The Best Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Your Homemade McDonald’s Copycat Recipe
If you adore the classic taste of McDonald’s chicken nuggets but are looking for a healthier alternative that skips the deep fryer, then you’ve come to the right place! My homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are an absolute game-changer. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with them and find yourself making these delicious, crispy nuggets constantly. They offer all the beloved flavor and texture of your fast-food favorites, but with the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what ingredients go into them. Get ready to transform your family’s mealtime with this incredibly easy and satisfying recipe!
Why These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Are a Must-Try
This recipe isn’t just another way to cook chicken; it’s a brilliant adaptation of our beloved original chicken nugget recipe, perfectly optimized for the air fryer. The magic of the air fryer lies in its ability to achieve incredible crispiness using significantly less oil than traditional deep frying. This means you can enjoy that satisfying crunch and tender interior without the added grease and calories, making it a much healthier option for you and your family.
For years, our homemade chicken nuggets have been a blog favorite, consistently praised for their uncanny resemblance to the iconic McDonald’s nuggets. By transitioning this beloved recipe to the air fryer, we’ve elevated it further, offering an even more convenient and guilt-free way to indulge. The hot, circulating air ensures each nugget is cooked to golden perfection, creating a deliciously crispy exterior that truly makes these a remarkable McDonald’s copycat. Whether you’re a health-conscious eater or simply looking for an easy weeknight meal, these air fryer chicken nuggets deliver on flavor, texture, and simplicity.
Key Ingredients for Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Crafting these delectable air fryer chicken nuggets requires a straightforward list of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The quality of your ingredients, especially the chicken, will play a significant role in the final texture and flavor of your nuggets. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this fantastic McDonald’s copycat:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The foundation of our nuggets. Opt for chicken breasts that have no added water to ensure the best consistency for your chicken paste. This helps achieve that signature texture.
- Spices (Salt, Parsley Flakes, Oregano, Onion Powder, Pepper): This carefully balanced blend of seasonings is crucial for replicating that distinct fast-food nugget flavor. Each spice contributes to the overall savory profile, making these homemade nuggets truly irresistible.
- Large Eggs: Whisked eggs create the essential liquid layer for our breading, helping the flour adhere perfectly to the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the crispy coating. A double dredge in flour (before and after egg) contributes to a thicker, crunchier crust.
- Cooking Spray: A light mist of cooking spray on the air fryer basket prevents sticking and helps promote even browning and crispiness without excessive oil.
- Canola Oil (for basting): A touch of canola oil brushed onto the nuggets midway through cooking helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color and enhances the crispy texture.
Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step towards enjoying a batch of fresh, homemade air fryer chicken nuggets that will rival any drive-thru! Remember to check the printable recipe card at the end of this post for exact measurements and a convenient list.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you perfectly visualize how to create this delicious recipe. For a quick reference, you can Jump to Recipe to find the printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, located at the bottom of this page.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 360F (approximately 182°C). This crucial step ensures that your nuggets start cooking immediately upon entering the basket, leading to a consistently crispy exterior.
- Prepare the Chicken Paste: Cut your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into manageable cubes. Transfer these cubes into a food processor. Process the chicken until it forms a very fine, smooth paste. This texture is key to mimicking the tender, uniform consistency of classic fast-food nuggets. Once processed, transfer the chicken paste to a mixing bowl.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the salt, parsley flakes, oregano, onion powder, and pepper. Sprinkle this aromatic spice blend evenly over the processed chicken in the mixing bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to combine the mixture thoroughly, ensuring the spices are well distributed throughout the chicken paste for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Prepare the Breading Station: Whisk the three large eggs together in one small bowl. In a separate plate or shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. This sets up your classic breading station.
- Shape the Nuggets: Using a cookie scoop (about 1.5-2 tablespoons is ideal), measure out portions of the seasoned chicken paste. Roll each portion into a small ball. This recipe yields approximately 42 individual nuggets, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later.
