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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frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer
Who doesn't love getting food on the table in a fraction of time! Along with my Air Fryer Frozen French Fries (Chips), Ninja Foodi Rice, and Ninja Air Fryer Hard-boiled Eggs, these air-fried frozen chicken nuggets are one of my favorite zero-effort recipes! You can serve them up as a snack for the kids, or enjoy them with some fries, sweet potatoes, or a side salad for a complete meal!
reasons to love
- 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!
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ingredients
Here is what you will need. This is a summary, scroll through to the bottom of the page for the recipe card with the full ingredient measurements.
- 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.
ninja air fryer frozen chicken nuggets
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).
To make Ninja air fryer frozen chicken nuggets, simply air fry at 400°F / 200°C for 10 to 12 mins, without preheating your air fryer. Checking mid-cooking and flip the nuggets. So basically, the process is the same, the only difference being that you do not need to preheat your air fryer.
serving suggestions and dipping sauces
I guess you will agree with me that these air fryer chicken nuggets will not be complete without some yummy dipping sauce. When it comes to the dipping sauce, simply feel free to use what you like. Some of our favorite ways to enjoy these nuggets include:-
- Homemade tomato ketchup (which kids love)!
- Barbecue sauce
- Some creamy garlic sauce
- Fry sauce
These air fryer frozen chicken nuggets also pair up well with some Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes or some crispy Jamaican Coleslaw!
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.
more air fryer frozen recipes to love!
- Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage Links (from Fresh or Frozen)
Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this air fryer frozen chicken nuggets recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below. Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!
📖 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.
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