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Healthy and Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor these air fryer chicken nuggets are a healthier spin on a classic favorite. Perfect for a quick meal or snack, they combine convenience, taste, and nutrition all in one delicious bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil spray
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs.
  4. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
  5. Dip chicken into beaten eggs, coating completely.
  6. Press coated chicken into breadcrumb mixture.
  7. Place nuggets in a single layer in air fryer basket without touching.
  8. Spray lightly with olive oil.
  9. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temp is 165°F (74°C).

Notes

For extra crispy nuggets, don’t overcrowd the basket and avoid overspraying with oil. Letting the nuggets rest before air frying helps the coating stick better. To adjust for dietary needs, swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs or nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, chicken nuggets, healthy, quick, snack