Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast are made using seasoned toasted panko breadcrumbs to achieve a deep golden exterior! It has been shared over 8000 times!
Looking for more healthy air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer breaded mushrooms or air fryer chicken meatballs recipe next!
👉 This air fryer chicken nuggets recipe has been a reader favorite since I first shared the recipe in 2019. The pin image on Pinterest has garnered over 5,400 impressions and has been saved more than 1,200 times! It was updated in March 2025.
These chicken nuggets are crispy, tender, well-seasoned and much healthier than their deep-fried or store-bought nuggets!
Simplified breading - I used my tried-and-true technique of breading by tossing the chicken in a thin batter and then dredging it with seasoned parmesan breadcrumbs. It is easy and effective!
Jump to:
- Short Video
- Why Our Recipe
- Featured comments
- How to cut chicken breast into nuggets?
- How to make chicken nuggets in air fryer?
- Plain panko or toasted panko breadcrumbs?
- How to use the chicken scraps after cutting nuggets?
- Variations
- Serving suggestions
- Freezing instructions
- Recipe tips
- Baking instructions
- More air fryer chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast
Short Video
Why Our Recipe
- Crispy and crunchy exterior with a tender and juicy interior.
- Toasted panko breadcrumbs helps achieve a deep golden color
- Pop it in the freezer for easy, homemade chicken nuggets anytime!
Featured comments
From Fidget: "These were so easy and tasty. Only took 8 minutes to cook. Thanks for the recipe" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From Bridget: "I ran out of Panko after 1 cup so I used plain bread crumbs for the rest. These were so good! We had them with CFA sauce, they tasted similar to CFA nuggets" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From Becky: "This air fryer chicken nuggets turned out great! make sure to read the instructions on your specific air fryer as some of them cook a little longer. I did mine for 13 minutes at 390 degrees and they came out perfect" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Here are some photos shared by our readers who’ve tried the recipe!
To use chicken breasts - Cut one pound breast into ½ inch strips and then cut each into 2 to 3 nuggets. Learn more on cooking breasts without drying out in the blog post chicken breast recipes.
How to cut chicken breast into nuggets?
I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they make it easier to cut clean, square or rectangular pieces compared to chicken thighs. To cut nugget shapes:
- Slice the chicken breast into long strips, approximately 1 inch wide.
- Then, cut each strip into smaller pieces, around 1 inch in length, to create square nugget shapes.
If you like to achieve more uniform pieces of chicken nuggets then you will have leftover scraps of meat. Refer "how to use the chicken scraps after cutting nuggets" below!
How to make chicken nuggets in air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Plain panko or toasted panko breadcrumbs?
You can use either kind of panko—it really comes down to how you want the nuggets to look and crunch.
Plain panko gives you that classic golden color when air fried, while toasted panko takes it up a notch with a deeper golden brown and extra crunch.
If you're short on time, just use it straight from the box. But if you want to toast it, here’s how: toss 1 ½ cups of panko with a tablespoon of oil in a moderately hot skillet. Stir it constantly until it turns a nice golden color, then let it cool a bit before using. Easy upgrade!
Here is a visual guide - See the pic on the right? Look how golden and crispy those breadcrumbs are already—such a difference, right?
Pro tip - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer, leaving a bit of space around each one to allow hot air to circulate, aiding in the crispiness of the air fryer chicken nuggets. Check out more air fryer chicken recipes.
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How to use the chicken scraps after cutting nuggets?
When you’re cutting uniform nugget pieces, you’ll usually end up with some little scraps of meat from the edges—too small to bother breading and air frying on their own. But here’s a fun way to use them up:
- Toss the scraps with a teaspoon or two of flour, a pinch of salt and pepper, and just a splash of water.
- Thread a couple of the tiny pieces onto large wooden toothpicks.
- Roll them in your leftover parmesan-panko breadcrumb mix, and air fry at 400°F for about 4 minutes.
They come out super cute, totally snackable, and best of all—no waste!
👉Just be sure to take out the toothpicks before serving if kids are eating.
Variations
- Make it spicy - Stir in some cayenne pepper along with salt and pepper.
- Use chicken strips - Use boneless skinless tenders to make air fryer chicken tenders.
- Add an Italian twist - Toss in some dried oregano to the bread crumb mixture.
- Mexican twist - Toss in some taco seasoning along with salt, pepper and egg.
Serving suggestions
Serve the air fryer chicken nuggets with ranch dressing, marinara or arrabbiata sauce, Chick-fil-A Sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, ketchup or your favorite barbecue sauce for snack, lunch or as a quick and easy 30 minute chicken recipe for dinner.
Freezing instructions
Make your own healthier frozen chicken nuggets at home. Cook and cool air fryer chicken nuggets, transfer them into a freezer safe zipper bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat in microwave: Just microwave them for a couple of minutes, but keep in mind that the breading might not get crispy.
- To reheat in air fryer (preferred method): To revive the crispy coating in the chicken nuggets, re heat in pre heated 380 degree air fryer, until heated through.
Recipe tips
- Dredge well – Make sure to press bread crumb mixture well on both sides of the chicken to help it adhere well and give a thicker coating.
- Panko breadcrumbs – If you don’t have panko, then regular bread crumbs may be used. But, they won’t get as light and crispy
- Make it gluten free - Use gluten free flour and gluten free panko bread crumbs.
