamp a small corner of your abode or embark on a complete home transformation, Harrison's articles provide the essential expertise and creative flair to turn your visions into reality. So, dive into the captivating world of home remodeling with Harrison Clayton and unlock the full potential of your living space with every word he writes.
