Description
Crispy, golden air fryer chicken nuggets made with simple ingredients for a healthier, homemade alternative to deep-fried nuggets. Quick, easy, and kid-friendly!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Prepare the Breading Station
- In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
2. Coat the Chicken
- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the egg mixture, coating evenly.
- Roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to help it stick.
3. Air Fry the Nuggets
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch.
- Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
4. Serve and Enjoy
- Let the nuggets cool for a couple of minutes.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, BBQ, or ketchup.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
- Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne or a dash of hot sauce to the egg mixture.
- Different Coatings: Try crushed cornflakes or pretzels instead of panko.
- Buttermilk Marinade: Soak chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes for extra tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: main dish, snack
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Air fryer chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade nuggets, healthy chicken nuggets, easy air fryer recipes