These Air-Fried Chicken Nuggets are golden, delicious, and full of fantastic flavor. Your family will love this version of homemade nuggets.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
The Air Fryer and chicken make the perfect combination, especially for chicken nuggets. I like to make homemade chicken nuggets as they are healthier and almost as easy as the premade kinds.
My family absolutely enjoys Chick-fil-A nuggets. When we can’t go to the restaurant, we make our own delicious nuggets at home.
Now I’m not going to say that these taste exactly like Chic-fil-A nuggets but they come pretty darn close. They fry those nuggets in peanut oil. These nuggets are air-fried (saving on fat and calories) and I use whatever oil I have on hand to spray the nuggets. According to my 10-year-old, both nuggets are “yummo.”
Make sure to try my Air Fryer Fried Chicken and my Air Fryer Chicken Wings too.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
First, you’ll need to cut your chicken into large chunks, about 2 inches in size. This will give you nice, juicy chicken.
Then, you’ll soak those beautiful chicken pieces in pickle juice for 20-30 minutes.
After you finish soaking your chicken pieces in the pickle juice, you will prepare your coating station for your nuggets. Grab two shallow bowls. Place egg and milk in one bowl and whisk to combine.
Put flour, cornstarch, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in another bowl. Mix with a whisk.
Time to Air Fry…
Prepare your air fryer basket by lightly spraying the bottom with oil from a spray bottle. Avoid using aerosol spray oils in air fryers, as they can damage the bottom over time. I discuss this in my air fryer tips post. I use a spray bottle and place my oils in it.
Grab a piece of chicken with metal tongs. Dip it in the egg mixture, then in the flour mixture. Shake off extra flour and put it in the air fryer basket.
Repeat this step with all your chicken pieces until the bottom of your air fryer is full. Do not overlap the pieces, and make sure they are not touching. You’ll need them spaced apart so that air can flow around them.
Close the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Open and spray any flour spots that appear on your chicken, then flip the pieces. If you see any flour spots on the chicken after flipping, spray that, too. Cook for 6 more minutes.
After finishing cooking, check if the chicken is cooked to your liking and has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If so, you can take it out and eat it. If you like them a little darker, close the basket, increase the heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 2 minutes more.
And that’s it, golden delicious air fryer chicken nuggets. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy 🙂
What Dipping Sauces Should I use for these Nuggets?
There are endless choices for dipping sauces. You could use store-bought sauces or try your hand at some homemade favorites, like my homemade bbq sauce or homemade ranch. You could dip these copycat nuggets in some copycat Chic Fil A sauce.
How to make Frozen Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Frozen nuggets are handy and great in the air fryer. To cook store-bought nuggets in the air fryer, simply place them inside and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Remember to flip them halfway through the cooking process.
To make these homemade nuggets from frozen, thoroughly cook them and then freeze them. When ready, you can cook them from frozen.
Notes on Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets:
- The longer your chicken soaks in pickle juice, the stronger the pickle flavor will be. I usually opt for 20 minutes.
- I use the pickle juice that is in a jar of dill pickles. My hubby and my oldest love pickles so we always have a jar around.
- You can cook these nuggets in any oil with a high smoke point. We’ve used olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil. The only oil I do not recommend is extra virgin olive oil, as it does not have a high smoke point.
- These chicken nuggets are best served fresh. If you need to reheat, reheat in the Air Fryer or oven.
Looking for a recipe to serve these with? Try these copycat air fryer potato wedges or these Air Fryer French Fries.
Looking for more air fryer chicken recipes? Or try these out:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please Subscribe to our Youtube channel for the full recipe video. Click the little bell icon to be notified everytime we upload a recipe.
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make these air fryer chicken nuggets from start to finish.
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 6 oz chicken breast cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup pickle juice
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons corn starch
- 2 Tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- oil for spraying
Instructions
- Place chicken pieces and pickle juice in a plastic bag. Close and place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together egg and milk.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set Aside.
- Remove chicken pieces from the refrigerator. Grease the Air Fryer basket with a little oil.Coat chicken pieces in egg mixture, then coat it in flour mixture, then shake off any excess flour and place it in the basket. Repeat until the bottom of the air fryer basket is full. Make sure none of the pieces are overlapping, nor should they be touching.
- Close the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray any flour spots when flipping.
- After 12 minutes is up, increase the heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- You can use this technique and batter to make chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, etc.
- As always, different air fryers cook differently. Use a quick-read thermometer to ensure your food is thoroughly cooked.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on August 6, 2019. It has been updated with new information.
Kris H
Monday 23rd of October 2023
Was the recipe changed? I made it once a few months back and it was amazing and this time it was just ok. Followed instructions both times but something seemed different this time.
Tanya
Tuesday 24th of October 2023
Hi Kris H., Thanks for the feedback. This recipe has not been changed. My only guess is that either the ingredients used were different this time or the air fryer isn't functioning like it used too. Was it the apperance that was different or the actual flavor?
Beverly Mount
Thursday 28th of September 2023
Made it according to instructions, only i doubled the spices. It looked great and had 0 taste. Not sure why there are so many rave reviews.
Tanya
Friday 29th of September 2023
Hey Beverly, if you doubled the spices and it was bland, then your spices may likely be the issue.
pam
Tuesday 8th of August 2023
the chix recipe is good. pickle brine excellent idea, such a good flavor, I did brine for 1 hour. the picture of final dish is not the same as yours, mine is unappealing, yours is gorgeous. what's your secret?
Tanya
Wednesday 9th of August 2023
Hi Pam, it may be the actual brand of air fryer. I used a Cosori 5.3 qt. I'm also very careful when I flip them, to ensure the breading does not come off. I also only spray during halfway when I flip. I don't spray before cooking.
Tabitha
Sunday 22nd of January 2023
My whole family loved this recipe. We all thought they were delicious!
Tanya
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
Thanks Tabitha! So happy you all liked the recipe :)
Kim F
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
Just finished the first batch of these nuggets and we ate them all and are (not so patiently lol) waiting for the 2nd batch. Not as pretty as the picture but delicious! I also made a copy cat dipping sauce which is yummy. Will try using the same recipe on boneless chicken filets to make a nice sandwich. Glad I tried this recipe, thank you!