- Bread the Nuggets: Take each chicken ball and first roll it thoroughly in the seasoned flour. Ensure it’s completely coated. Next, dip the flour-coated ball into the whisked egg mixture, allowing any excess egg to drip off. Finally, return the egg-coated ball to the flour and coat it again. This double-dredging technique creates a robust and extra-crispy crust. After the final flour coating, gently use your fingers to press the ball down and flatten it slightly into the familiar nugget shape. Lightly shake off any excess flour.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Carefully place the breaded chicken nuggets into the basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each nugget, promoting even cooking and maximum crispiness. You’ll likely need to cook in multiple batches depending on your air fryer size.
- First Cook Cycle: Cook the nuggets in the preheated air fryer at 360F for 7 minutes.
- Baste and Continue Cooking: After the first 7 minutes, open the air fryer basket. Using a silicone brush, lightly brush both sides of each nugget with canola oil. This step is essential for that beautiful golden-brown color and an extra crispy texture. Close the air fryer and cook for an additional 7 minutes. Avoid opening the air fryer again during this final cooking phase to maintain consistent temperature.
- Cool and Serve: Once done, carefully remove the hot nuggets from the air fryer basket using tongs. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps the exterior crisp up even more and makes them safer to handle. Serve these incredible homemade chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces!
Tips for Achieving Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
While the recipe is straightforward, a few key tips can elevate your homemade chicken nuggets from good to absolutely fantastic:
- Choose “No Water Added” Chicken: As noted in the recipe card, some chicken brands inject water, which can make your chicken paste stickier and harder to work with. Opting for chicken breasts labeled “no water added” will ensure a smoother paste and a better overall nugget texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is perhaps the most important rule for air frying anything! Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation, leading to unevenly cooked and less crispy nuggets. Cook in batches, leaving a little space between each nugget.
- Oil for Golden Crispiness: Don’t skip the step of brushing with canola oil midway through. This light coating is what helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color and irresistible crunch, mimicking deep-fried results without the excess oil.
- Internal Temperature Check: For food safety, ensure your chicken nuggets reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend here.
- Experiment with Seasonings: While our spice blend offers that classic McDonald’s flavor, feel free to customize it! A pinch of paprika for color, garlic powder for extra zest, or a tiny dash of cayenne for a subtle kick can add new dimensions.
- Even Nugget Size: Using a cookie scoop helps create uniform nuggets, which ensures they all cook at roughly the same rate. This prevents some from overcooking while others are still raw.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Nuggets
These air fryer chicken nuggets are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of sides and sauces. They’re perfect for a quick lunch, a fun dinner, or even as an appetizer for gatherings.
- Classic Dipping Sauces: Ketchup, mustard (honey mustard is a favorite!), BBQ sauce, sweet and sour sauce, ranch, or a creamy sriracha mayo are all fantastic choices. Don’t be afraid to mix and match!
- Perfect Pairings:
- Fries & Tater Tots: Recreate the ultimate fast-food experience by serving with homemade air fryer fries or crispy tater tots.
- Vegetable Sides: Balance your meal with a fresh side salad, roasted broccoli, or steamed green beans.
- Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad adds a sweet and light contrast.
- Fun Meal Ideas: Turn them into mini chicken nugget sliders on Hawaiian rolls, or chop them up and add them to a green salad for a quick protein boost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Absolutely! You can certainly bake these chicken nuggets in a conventional oven. Use the same method for preparing and breading the nuggets. For baking, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray it generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This method usually allows you to cook a larger batch at once compared to an air fryer. Preheat your oven to a slightly higher temperature, typically around 400°F (200°C). Bake the nuggets for 10 minutes, then remove the tray and brush all sides of the nuggets lightly with canola oil. Return them to the oven and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Keep in mind that ovens can vary, and baking may take a bit longer than air frying due to the larger cooking space and heat dissipation when opening the door.
Yes, this recipe yields a generous amount of chicken nuggets (around 42 pieces), which is perfect for meal prepping or feeding a large family. However, if you’re cooking for fewer people or want a smaller batch, you can easily cut all the ingredient quantities in half. Simply halve the chicken, spices, eggs, and flour. The cooking times for each batch in the air fryer will remain the same.
