Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Print-Friendly Format)

Juicy, golden chicken nuggets with crunchy breading made quickly in the air fryer, ideal for quick family meals.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 454 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 2 medium-sized pieces)

→ Breading

02 - 65 g all-purpose flour
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 95 g plain dry breadcrumbs

→ For air frying

10 - 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado oil or vegetable oil)

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Whisk eggs with 2 tablespoons water in a separate bowl until evenly blended. Set aside.
03 - Mix breadcrumbs with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a separate shallow bowl. Stir well and set aside.
04 - Slice chicken breasts into approximately 3.8 cm pieces for even cooking.
05 - Work in batches; dredge chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, ensuring all sides are covered. Shake off excess flour.
06 - Transfer floured chicken to the egg mixture. Toss to coat, letting excess drip away.
07 - Dredge egg-coated chicken pieces in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. Arrange on a clean plate in a single layer.
08 - Brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Preheat air fryer to 200°C for 3–5 minutes.
09 - Place breaded chicken in the air fryer in a single layer. Gently brush or dab tops and sides of each piece with oil.
10 - Cook for 8 minutes at 200°C, flipping halfway and brushing the tops with additional oil. Continue cooking until golden and the internal temperature reaches at least 74°C. If needed, cook in 2-minute increments until done.

# Additional Information:

01 - Diamond Crystal Kosher salt is lighter than Morton Kosher salt; adjust measurements if substituting.
02 - Avoid coating fingers with batter by assigning one hand to dry ingredients and the other to the egg wash.
03 - Cooking times may vary by air fryer model; check internal temperature for doneness.
04 - Cooking sprays containing soy lecithin can lead to a sticky residue on nonstick surfaces; opt for lecithin-free spray or oil mister if desired.

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