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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets are the newest, greatest way to make this easy snack. No longer do we use our microwave, and now we never have soggy, dry, nuggets. These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are always crispy and perfectly cooked.
Why I Love This Recipe
- fast. I can air fry chicken nuggets faster than I can make them in a conventional oven.
- crisp. No more soggy nuggets from the microwave. Air frying chicken nuggets is the way to go.
- easy. Just chicken nuggets in air fryer basket in a single layer and cook. It’s that easy!
If you like using the air fryer to heat frozen foods, you might also enjoy these air fryer frozen chicken thighs, air fryer frozen pork chops, or frozen burritos in air fryer.
Table of Contents
Here are a few of our FAVORITE recommendations.
Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer – Digital Meat Thermometer – Air Fryer All Day
Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
If you’re like our family, we always have frozen nuggets on hand. My kids would eat me out of house and home if I didn’t keep some quick and easy snacks on hand.
Placing these chicken nuggets in the Air Fryer is the easiest and best way to make chicken nuggets.
The frozen chicken nuggets should be perfect and fully cooked in about 10-12 minutes.
You can find all of the details and full instructions are written below or skip to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe.
Looking for more? Check out this article where we share our favorite top 50 air fryer chicken recipes.
Because there are so many different sizes and brands of nuggets, consider doing a test batch. Once you’ve done a test batch, you’ll know the perfect amount of time to use for your favorite brand and size nuggets.
Don’t overload the basket with nuggets or they will take longer to cook and get crispy. Make sure you leave a little room between the nuggets and keep them in a single layer.
Ingredients
- frozen chicken nuggets – choose your favorite brand from your grocer’s freezer section
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Place the frozen chicken nuggets in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer, spreading the nuggets to where they are not touching.
Step 3
Air Fry at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, Flip the chicken nuggets over and continue to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes or until the nuggets are fully cooked and slightly crispy on the outside.
Step 4
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
If you want to skip the frozen foods for a healthier option, here is a recipe to make easy homemade chicken nuggets.
How do I make Homemade Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer?
- Take a boneless skinless chicken breast and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Take the chicken pieces and dip them in a mixture of flour, panko breadcrumbs, and black pepper.
- Spray a light coat of olive oil on the chicken nuggets and place them into a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry chicken nuggets at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, 200 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the air fryer nuggets when they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Serve with your favorite sauce and sides like tater tots and french fries.
TIPS
Air fryer. Every air fryer cooks a little differently. We use the Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time if you use a different brand.
Don’t overcrowd. Keep frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer with room for air circulation.
Easy cleanup. Use parchment paper or a silicone liner for the basket to make cleanup a breeze.
Crispy. Want extra crispy chicken nuggets? Add an additional minute or two of cooking time.
What sauce to serve with Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets?
There are a ton of sauce options when it comes to dipping. Here is a list of some of our favorites.
- Ketchup
- Bbq sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard sauce
- Homemade Chick Fil A sauce
Reheating and Storage
- Reheating. To reheat, place the nuggets inside the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
- Storage. To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
FAQs
The nuggets should be golden brown and have an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) reading from a digital meat thermometer.
Absolutely! Season or marinate as you prefer. Just make sure any marinade is not dripping excessively to prevent smoking or burning.
Yes! Add seasonings like white pepper, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to add a little spice.
You can lightly coat the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or use parchment paper designed for air fryers.
Air-fried chicken nuggets typically have less fat than their deep-fried counterparts because they use significantly less oil.
Change the way you make frozen chicken nuggets! We love using the Air Fryer for most of our frozen appetizers and snacks. It’s much faster than the oven and definitely more appetizing than when cooked in the microwave.
More Frozen Air Fryer Recipes:
Dinner
Air Fryer Frozen Burger
Frozen Foods
Frozen Egg Rolls in Air Fryer
Appetizers
Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 18 chicken nuggets
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the frozen chicken nuggets in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer, spreading the nuggets to where they are not touching.
- Air Fry at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, Flip the chicken nuggets over and continue to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes or until the nuggets are fully cooked and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- ketchup
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard sauce
- Homemade Chick Fil A sauce
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
