Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 250
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 22g
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko or ordinary breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray (olive oil or non-stick)
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer:
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This will ensure a crispy exterior on your chicken nuggets.
- Prepare Breading Stations:
- Set up three shallow dishes. Place the all-purpose flour in the first dish. In the second dish, beat the eggs. In the third dish, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create your breadcrumb mixture.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Take a piece of chicken and dip it into the flour, making sure it’s coated evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- After that, dip the chicken into the beaten eggs and allow any excess to fall out.
- Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs to adhere.
- Air Fry the Nuggets:
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the breaded chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch.
- Cook the nuggets in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, remove the chicken nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two.
- Serve your air fryer chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
Nutrition Tips:
- Air frying provides a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses less oil, resulting in lower fat content.
- To further reduce calories and fat, consider using whole wheat breadcrumbs or a mixture of breadcrumbs and crushed whole grain cereal.
- Experiment with different seasonings in your breadcrumb mixture for unique flavor profiles.
Enjoy your homemade air fryer chicken nuggets that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without the excess oil and calories of deep-fried versions. These nuggets make for a delightful snack or a kid-friendly meal that the whole family can enjoy.
