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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Freezer-Friendly)

Ditch the deep-fryer and whip up poultry perfection with the best recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, plus tips on how to freeze and store them for quick-fix meals.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
  • Add the flour and salt to a sealable plastic bag. Whisk together the eggs in a shallow pan. Add the breadcrumbs to a second shallow pan. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add the chicken nuggets to the bag with the flour. Seal the bag shut then shake it until the nuggets are well-coated. Shake off the excess flour from each nugget then dip it in the eggs and then into the breadcrumbs, coating it on all sides. Place the coated chicken nugget on the baking sheet and repeat the breading process with the remaining nuggets.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Coat the basket with cooking spray.
  • Arrange a portion of the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket so that they aren't touching. Coat the chicken nuggets with cooking spray, then air-fry them until crispy and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
  • Remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer then repeat the air-frying process with the remaining nuggets.

To freeze the chicken nuggets:

  • After breading the nuggets, arrange them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cover them securely with plastic wrap. Freeze the nuggets until frozen solid, a minimum of 3 hours. Transfer the frozen nuggets to a sealable plastic bag for easy access.

To air-fry frozen chicken nuggets:

  • Preheat the air-fryer to 360°F. Coat the basket with cooking spray. Arrange a portion of the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket so that they aren't touching. Coat the chicken nuggets with cooking spray, then air-fry them until crispy and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.