Yes, these homemade chicken nuggets are fantastic for freezing, either raw or cooked!
To freeze raw nuggets: After shaping and breading the raw nuggets, arrange them in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Ensure they are not touching each other to prevent them from freezing together. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of hours, or until the nuggets are solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe zipper bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. You can cook them directly from frozen in the air fryer, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time (usually 3-5 minutes more per side).
To freeze cooked nuggets: Allow the cooked nuggets to cool completely. Arrange them on a baking sheet and flash freeze them as described above. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
While this recipe specifically calls for processing chicken breasts to achieve that signature firm yet tender nugget texture, you could experiment with ground chicken. However, using ground chicken may result in a softer, less firm nugget, more akin to a mini meatball. If you do use ground chicken, ensure it’s lean, and you might need to adjust the shaping process slightly as it will be less cohesive than a chicken paste from breasts.
A food processor is highly recommended for achieving the fine, uniform paste that gives these nuggets their characteristic texture. If you don’t have one, you can finely mince the chicken breasts by hand with a very sharp knife. Alternatively, you could use very finely ground chicken, but be aware the texture might be slightly different as discussed above.
Imagine enjoying crispy, flavorful air fryer chicken nuggets that taste incredibly similar to McDonald’s, but without any of the deep-fried guilt! With this recipe, you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome and delicious meal. Plus, your kids will be thrilled with these homemade delights – they often can’t even tell the difference! It’s the perfect solution for a healthy, quick, and universally loved family meal that you can feel good about serving. Get ready to ditch the drive-thru and embrace homemade goodness!
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you’re loving the convenience and health benefits of your air fryer, you’ll be excited to explore more fantastic recipes! The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can handle everything from crispy appetizers to main courses and even desserts. Expand your air fryer repertoire with these other tried-and-true favorites:
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites: Soft, chewy, and perfectly salty – great for snacking!
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Another kid-friendly classic, made healthy and crispy.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Achieve restaurant-quality crispy wings right at home.
- Air Fryer French Toast Bites: A fun and easy breakfast or brunch treat.
- Air Fryer Apple Fries: A healthy and sweet snack, perfect with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Air Fryer Bagels: Yes, you can even make delicious, chewy bagels in your air fryer!
These recipes are designed to be simple, delicious, and make the most out of your air fryer, proving that healthy eating can also be incredibly flavorful and fun!
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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 18 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts 3-4 breasts (preferably no water added, please see notes)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon parsley flakes
- ¾ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder heaping
- ¼ teaspoon pepper heaping
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- Cooking spray
- Canola oil for basting
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Pastry brush
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Tongs
Before You Begin
- It’s important to note that some brands of chicken are injected with water. This will affect the consistency of the chicken paste, making it stickier. I use “Smart Chicken” which states on the package “no water added”. You can use whatever you like, simply know that you may find the paste to be sticky if your chicken has been injected.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you will need to cook the nuggets in batches. You want to make sure the air circulates around all sides, so fill the basket, but keep the chicken nuggets from touching.
- All air fryers are different. You may want to experiment with just a couple nuggets at a time at first to find the right temperature. We feel 360 is safe for most, but you can try between 350 and 365.
Instructions
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Preheat air fryer to 360F.
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Cut chicken breasts into cubes, then place in a food processor. Process chicken into a fine paste. Transfer processed chicken to a bowl.
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Combine salt, parsley, oregano, onion powder, and pepper, and sprinkle over chicken. Combine well.
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Whisk eggs together in a small bowl.
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Combine the flour and salt and put it on a plate.
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Measure chicken paste out with a cookie scoop and roll into 42 balls.
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Roll ball in flour, then coat with egg, and then coat in flour again. Use your fingers to press the ball down to make a nugget. gently shake off excess flour.
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In the air fryer, spray the basket with cooking spray.
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Place enough nuggets in air fryer basket so they are not touching.
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Cook at 360F for 7 minutes, then open the air fryer and using a silicone brush, brush lightly with canola oil on both sides of the nuggets.
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Cook for another 7 minutes. Do not open air fryer again until done.
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Remove with tongs and allow to cool before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.