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 nuggets extra crunchy and delicious.
Looking for more easy air fryer chicken recipes? Try my air fryer chicken tenders or the air fryer chicken parmesan recipe.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
🕒 Ready In: ~25 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 Servings
🧑🍳 Main Ingredients: Chicken breasts, egg, panko bread crumbs, flour and seasonings
📖 Dietary Info: High protein and healthy
📌 Difficulty: Quick and easy
Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken nuggets?
The air fryer makes it effortless. The hot circulating air creates that golden, crispy exterior without deep frying. For even more crunch, I like to lightly toast the panko first—it adds a deeper golden color and an extra layer of crispiness that makes a big difference.
My go-to breading method is simple: toss the chicken breast pieces in a light egg coating, then dredge them in seasoned parmesan breadcrumbs. It’s easy, reliable, and delivers perfect nuggets every time.
- maria doss
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!
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why you’ll love these air fryer chicken nuggets?
- 5 Star Reviews
- Tips for Success
- More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast
- How to cut a chicken breast into nuggets?
- How to make chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
- Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More easy breaded chicken recipes
- You may also like
Homemade chicken nuggets are surprisingly easy to make—and so much better than the greasy, store-bought kind. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with real flavor without all the additives. Honestly, they taste better than fast food.
Tips for Success
- 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 it gluten-free - 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.
- Chicken thighs - You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts. The pieces may not look as uniform, but thighs are more forgiving—so even if they cook a little longer than intended, they’ll stay juicy and tender.
- Don't overcrowd - Cook them in batches without over crowding, to ensure a crispy coating.
- Serving suggestion - Ranch dressing, marinara or arrabbiata sauce, Chick-fil-A Sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, ketchup or your favorite barbecue sauce
- To freeze - The air fried nuggets can be frozen for upto 2 months.
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets with Chicken Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds 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
- Prep chicken. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch size pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the lightly beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Toss well until each piece is evenly coated. Sprinkle the flour on top and toss around to coat the chicken, and keep aside.
- Mix breadcrumbs. In a separate shallow bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley until evenly combined. 👉 If you’re using pre-shredded Parmesan, briefly pulse it in a food processor to make it finer. A finer texture helps the coating stick better and gives the nuggets a more uniform crust.
- Coat the chicken. Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the panko-Parmesan mixture. Turn and gently press on all sides to ensure an even coating, then transfer to a large plate.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange half of the chicken nuggets in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer the cooked nuggets to a plate and repeat with the remaining batch.
- Serve. 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 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 - They are totally adorable finger food for the kids!
How to make chicken nuggets in the air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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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 or use Italian-style panko breadcrumbs.
- Mexican twist - Toss in some taco seasoning along with salt, pepper and egg.
- Add coconut. Skip the parmesan and add unsweetened shredded coconut to the panko breadcrumb mixture. It's delicious with honey mustard.
- Make kid-friendly shapes - Cut the breast into 1-inch strips, and then use small cookie cutters cut out stars, hearts, or dinosaurs to make nuggets more fun for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Microwave: Place the nuggets on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1–2 minutes. Quick and convenient, but the coating will lose its crispiness.
Air Fryer (Recommended): Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Reheat the nuggets until warmed through—about 3–5 minutes depending on size. This method restores their golden, crispy exterior without drying them out.
💡 Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket; leaving space between nuggets keeps them extra crunchy.
If your air fryer chicken nuggets aren’t turning out crispy, it usually comes down to one or more of these common issues:
Overcrowding the basket – Air fryers need space for hot air to circulate. Crowding the nuggets can make them steam instead of crisping up.
Too much moisture – Pat chicken pieces dry before breading. Excess moisture prevents the coating from crisping.
Skipping oil spray – Even a light mist of cooking spray helps the coating brown and crisp.
Coating not pressed firmly – Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken so they stick; loose crumbs won’t crisp properly.
Incorrect temperature – Make sure the air fryer is preheated and hot enough to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior.
💡 Pro Tip: Toasting panko breadcrumbs lightly before coating adds an extra crunch that holds up well in the air fryer.
If the breading isn’t sticking, it’s usually due to one of these reasons:
Chicken wasn’t coated properly: Make sure each piece is evenly coated with egg batter before dredging in breadcrumbs. The egg helps the coating adhere.
Breadcrumbs weren’t pressed: Gently press the coating onto the chicken so it sticks. Loose crumbs won’t stay during cooking.
Chicken too wet: Pat the chicken dry before dipping. Excess moisture can cause the coating to slide off.
Overcrowding the air fryer: Nuggets touching each other can trap steam, making the coating soggy and prone to falling off.
More easy breaded chicken recipes
This is the best air fryer chicken nuggets recipe you are looking for! 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.
MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💚 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love to hear your feedback! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Facebook.
Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
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.