Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Nuggets are a healthier and delicious alternative to deep-fried nuggets, featuring juicy chicken with a crunchy coating made in minutes.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken pieces and buttermilk. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
- In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then coat each piece in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg