Cooking frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer is so quick and easy! Ready in minutes, they come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. It’s an easy dinner or snack that the whole family will love.
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Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets are perfect for a quick and easy meal or snack. They cook straight from frozen and come out crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, with no oil needed. Serve them with your favorite dips for an easy kids' dinner, appetizer or game day snack.
Make sure to try these Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs and this Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu too, or browse more Air Fryer Recipes and Chicken Recipes.
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: These chicken bites take no time and effort and are ready within minutes.
- No oil needed: Frozen chicken nuggets already have a breaded coating, so there’s no need to add extra oil to get them crispy.
- Great for a crowd: You can make multiple batches and quickly whip up a delicious snack for a crowd, especially for game nights.
- Simple ingredients: You only need your favorite frozen chicken nuggets and some dips or sauces to pair them with.
Ingredients
You only need one ingredient — your favorite frozen chicken nuggets! Brands like Tyson, Bell & Evans, Kroger and Perdue all work well, as do gluten-free and plant-based nuggets.
Different brands, sizes and thicknesses can cook at slightly different rates, so use the cooking time as a guide and adjust as needed.
How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F / 200c. Place the frozen chicken nuggets in a single even layer in the air fryer basket (photo 1).
- Air fry for 12 minutes until hot, golden brown and crispy. There's no need to flip them halfway through (photo 2).
Serving Suggestions
Serve these air fryer chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce for an easy snack or appetizer. Try them with Creamy Dill Pickle Sauce or Spicy Hot Honey Sauce.
For an easy meal, add fries or serve them with a simple vegetable side like Roasted Balsamic Broccoli.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep them in a single layer where possible so that the hot air can circulate and crisp them evenly. A little overlap is fine, but avoid overcrowding the basket.
No. Cook the chicken nuggets straight from frozen — there's no need to thaw them first.
You'll achieve the best result with a preheated air fryer. You can also skip the preheating and cook the nuggets for an additional few minutes until golden brown. Keep in mind that different air fryer models can vary.
Air fry frozen chicken nuggets at 400F / 200c for 12 minutes. Brand, size and thickness of the nuggets, as well as the air fryer model can affect cooking times. Check the nuggets at 10 minutes for doneness.
No. There's no need to add or spray oil; the breading will crisp as the nuggets cook.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
Air fried frozen chicken bites are best enjoyed straight away but if you have leftovers they can be stored in a closed container or covered with wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat for 5 minutes in the air fryer at 400F / 200C. I recommend only reheating them once for the best result.
Tried these air fryer frozen chicken nuggets? Leave a star rating and let me know what you thought!
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 frozen chicken nuggets (your favorite brand)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F / 200c.
- Once preheated, place the frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Set to cook at 400F / 200c for 12 minutes.
- Remove when crispy and golden brown.
Notes
- For best results, preheat your air fryer before adding the ingredients. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, run it at 400F / 200c for 5 minutes before adding them in.
- Cook the nuggets in a single layer. If you need to cook them in a couple of batches, you can keep the cooked ones in a warm oven until ready to serve.
- If the nuggets slightly overlap in the basket, you'll need to flip them over halfway through the cooking to achieve the best result.
- The cooking time is a guide, as air fryer models can vary. Check for doneness after about 10 minutes.
- Nutritional values will vary depending on what brand of chicken nuggets you use.
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