These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with chicken breast turn out perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I use seasoned, toasted panko breadcrumbs, which make these homemade bites extra crunchy and delicious!
5 Star Reviews
One reader Fidget writes, "These were so easy and tasty. Only took 8 minutes to cook. Thanks for the recipe" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another reader Bridget writes, "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" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A collage of reader photos who tried the recipe—love these!
These homemade air fried nuggets are super crispy, tender, and full of flavor—plus way healthier than the deep-fried or store-bought bites!
I used my go-to method: tossing the chicken chunks in a light batter, then coating it in seasoned parmesan breadcrumbs. So easy, and it works every time!
Jump to:
- 5 Star Reviews
- Short Video
- Reasons to love
- How to cut a chicken breast into nuggets?
- Plain panko or toasted panko breadcrumbs for breading chicken?
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast
- How to make breaded chicken nuggets in air fryer?
- What to do with chicken scraps after cutting nuggets?
- Variations
- Serving suggestions
- How to freeze homemade chicken nuggets
- Recipe tips
- How to bake in the oven
- More breaded chicken breast recipes
Short Video
Reasons to love
- Air-fried to crispy, golden perfection on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside!
- Toasted panko breadcrumbs give them that deep, golden breaded crunch
- Freeze a batch for easy, homemade nuggets anytime to reheat in the air fryer
- And yes — they're incredibly moist and flavorful, even with chicken breast!
How to cut a 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 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 cubes, then you will have leftover scraps of breast meat. Don't toss them! I like to thread them into small skewers, bread, and then air fry (more details below) - They are totally adorable finger food for the kids!
Plain panko or toasted panko breadcrumbs for breading chicken?
You can use either kind of panko—it really comes down to how you want the air fryer chicken 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 color 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?
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.
How to make breaded 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.
Pro tip - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken pieces 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 fried nuggets. Check out more air fryer chicken recipes.
What to do with chicken scraps after cutting nuggets?
When you’re cutting uniform chicken cubes, 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 breast 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.
- 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 dinner.
How to freeze homemade chicken nuggets
Make your own healthier frozen nuggets at home. Transfer them into a freezer safe zipper bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer
- Microwave: Pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Quick and easy, but the breading won’t be as crispy.
- Air Fryer (recommended method): For that crispy breading, reheat in a preheated air fryer at 380°F until heated through. It brings back that freshly fried crunch!
Recipe tips
- Dredge well – Make sure to press the bread crumb mixture well on both sides of the chicken bites 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 gluten-free bites - Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
- 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.
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How to bake in the oven
- Prepare 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 breaded chicken breast recipes
Here are more easy and delicious breaded chicken breast recipes that are perfect for any night of the week!
- Air fryer chicken tenders is so easy, crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside and bursting with irresistible garlic parmesan flavor.
- Baked breaded chicken cutlets are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, meal prep, or to use in chicken sandwiches and salads.
- Buffalo chicken tenders achieve crispy perfection and are then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce that is creamy and spicy.
- Air fryer chicken parmesan recipe is the absolute best! Ready in under 30 minutes, it features crispy chicken cutlets, smothered in marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
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
Cynthia
Hello, can I use cooked chicken breast? Thanks.
Maria Doss
Hi Cynthia, Sorry, I’m not sure I understand—are you asking if you can cut cooked chicken breast into chunks and then air fry them to make them look like nuggets?- Maria
Cynthia
Hi Maria,
Yes, I would like to know if I can cut cooked chicken breast into chunks instead of raw chicken breast, coating them with egg, dipping them in panko/parmesan, and then air-frying them to make them look like nuggets. Thanks.