Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Crispy and tender, these air fryer chicken nuggets are quite simply the best! Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and so quick and easy to make, they are the perfect appetizer!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour divided
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 cup breadcrumbs store-bought or homemade (see below)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2×2-inch chunks

Recommended Equipment

• Air Fryer (click for my favorite)

Instructions

For the Breadcrumbs

• Depending on the size of the bread, you can make your own bread crumbs from about four slices of bread. Place bread in the basket, and set time for about 5-7 minutes at 350°F, flipping over halfway. The air fryer makes the bread very crisp! I put my bread into the food processor, and in just about 30 seconds, I had perfect, fresh breadcrumbs. (Four slices equaled one cup almost exactly.)

For the Chicken Nuggets

1. Using a pastry brush, brush half of the oil onto the basket of your air fryer. This will keep the batter from sticking to the basket as it cooks. Set the basket aside.2 tablespoons olive oil
2. Set out 3 small bowls. Add ½ cup of flour to one bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup flour, milk, and seasonings. Fill the third bowl with the breadcrumbs. Place the bowls next to each other for easy dipping.1 cup all-purpose flour,½ cup milk,1 teaspoon kosher salt,½ teaspoon ground black pepper,½ teaspoon ground paprika,1 cup breadcrumbs
3. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4. From the flour mixture, move the nugget to the milk/seasonings mixture and toss to coat.
5. Finally, coat each piece with breadcrumbs and place it into the oiled air fryer basket without stacking.
6. Repeat coating for each piece, until all are covered and in the basket (note: don’t crowd the basket. You may need to air fry in batches).
7. Brush the nuggets with the remaining oil. Select chicken, make sure the temperature is 380°F, and cook on each side for 7 minutes. If you prefer extra crispy, you can cook an additional minute on each side.
8. Serve Immediately.