- Pre heat - Pre heating the air fryer before cooking them, will guarantee a perfectly crispy yet juicy air fryer chicken nuggets.
- Parmesan - Finely shredded Parmesan cheese is recommended. However, if you're using pre-shredded cheese that is very coarse, consider processing it for a few seconds in a small food processor or dry grinder.
- Don't overcrowd - Cook the chicken nuggets in two batches without over crowding, to ensure a crispy coating.
Baking instructions
- Prepare chicken nuggets as per instructions.
- Pre heat oven to 400°F.
- Place nuggets in a large baking sheet, spray a generous coating on non-stick cooking spray and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through.
More air fryer chicken recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 large)
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Breading
- 1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs toasted or regular, refer notes
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 2 pinches red pepper flakes optional
- 2 pinches dried parsley
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast into 1-inch pieces.
- Mix chicken along with lightly beaten egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl, until well combined.
- Sprinkle all purpose flour on top and toss around to coat the chicken and keep aside.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together panko, parmesan, red pepper flakes and parsley. Optional step - If you're using pre-shredded coarse parmesan, I like to briefly grind it for a few seconds before coating your chicken nuggets, for a more uniform coating.
- Working with one chicken piece at a time, dredge into the panko-parmesan mixture, turning and pressing on all sides to coat evenly and place on a large plate.
- Pre heat air fryer to 400°F. Place half the chicken nuggets into the air fryer basket, spacing evenly and spray a generous coating of non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Transfer chicken nuggets to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining nuggets.
- Serve hot with ranch dressing, ketchup, honey mustard or your favorite barbecue sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Penny Brooke
Can I just take store bought nuggets or tenders from the freezer & put them in the air fryer or do I have to thaw them or put them in the microwave first?
Maria Doss
Hi Penny, You could absolutely use frozen nuggets. To reheat frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer, place them in a single layer (do not thaw or microwave), in a pre heated 400°F air fryer and cook for 8 mins. Flip over and continue cooking for an additional 2 to 4 minutes (the time will depend on the quantity used), until heated through. Hope it helps, Maria
Michelle
I followed this to a T, using my Bella Pro Series air fryer, and they are INCREDIBLE. I 100% overate and didn’t need sauce or a side (although I did stir together ketchup, mayo and bbq). I also used a glove for the breading process and watched a video while doing so because… that’s a lot of nuggets. 🤣 Thank you for this recipe!!! 10/10 recommend!!!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Dan
Can you freeze and reheat these?
Maria Doss
Hi Dan, Absolutely! Place cooked and cooled nuggets in a zip lock bag, seal and freeze for up to a month. To reheat - place frozen chicken nuggets (do not thaw) in a pre heated 400°F air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Turn over and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.Hope it helps - Apologies for a late reply, Maria
Meg
After you freeze these, how long would you reheat and st what temp in a conventional oven (not an air fryer)?
Thanks,
Meg
Maria Doss
Hi Meg, Bake in a preheated 375°F for 9 to 15 minutes (time depends on the quantity of nuggets). Have a wonderful day - Maria
Amy Burke
These came out really good. Thanks so much!
Maria Doss
Hi Amy, Happy to hear, Maria
rick reed
Can the boneless chicken be marinated prior to coating with panko ? Any suggestions? Thanks
Maria Doss
@rick reed, Chicken can be tossed in egg, salt, pepper and refrigerated for up to a day. Stir in flour and then bread crumb coating just before air frying. Hope it helps - Apologies for the late reply, Maria
Mimi
Thank you my kids loved these
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! Wishing you a very happy new year - Maria ♡
Jack
What setting on the air fryer would you use? Air crisp? Bake/roast?
Maria Doss
Hi Jack, I use the "Air Fry" setting, Maria
Kara
These are delicious! I put all the ingredients in a ziplock and shook it and it turned out great. We made some copycat chick fil a sauce to go with it 😋
Maria Doss
Hi Kara, Sounds wonderful hun - Maria
Tonya Loper-Barnard
Just got my air fryer and tried this recipe first. Super easy and simple and very delicious!! Was not sure about the air fryer but I'm all for it now!
Thank You!
Maria Doss
Hi Tonya, Glad you enjoyed it hun, have a wonderful week - Maria
Amy
I use this for the quail my son brings home and he loves it!
Maria Doss
Glad to hear, have a wonderful week hun - Maria
Melissa
These were fantastic! Much better than deep fried. The breading gave me no issues with staying on (which is huge plus, too). I have a Chefman air fryer that cooks on the low side, so 10 minutes at 400 degrees was perfect for me.
Maria Doss
Happy to hear hun, have a wonderful day - Maria
Denise
Thanks for the wonderful recipe! I had run out of panko crumbs so I used croutons and some crackers instead. Really really good!
Maria Doss
Glad to hear, have a great weekend hun - Maria
Shelby Davis
Hi! Do you know how these would turn out if I didn’t use the cheese??
Maria Doss
Hi Shelby, This will work out perfect without the cheese, however you will miss the nutty and complex flavor, and texture that parmesan adds to the breading. Hole it helps - Maria
Rebekah
Quick, easy and tasty!!! Will be making again! Thanks!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Cameron Fields
Would this work without the flour?
Maria Doss
It will work, however the flour helps the breading adhere better to the chicken. Hope it helps - Maria