Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

A close up of a single air fryer chicken nugget on a sheet pan.

4.50 from 4 votes

These Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are crispy and crunchy, with a gorgeous golden panko breadcrumb coating, and a center of irresistibly tender, juicy white meat chicken!

Prep Time20

Cook Time24

Total Time44

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Servings:

Calories: 332kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt, separated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
2 large eggs
2 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
nonstick cooking spray (Avocado, canola, or vegetable oil preferably in an aerosol can), about 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Have ready three shallow bowls or trays for a dredging station. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 10-15 minutes.
Place a chicken breast in the ziplock bag and remove as much air from the bag as possible. Seal it and beginning at the thick portion of the chicken breast, firmly begin pounding it out using the flat-end of the mallet or a rolling pin until it is about a ¼″ in thickness.
Cut each breast into strips about 2″ wide, cutting against the grain. Then, cut the strips into pieces 1 ½ – 2″ in diameter. Set the chicken aside.
In the first tray, whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika. In the second tray, whisk together the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. In the third tray, mix together the panko breadcrumbs with a generous pinch of salt.
Fully coat each nugget in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess. Submerge in the egg mixture, allow excess to drip off, and then transfer to the tray of panko. Coat thoroughly with the panko, applying gentle pressure as needed to ensure the coating adheres. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
Once you have all of the nuggets coated, transfer them to a large, rimmed baking sheet and mist the tops and sides with the nonstick cooking spray. Flip the chicken, and mist the other side.
Add a single layer of nuggets to the basket of the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 8-11 minutes. Remove the nuggets, and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Video

Nutrition