Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 30 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
OTHER TOOLS: food processor or chopper
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 5

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Air fryer chicken nuggets are homemade with simple, real ingredients. There’s no mystery meat or a paragraph of extra ingredients like you’ll find with frozen nuggets.
Yes, it’s possible to get crispy, golden nuggets without deep frying or incorporating lots of extra preservatives! The air fryer develops a perfect crust and makes a much healthier option than traditional frying.
This recipe is kid-friendly and picky-eater approved. Perfect for a family meal, appetizer, or snack! In fact, this recipe even made it into my family’s top-ranked chicken nuggets (yes, we’re really that serious about our nuggets around here!).
The air fryer is such a quick method to get tasty results. With chicken tenders, the meat cooks quickly, but every bite will be juicy and delicious!
Homemade nuggets are easy to customize with different seasonings and coatings. Plus, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free so you can adjust accordingly.

Ingredients Needed

Boneless skinless chicken breast tenders – Chicken tenders, or tenderloins, are thin strips of meat that are each removed from the underside of a chicken breast. They are usually sold separately from the other cuts and are definitely worth the cost for super-tender bites! Defrost the chicken before preparing the chicken nuggets.
Eggs – A couple of eggs will make the wash that helps the coating stick to the chicken.
Potato chips – This is the key to crispy crunch (and the best way to use up those potato chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag)! You can choose any flavor or brand that you like! If you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with other savory chips, such as BBQ or cheddar-flavored potato chips.
Panko breadcrumbs – I use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, but regular breadcrumbs will work just fine, too! I love that it’s easy to adjust this for dietary preferences and keep the crispy exterior all the same.
Herb and garlic seasoning – Herb and garlic is a good neutral blend that still provides plenty of flavor. My favorite brand is McCormick Garlic, Herb and Black Pepper and Sea Salt All Purpose Seasoning. Choose your favorite blend or a particular seasoning profile if you like.
Avocado oil spray – Use your preferred spray to add a nonstick element to the basket and to crisp up the nuggets.

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts tenders 2 eggs 2 oz potato chips 2 oz 1 teaspoon on counter ready to make air fryer chicken nuggets

How To Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets In The Air Fryer

Slice chicken tenders into thirds lengthwise (making them nugget size).
Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth.

Crush chips, breadcrumbs, and seasoning into the consistency of fine crumbs using a food processor or chopper.

Chips in food processor next to panko crumbs and seasoning

Spray the basket of the air fryer generously with avocado spray.
Dip chicken into the egg wash, then into the crumb coating.

Raw chicken, panko crumbs, and beaten egg on counter ready to prepare recipe

Raw chicken, panko crumbs, and beaten egg on counter ready to prepare recipe chicken dipping into egg

Place the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer.

Panko crumbs covered chicken tenders going into air fryer to be cooked

Spray the nuggets generously with avocado spray.
Cook at 380 ℉ for 10-12 minutes, flipping once, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets ready in basket

Pro Tips

I like to use panko breadcrumbs since they create a lighter, crunchier texture than traditional breadcrumbs.
To ensure a crispy exterior, blend the breadcrumbs with the potato chips, which also deepens the flavor!
A couple of other things will help ensure crispness: lightly spray the nuggets with avocado oil spray and allow space for air circulation.
Use a mini chopper to pulse the coating ingredients quickly and evenly. The Ninja Food Chopper is my personal favorite!
Flip the nuggets halfway through to ensure even browning on both sides. Use tongs to keep the coating intact.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 ℉.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets on parchment paper and wooden cutting board

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken tenders are an easy option, but this recipe also works with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken thighs will be juicier, and chicken breasts will be leaner.

Flavor the breading with some of these simple swaps!

Add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs and chips for extra flavor.
Try different potato chip flavors such as BBQ, sour cream and onion, cheddar, or other fun seasonal options!

Customize the nuggets for different cuisines by adding seasonings like Italian seasoning, Cajun spice, or garlic powder to the coating.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets in the Oven

Preheat oven to 400 ℉.
Place nuggets on a baking rack over a sheet pan.
Lightly spray the nuggets with oil.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.

What To Serve With Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Of course, you don’t have to explain yourself if you make a meal out of just chicken nuggets. However, if you want to round out your plate, I have some good options!

Homemade chicken nuggets are instantly elevated with yummy dipping sauces. Make a couple of different ones for buffet-style serving, or double a batch of your favorite to keep in the fridge! Your options are endless with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, Cajun Dipping Sauce, ranch, buffalo, Chick-fil-A copycat sauce, Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce… and so on!

Add a side of Crispy Frozen French Fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, or maybe a bowl of Creamy White Cheddar Mac And Cheese and a side salad! Finish your plate with some veggie sticks, or serve your nuggets over a salad or in a wrap for a “grown-up” meal option.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets being dipped into honey mustard ready to eat

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing due to texture changes in the breading.

For best reheating results, use the air fryer and reheat at 350℉ for 3–5 minutes to maintain crispiness. You can also use the oven to reheat at 375℉ for 8–10 minutes. (I would avoid the microwave since it tends to make the coating soggy.)