Who doesn’t love crispy chicken nuggets? This homemade recipe for air fryer chicken nuggets will satisfy your cravings for this classic comfort food. With a golden breadcrumb coating and juicy chicken inside, these nuggets are sure to become a family favourite. Plus, they’re healthier than the store-bought version since they’re cooked in an air fryer!

What you need to make healthy chicken nuggets in an air fryer

To make these delicious chicken nuggets, you’ll need:

For the chicken mix:

• 500g chicken mince
• 1 egg
• salt, pepper, garlic powder

Coating stations:

• flour mixed with turmeric for a nice golden colour
• 2 eggs, whisked, mixed with salt, pepper, sweet paprika
• breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, turmeric garlic powder

How to make breadcrumbs at home

If you don’t have store-bought breadcrumbs, you can easily make your own at home. Simply take a few slices of bread (white or wholemeal), tear them into pieces, and blitz them in a food processor until you have fine breadcrumbs. You can also add herbs, spices, or grated cheese for extra flavour. Stale bread works best for this recipe. In fact, it’s a great way to use up dried up leftovers of bread!

For my chicken nuggets, I used a few slices of wholegrain sourdough bread. I toasted them lightly in the toaster to remove some of the moisture, them broke them into smaller pieces and blitzed them in a blender with salt, pepper, turmeric and garlic powder.

How to make healthy chicken nuggets

Crack the egg into the chicken mince and add salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix until combined well.

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour mixed with turmeric, one with beaten eggs and seasoning, and one with spiced breadcrumbs.

Take a small amount of chicken mix and shape it like a nugget. Dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat it evenly in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat until you’ve run out of chicken.

Place the breaded chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other.

Cook the nuggets in the air fryer in 180°C (or 360°F) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.

Once cooked, serve your delicious air fryer chicken nuggets hot with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

How to make these healthy chicken nuggets in a traditional oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make these chicken nuggets in a traditional oven. Preheat your oven to 200°C (or 400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Follow the same breading process as above, then arrange the breaded chicken nuggets on the prepared baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until they’re crispy and cooked through.

How to store air fryer chicken nuggets

If you end up with leftover chicken nuggets or meal prep a larger batch, you can store the nuggets in the fridge for a few days. You can enjoy them cold or in a sandwich. If you’re eating leftover chicken nuggets at home, I recommend reheating them in the air fryer. Pop them in for a few minutes to restore crispiness.

Bon Appetit!

With this easy recipe for air fryer chicken nuggets, you can enjoy a healthier version of a beloved classic. Whether you’re serving them as a tasty snack, a quick lunch, or a kid-friendly dinner, these crunchy nuggets are sure to be a hit with everyone. Give them a try and elevate your homemade nugget game today!

Also see:

• Food
• Savoury