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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Homemade Easy Recipe for Perfect Snacks

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These crispy air fryer chicken nuggets are quick, easy, and perfect for a healthy, delicious snack or meal. They feature a crunchy exterior and juicy interior, made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (90 g)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup milk (60 ml), whole milk or any dairy/plant-based milk
  • Cooking spray or a light drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cut 1 pound (450 g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized nuggets, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) pieces. Keep them uniform in size for even cooking and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (90 g) panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently until well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and ¼ cup (60 ml) milk until smooth.
  4. Dip each chicken piece first into the egg wash, making sure it’s fully coated, then transfer it to the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to help the crumbs stick well. For extra crispiness, double dip by repeating the egg wash and breadcrumb steps once more. Lay the coated nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Spray lightly with cooking spray or drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Nuggets should be golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the nuggets rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to lock in the juices. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to keep nuggets crispy. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, double coat the nuggets. Lightly spray oil before and halfway through cooking. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour and panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan and use plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, air fryer, crispy chicken, homemade snacks, easy recipe, quick chicken nuggets, kid-friendly, healthy snacks

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