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Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are tastier and healthier than take-out, and you are going to love them. This bite-sized air fryer popcorn chicken is marinated in buttermilk so it’s tender and juicy, then seasoned to perfection and air fried until hot and crispy. Air fryer nuggets are perfect for the whole family.
Popcorn chicken is a kid-approved favorite because it’s fun to eat. This popcorn chicken air fryer recipe is mom-approved because it’s healthier than take-out options. Perfect as a snack or a meal, air fryer chicken nuggets are made with less oil but still have all the crunch of deep fried nuggets. These nuggets can be made in under an hour (including marinating time) and can easily be reheated from the fridge or freezer, so they are perfect for meal prep.
Does your family love bite-sized chicken? Try my Crispy Honey Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Asian Chicken, Garlic Butter Mushroom Chicken Bites.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Nugget Recipe
- It’s kid-approved. Air fryer nuggets are bite-sized and perfect for dipping, so kids love them. They make a great afterschool snack.
- It’s healthy. This popcorn chicken air fryer recipe is made with just a few spritzes of cooking oil. They are way healthier than fried chicken nuggets.
- It’s easy to make. Just coat the chicken and let the air fryer do the work. There is no hot oil to babysit, and it’s easy to make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for easy snacks and meals on another night.
Ingredients of Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken: Cut chicken tenders into bite size pieces. You can also use chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the meat. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can mix 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice into milk and allow it to clabber before soaking the chicken.
- Salt and Pepper: Add salt and pepper to the buttermilk to season the chicken while it marinates.
- Cornstarch: Dredging first in cornstarch will help you get really crispy chicken.
- Eggs: Bring the eggs to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Flour: All-purpose flour will add crunch to the breading mixture. Use gluten free flour if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper create a flavorful crust for the nuggets.
- Parsley: For garnish.
How To Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets in The Air Fryer
- Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl marinate the chicken pieces with buttermilk, salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the stations: In a small bowl place the cornstarch and keep it aside. In another bowl whisk the eggs with a fork and keep it aside. In a plate combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix everything together and keep it aside.
- Coat the chicken: First dredge the marinated chicken in cornstarch, then in egg mixture and finally in the flour mixture. Coat the chicken pieces evenly and shake the excess flour if any. Repeat the same with the remaining chicken pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare the equipment: Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Cook the chicken: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and top with cooking spray again. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until they turn crispy and golden. Flip the chicken halfway through until it is completely cooked.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the popcorn chicken with fresh parsley and serve with ranch or ketchup.
Tips To Make Air Fried Chicken Nuggets
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to about 6 hours.
- Make buttermilk by mixing 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice with milk.
- Preheating the air fryer will give you the crispiest chicken nuggets.
- Don’t crowd the chicken. Leave space between the nuggets and cook in batches if needed.
- Don’t forget to flip the nuggets halfway through the cooking time.
- Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F.
- Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal or snack later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place chicken into a 390 degrees F air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
Flipping is necessary to help the chicken get golden and crispy on all sides.
Check out my Crispy Oven Baked Popcorn Chicken recipe to make these nuggets in the oven.
Store leftover popcorn chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 400 degrees F air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating from frozen, you may need to add a few minutes to the time.
Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for easy meals and snacks later on. Place the chicken on a baking tray and freeze until solid. Place the pieces into a freezer bag or freezer proof container for up to 3 months. Just remove and reheat what you need.
Chicken nuggets need to be dipped, so I always serve a selection of dipping sauces. You can also serve these with Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Crispy Potato Wedges, or Cheesy Broccoli Bites.
More Kid-Approved Chicken Recipes
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
- Creamy White Chicken Chili
- Chicken Margherita Skillet
- Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders, cut into bite size pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Salt and pepper, to season the chicken in buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 whole eggs
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt , for flour mixture
- ½ tsp black pepper, for flour mixture
- Chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl marinate the chicken pieces with buttermilk, salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl place the cornstarch and keep it aside.
- In another bowl whisk the eggs with a fork and keep it aside.
- In a plate combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix everything together and keep it aside.
- First dredge the marinated chicken in cornstarch, then in egg mixture and finally in the flour mixture. Coat the chicken pieces evenly and shake the excess flour if any.
- Repeat the same with the remaining chicken pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and top with cooking spray again.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes until they turn crispy and golden. Flip the chicken halfway through until it is completely cooked.
- Garnish the popcorn chicken with fresh parsley and serve with ranch or ketchup.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to about 6 hours.
- Make buttermilk by mixing 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice with milk.
- Preheating the air fryer will give you the crispiest chicken nuggets.
- Don’t crowd the chicken. Leave space between the nuggets and cook in batches if needed.
- Don’t forget to flip the nuggets halfway through the cooking time.
- Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F.
- Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal or snack later on.
