Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

This air fryer chicken nuggets recipe is quick and easy to make with canned chicken. The result is deliciously crispy nugs with no breading needed! They make a great high protein snack, appetizer, or simple meal paired with a couple sides.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe, Air Fryer Nuggets, Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer, Chicken Nuggets No Breading, Keto Chicken Nuggets, Keto Chicken Nuggets with Canned Chicken

Prep Time 12

Cook Time 8

Servings servings

Calories 141kcal

Author Faith Gorsky

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

12.5 ounces canned chicken drained
1 large egg
1/3 cup pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil or vegetable oil

Optional Dipping Sauce Ideas:

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Mix. Add all ingredients (except the oil) to a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.
Shape. Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure out the mixture. Roll each into a ball, and then flatten each into a chicken nugget.
Arrange. Preheat the air fryer to 400F. Once hot, brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the nuggets in the air fryer basket so they don’t touch and brush the top of each with oil. (TIP: You may need to cook these in batches depending on how big your air fryer is.)
Cook. Air fry until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes (there’s no need to flip).
Enjoy. Serve warm with any dipping sauces you like.

Notes

Net Carbs: 1g per serving (4 nuggets = 1 serving)
Recipe Yield and Serving Size: This recipe makes 16 to 18 chicken nuggets; each serving is 4 nuggets for about 4 servings.
Nutritional Information: The nutrition information for this recipe was calculated without the optional dipping sauces.
Don’t Add Salt: These nuggets are made with canned chicken and cheese, which both have salt. They are definitely salty enough without adding more salt!
For Spicy Chicken Nuggets: Add cayenne pepper to taste along with the other seasonings. I recommend starting with 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and working up from there.
Storage: Store leftover air fryer chicken nuggets in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze them layered between pieces of parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To keep chicken nuggets crispy, you can reheat them in the air fryer or the oven.
- You can reheat chicken nuggets from the fridge. To do so, heat them in a 350F air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes, or in a 375F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. (For even heating, flip them over halfway through.)
- Also, you can reheat frozen chicken nuggets without thawing them first. To do so, heat them in a 400F air fryer for 6 to 10 minutes, or in a 400F oven for about 15 minutes. (For even heating, flip them over halfway through.)

How to Make Chicken Nuggets in the Oven Instead of the Air Fryer:

Prep. Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat and lightly brush with oil or spray with cooking spray.
Bake. Arrange the nuggets on the prepared baking tray. Bake until crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Nutrition