Best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Juicy chicken pieces in ultra-crisp panko crust—air-fried to golden perfection. 20-minute fast-food upgrade.
Ingredients
- For the Nuggets:
- 1½ lbs 680 g chicken breast, 1½-inch pieces
- 1 cup 120 g flour
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cups 90 g panko
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry; set up flour → egg → seasoned panko stations.
- Coat thoroughly; press panko firmly.
- Preheat air fryer 400 °F 3 min.
- Arrange single layer; lightly spray both sides.
- Air-fry 8–10 min, flip + re-spray halfway.
- Rest 2 min on rack.
- Serve hot with dipping sauces.
Notes
- Dry chicken + oil spray = maximum crunch.
- Single layer = no steaming; cook in batches.
- Freeze raw or cooked up to 3 months.
- Thighs = juicier; same timing.
- GF: Use GF panko + flour.
- Reheat at 400°F for 4–5 min for perfect crisp.