Making air fryer frozen chicken nuggets is so easy! They turn out crispy, golden, juicy, and delicious each time. And the best thing is, you get to have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, without having to thaw them!
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reasons to love this recipe
- this is a quick and easy recipe - you do not need to thaw the frozen nuggets and do not need to add any oil.
- better than take out - these beat what you would take out from the restaurants. You get crispy, golden, and delicious chicken nuggets every time!
- family-friendly - this is a family-friendly recipe that is bound to be enjoyed by almost everyone!
ingredients
- Frozen chicken nuggets - feel free to choose from your favorite brand of frozen nuggets. The Applegate Naturals Chicken Nuggets, Tyson (these are natural, meaning minimally processed with no artificial ingredients), and Perdue (no preservatives and no fillers) are a few examples of brands to choose from. (This is not a sponsored post). Here is an interesting guide on the best types of frozen chicken nuggets.
cooking frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer
The steps are pretty simple, here is how to go about it:-
- Depending on the model you are using, preheat your air fryer as per the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.
- Next, place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket or rack. Set the temperature to 400°F / 200°C and air fry for 10 to 12 mins, checking halfway through and flipping the nuggets or shaking your air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
equipment
When it comes to equipment, any type of air fryer will do for this recipe. I made these nuggets using my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer and Multicooker (affiliate link) you can still make it using other air fryers such as the Cosori or Nuwave air fryer (affiliate links).
serving suggestions and dipping sauces
Here are a few serving suggestions:-
- Homemade Tomato Ketchup (which kids love) or some barbecue sauce!
- Spicy Aioli Sauce
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Jamaican Coleslaw
- Air fryer French Fries
- Garlic Sauce
- Fry sauce
useful tips
- You do not need to preheat your air fryer if using the Ninja Foodi, Cosori or Gourmia air fryers. For other brands, read the manufacturer's instructions to see whether or not to preheat.
- Do not overcrowd the basket, rather, place the chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the basket.
- Check mid-cooking and flip the nuggets or shake your air fryer basket so they cook evenly.
- Increase the cooking time by a few more minutes if the nuggets are not crispy enough after the 10-12 minutes are over.
storing
- Do not allow the nuggets to sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- Have the nuggets cool completely before storing them in the fridge. Kept in a suitable airtight container, they will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To use, simply use your air fryer to reheat (see the FAQs section below).
frequently asked questions
Frozen chicken nuggets air fryer time will vary, depending on factors such as how big or small the chicken nuggets are, the brand and size of air fryer you are using, and the number of watts it has. This being said, cook frozen chicken nuggets at 400°F / 200°C and air fry for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, making sure to check on them in the middle of cooking and adjust (reduce or increase the time accordingly), depending on these factors.
1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer taking care not to overcrowd. Lightly spray them with cooking oil (this is optional, but helps improve their taste, so they taste as if they have been freshly air fried).
3. Air fry for 5- 7 minutes, making sure to turn halfway through. Once done, allow them to rest for a minute before serving.
You will know the chicken nuggets are safe to eat when they have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (73.8 degrees C), as per the USDA's food safety guidelines.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen chicken nuggets (about 450 grams)
Instructions
- Depending on the model you are using, preheat your air fryer as per the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.
- Next, place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket or rack. Set the temperature to 400°F / 200°C and air fry for 10 to 12 mins or until done, checking halfway through and flipping the nuggets, so they cook evenly. Serve these air fryer frozen chicken nuggets with some dipping sauce, a salad, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- You do not need to preheat your air fryer if using the Ninja Foodi, Cosori or Gourmia air fryers. For other brands, read the manufacturer's instructions to see whether or not to preheat.
- Do not overcrowd the basket, rather, place the chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the basket.
- Check mid-cooking and flip the nuggets or shake your air fryer basket so they cook evenly.
- Increase the cooking time by a few more minutes if the nuggets are not crispy enough after the 10-12 minutes are over.
- Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using tools that will use. It will therefore differ, depending on the product you use.
