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Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets - Crispy, Juicy, and Fast

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes for extra crunch)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or canola), or cooking spray
  • Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for the breadcrumb mixture
  • Optional dips: ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, or spicy mayo

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Dry chicken helps the coating stick and crisp up better.
  2. Set up your breading station. In one shallow bowl, add the flour. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with milk. In a third bowl, mix panko, plain breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and Parmesan if using.
  3. Coat the nuggets. Toss chicken in flour, shake off excess, dip in the egg mixture, then press into the breadcrumb mixture. Aim for an even coating without clumps.
  4. Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. A preheated basket gives better browning.
  5. Lightly oil the nuggets. Drizzle a tiny bit of oil or use cooking spray on both sides. Don’t soak them—just a light coat for crispiness.
  6. Arrange in a single layer. Place nuggets in the air fryer basket without crowding. They need space for air to circulate.
  7. Cook and flip. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Nuggets are done when the coating is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Batch as needed. If you have more nuggets than space, cook them in batches. Keep finished nuggets warm in a low oven if desired.
  9. Season and serve. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt right out of the air fryer for extra pop, and serve with your favorite dips.